As Sure as the Sunrise

Published in Pasugo, Aug 2005

Sunrise is sure every morning. Daybreak follows even the darkest of nights. Even if there is a hurricane, the sun still rises above the thick clouds. To this certainty is likened God’s continuous love, mercy, and sure blessings to persons dear to Him – those whom He considers as His friends:

“The LORD’S unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” (Lam. 3:22-23, Today’s English Version)

But, how can we become His friends?

THE VALUE OF friendship can never be overstated. It is one of the things we cannot do without. God, through the Bible, says, “Two are better off than one… If one of them falls down, the other can help him up…” (Eccles. 4:9-10, Today’s English Version). In fact, the feelings of happiness and security that are derived from true friendship even manifest in healthy living. This fact, among others, shows how valuable friendship is in man’s life.

Friendship, apart from the love and companionship one gets within one’s family, is also a common theme of movies, novels, poems, and songs. Lyrics about it in many songs stay with one long after one has heard them.

True and untrue friends
When asked, “Whom do you consider as true friends?”, you would probably describe them as those who empathize and stay with you when all else have left; those without whom you feel incomplete, etc. And, for many, true friendship does not fade with the years gone by. The Bible describes some friends as “more loyal than brothers” (Prov. 18:24, Ibid.).

On the other hand, who is an untrue friend? The one who befriends you because of the gifts you give or favors you do (Prov. 19:4, 6, New Life Testament); betrays your trust or lifts his heel against you (Ps. 41:9, New International Version); sets a trap for you (Ps. 142:3, Living Bible); lets you down (Prov. 18:19, Ibid.); forgets, detests, and turns against you when you are down (Job 19:14, 19, NIV); whose friendship does not last (Prov. 18:24, TEV), among others.

The best friend
Since human friendships are fragile and not without flaws, we must choose carefully those whom we will trust and rely on as our friends. And we need to realize that, above anyone else, there is Someone whom we should fully trust because His love never fails, never grows cold, and can never be equaled. He is God, the truly best friend one can have. His compassion never wanes and His faithfulness never changes. He has sure promises to those who are dear to Him:

“… I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” (Heb. 13:5-6, Ibid.)

“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace …” (Isa. 54:10, Ibid.)

“… My salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.” (Isa. 51:6, NIV)

Moreover, people who are dear to God are certainly fortunate because “the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry” (Ps. 34:15, Ibid.). “We can trust God to keep his promise” (Heb. 10:23, TEV) because He does not lie; He does and is able to do anything that He promises. Think about it – having the Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, as your friend:

“God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing…” (Heb 13:5-6, Jerusalem Bible)

Abraham: ‘God’s friend forever’
The possibility of God’s befriending a person is shown by the relationship between Him and Abraham, the forebear of the nation of Israel. Abraham came from the ancient city of Ur, and God had called him to serve Him.

What were some of the characteristics of Abraham that endeared him to God?

He obeyed God unconditionally. When called by Him to leave his homeland and his relatives, he obeyed “not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8).

He worshipped God always. As a true servant, he worshipped Him even while in his journeys (Gen. 13:3-4, 18).

He was loyal to Him. He made tedious and dangerous journeys in foreign and uncharted lands just to obey God. Although he and his wife experienced famine, “they did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return” (Heb. 11:15, TEV)

He had an unwavering faith, coupled with and proven by works. He fully believed in God’s promise that he would father a son and a great nation, though he was already almost 100 years old an his wife was barren (James 2:20-24).

He maintained his obedience to God’s will. When God commanded Abraham to offer to Him as a burnt sacrifice his only son, Isaac, he again obeyed unconditionally. Abraham would have offered his beloved son in this manner had not an angel stopped him from doing it; with that, he passed God’s test.

Because of his faith God accepted him as righteous. And so, God called him His friend (James 2:23) and He Himself said, “Abraham My friend” (Isa. 41:8, New King James Version).

Being undeniably the best friend Abraham ever had, God fulfilled His promises to him. He provided for him and his wife when they were in dire need – when there was famine in the land, He blessed them (Gen. 22:3, 10-20, Ibid.) Eventually, he was made a great nation.

But most important, he and his faithful descendants, breathed their last with a hope in the promised “heavenly country,” and “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:16, Ibid.)

David: ‘A man after God’s own heart’
Another biblical figure who became intimately familiar with the friendship of God was David of Israel:

“He [God] testified concerning him: ‘I have found David … a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’.” (Acts 13:22, NIV)

David, who was a fugitive because of severe persecution by a king, firmly placed his complete trust and hope in God:

“When I look beside me, I see that there is no one to help me, no one to protect me. No one cares for me. LORD, I cry to you for help; you, LORD are my protector; You are all I want in this life.

“I call to the LORD for help; I plead with him. I bring him all my complaints; I tell him all my troubles. When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do.” (Ps. 142:4-5, 1-3, TEV)

David grieved bitterly, yet did not lose hope. He approached God through fervent prayers and God helped him. He raised him up. Eventually, this once lowly shepherd was willed by Him to replace the very king who wronged him.

Paul, the steadfast Christian
Apostle Paul was imprisoned because of his preaching. In that situation, he could no longer expect help from anyone. But God did not forsake Him. Paul says:

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. … But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength … And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” (II Tim. 4:16-17, NIV)

He further declared his conviction and clearly defined what he set his sight on:

“The LORD will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. …” (II Tim. 4:18, Ibid.)

Hence, God’s friends place their complete hope and trust in the One who is different from those whom the people of the world usually seek out and rely upon for help. They have the love and friendship of God.

Becoming God’s friends, too
How can we become God’s friends, too? Apostle Paul says:

“But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.” (Col. 1:22, TEV, emphasis ours)

Apostle Paul explains further:

“But God has shown how much he loves us – it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us! … We were God’s enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son.” (Rom. 5:8, 10, Ibid., emphasis ours)

Apostle Paul explains that “Christ loved the church and gave his life for it” (Eph. 5:25, Ibid.). It is therefore imperative for us to know for whom Christ died, who did He purchased or redeem with His shed blood. Apostle Paul specifies that it is “the church of Christ which he [Christ] has purchased with his blood” (Acts 20:28. Lamsa Translation).

The members of the Church of Christ are the ones for whom Christ died. Therefore, they were “brought near [to God] through the shedding of Christ’s blood” (Eph. 2:13, New English Bible). They were cleansed or forgiven of their sins (Heb. 9:14; Eph. 1:7), and hence, became God’s friends.

God’s friends are also Christ’s
Moreover, how can we be among Christ’s friends? The Lord Jesus Christ says:

“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14, NKJV)

One of His commandments is clearly stated in John 10:9:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …” (Revised English Bible)

Being “the door,” Christ commands us to come into the fold or to “enter by Him” (NKJV) for us to be saved. The fold or flock being referred to is the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). The members, therefore, of this Church are God’s friends in the Christian era. They are the ones referred to by Apostle Paul when he said, “He [God] made us his friends through the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:10, TEV).

Those who obey Christ, because they are now God’s friends, are assured that their prayers will be granted (John 15:16).

Reciprocating God’s love
Let us also remember that the relationship between two true friends is a “two-way street”. Love must be reciprocated with love. Selfishness has no room in true friendships. Even in our relationship with God, it is evil to be but receivers of good things from Him without reciprocating Him with obedience, with things that glorify Him. God says, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name” (Ps. 91:14, LB).

God reasonably demands of us loyalty, fidelity, trust, holy fear, and genuine love, which are proven by our obedience to His will. If we have these distinguishing characteristics and we belong to the Church that was redeemed by Christ through His blood, then we are truly friends of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. These promises will also be for us:

“The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. The good man suffers many troubles, but the LORD saves him from them all; the LORD preserves him completely …” (Ps. 34:17-20, TEV)

We can also hope for the Lord Jesus Christ’s promise that on that great day we will see Him:

“… Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22, NIV)

Is there such a thing as God’s chosen people?

Published in Pasugo, Jul 2002



THE TEACHING THAT there is a select group given the right to worship God is so unpopular in today’s society in which all beliefs are accepted as being equal. In fact, any group claiming that they are the only true Church is automatically looked upon with disdain. But is this teaching of an elect group chosen by God against the Bible? Is it true, as many suppose, that everyone has the right to worship God?

Prophet Isaiah long ago declared the consequence of mankind’s sins:

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Is. 59:2, New King James Version)

As a result of sin, mankind’s inherent right to serve God was lost. No matter how much they called upon God, He will no longer accept their services. This became everyone’s dire situation because all people, with the exception of Jesus Christ, sinned (Rom. 5:12; I Pt. 2:21-22).

Who then can call upon God and be heard? King David stated in his psalms the following:

“Remember that the LORD has chosen the righteous for his own, and he hears me when I call to him.” (Ps. 4:3, Today’s English Version)

This is the importance of the election from God. Only those chosen will be heard by Him. That is why for any organization or church to have the right to serve God, it must be chosen by Him. What people don’t realize is that this has been God’s policy ever since ancient times.

God’s first nation

Those who truly believe that the Bible is God’s word will never deny that Israel was His first nation. Even though there were other nations and other religions during the time of Israel, only Israel was given the right to serve God – “Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises” (Rom. 9:4, NKJV).

In fact, Israel alone had God:

“And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, ‘Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel’.” (II Kings 5:15, Ibid.)

Israel was given this right to serve God because of the covenant that God made with their ancestors:

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all other peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not sent His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; But because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the land of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Dt. 7:6-8, Ibid.)

We should notice that the basis of God in choosing Israel was not their population, but their covenant or oath with God which He made with the fathers or ancestors of Israel. This oath was sworn to the patriarch Abraham:

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.

“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you’.” (Gen. 17:1, 5, 7, Ibid.)

God established a covenant or sacred agreement with Abraham and his descendants, a covenant that both sides had to fulfill. But, did Israel fulfill their end of the covenant?

“…All Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.” (Dan. 9:11, Ibid.)

Israel broke the covenant, which was why there was a need for a new covenant or New Testament. This was why Christ established His Church in the first century.

The prophecy concerning the first-century Church of Christ

When Apostle Peter was addressing the members of the Church of Christ in the first century, he told them the basis of their right to serve God:

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (II Pt. 1:19, Ibid.)

The members of the Church of Christ in the first century knew that they had the right to serve God because it was prophesied or written long ago that they would be given that right. This was the prophecy that God Himself proclaimed through the prophets:

“Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands that I may be glorified.” (Is. 60:21, Ibid.)

In this prophecy, God said, “the branch of My planting, the work of My hands that I may be glorified.” When our Lord Jesus Christ was fulfilling His mission of salvation, He proved that He and His disciples were the fulfillment of this prophecy:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:1, 5, Ibid.)

The equivalent of Christ as the vine and His disciples as the branches was given as a comparison by Apostle Paul:

“And He is the head of the body, the church.” (Col. 1:18, Ibid.)

The name of the Church built by Christ is the Church of Christ:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Therefore, the Church of Christ in the first century had the right to serve God because it was planted or chosen by Him. It had the prophetic word made sure. In other words, it was the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

However, our Lord Jesus Christ pronounced through prophecy what would happen to the first-century Church:

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you.” (Mt. 24:11, 9, NKJV)

An apostasy led by the false prophets overtook the Church in the first century. Many of its members were turned away from the true faith, and they followed doctrines of the devil (I Tim. 4:1,3). On the other hand, those who were not deceived were killed.

The true Church that emerged in the Far East

For a church to be true, it must also have a prophecy proving its truthfulness. It must have biblical proof that it is biblically and prophetically linked to the Church that Christ built. The Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ that emerged in the Philippines in 1914 has such prophecies. Please take note of the following prophecies:

“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: ‘Glory to the Righteous One.’” (Is. 24:15-16, New International Version)

In this prophecy, God would once again be glorified, but it is not by those from the east known as the Middle or Near East. God Himself foretold from where in the east those He has chosen to serve Him would come:

“From the far east will I bring your offspring.” (Is. 43:5, Moffatt Traslation)

The Church of Christ in these last days emerged in the Philippines, a country in the Far East:

“The Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movements in the Far East.” (World History, p. 445)

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Philippines has over 7, 100 islands. We now know the name of the true Church, the Church of Christ; we also know the place it would reemerge, the Far East, islands of the sea or the Philippines. But do we know the biblical date? In the verse we quoted earlier, Isaiah 24:15-16, it says, “From the ends of the earth.” The period “ends of the earth,” otherwise known as the end of times or last days, is different from the end of the world. The end of the world is the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ on the day of Judgment. The Scriptures states:

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thee coming, and of the end of the world?” (Mt. 24:3, King James Version)

What was our Lord Jesus Christ’s answer to the question of the disciples?

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors!” (Mt. 24:33, NKJV)

The ends of the earth is the period of time when the end of the world is near, at the very doors. What are the visible signs that the day of Judgment is approaching? Our Lord Jesus Christ gave the sign of a major war, which was unlike any war in the past:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Mt. 24:6, Ibid.)

What our Lord Jesus Christ gave was not an ordinary sign, but the sign that the end of the world is near. That is why this is a war that would be heard. Who would hear about this war? What makes this war different from any other in the past? In a related prophecy, Prophet Isaiah spoke of a war that would be heard all over the earth involving all armies of the world:

“Come near, you nations, to hear; and heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it. For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.” (IS. 34:1-2, Ibid.)

A war of this scale never occurred in the history of mankind until the First World War:

“The first terrible war, which involved the whole world and caused so much death and destruction, was World War I.” (World History in an Oriental Setting, p. 850)

The news about this war could not have spread all over the world until the fulfillment of another prophecy which would occur at a time when the world’s end is near:

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Dan. 12:4, NKJV)

Before the end of the world, knowledge shall increase, enabling the news of this war to travel fast so that the whole world could hear about this war. This increase of knowledge was manifested in technology:

“The electric telegraph was the product of many minds in many lands, but it became a practical success in the hands of the American, Morse, in 1844. A submarine cable was laid between England and France in 1851… telephone entered commerce with the American inventor, Bell, in 1876. The Italian, Marconi, succeeded with wireless telegraphy around 1896. Radio was invented shortly before the First World War.” (World History, vol. 2, pp. 543)

The First World War was unique in many ways. It was the first war global in scope, and the news of this war was heard all over the world. When did the First World War begin?

“The first great campaign on the southeastern battle grounds of the Great War began on July 27, 1914, when the Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of Serbia.” (The Story of the Great War from Official Sources, p. 291)

When on the other hand, was the Church of Christ officially registered with the Philippine government? On July 27, 1914 – concurrent with the outbreak of the First World War.

The reemergence of the Church of Christ in the Philippines in 1914 is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies attesting to its election by God. The period of time, the place, and the name had been prophesied long ago and were fulfilled in this Church. This is the Church that has been chosen to serve God and receive His promise in these last days.

Although many people may criticize the doctrine that only a chosen group or church will be saved on the day of Judgment, this remains God’s standing policy in determining whose worship would be accepted by Him. The many biblical prophecies concerning the reemergence of the Church of Christ in these last days give the Church its basis in preaching the right to salvation.

When Compared with ‘Things Spiritual’, the Christ-is-God Doctrine Fails

Published in Pasugo Feb 2006

WHAT SETS THE BIBLE apart from other books is the complete absence of error and contradiction among the writings contained therein. Owing to its inerrancy, the Bible alone is the ultimate basis and standard for determining the correctness and validity of any religious doctrine. One can rest assured that the teachings he follows are right and sound if they agree with the Scriptures; he can hence renounce or reject, without fear or worry, any belief that is contrary to even just a single correctly-translated verse of the Bible.

The most controversial religious issue, on which innumerable debates since the days of the Roman Emperor Constantine have been and still are engaged in by people professing to be Christians, is probably the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ: Is He God or man? What never fails to make many an inquisitive observer wonder, though, is the fact that both sides use the same unimpeachable source and basis – the Bible. Certainly, they cannot be both right. It behooves all to query: If the Bible contains no contradictions whatsoever, then how could two opposing sides use it as their common source and basis?

To test whether the use of a certain verse by either side is correct or not, one only has to compare it with the other related verses, for Apostle Paul says, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Cor. 2:13, King James Version)

Spiritual things will not contradict with other spiritual things when they are compared with one another. In no way will they manifest disagreement, but only harmony and unity. They go together perfectly well – at all times. With this apostolic method of teaching, nothing is added to or taken away from the Word. Corollarily, when one Bible verse seems to clash in meaning with another verse, the former or the latter is either mistranslated or misinterpreted.

Philippians 2:6
One of the most oft-cited Bible verses relative to the issue under consideration, and which itself has given rise to much deliberations is Philippians 2:6, which says, “Who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Ibid.). That this verse has been either paraphrased or liberally rendered by some translators who believe that Christ is God is very evident in the following versions:

“Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.” (Contemporary English Version)

“Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. (New Living Translation)

“Who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God.” (Living Bible)

The most common explication of the verse by the advocates of the Christ-is God doctrine is that God divested Himself of His divine nature and became man or, as some would put it, that God walked incognito on earth in the person of Jesus Christ.

Even without delving into the Greek language in which Philippians 2:6 was originally written, one cannot but notice immediately the obvious and great discrepancy, incongruence, and absurdity of the three foregoing renderings and the interpretation that is responsible for them. Mere spiritual comparison of this verse with the other related verses plainly shows that such an interpretation, and its concomitant renderings, are wrong.

Two distinct beings
Verse nine, for example, states, “Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (KJV). The existence here of two distinct beings is undeniable: one is God, who “has highly exalted [Christ] and given Him the name which is above every name,” and the other one is Christ, who has been highly exalted by God. If “Christ was truly God,” as CEV rendered, how could He be “highly exalted … and given … the name which is above every name” by God? How could Christ and the God, who exalted Him, be both “truly God”?

In verse six itself, and using CEV, the mistranslation is quite obvious – “Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.” Again, the existence here of two distinct beings is very evident: one who “was truly God” and another one whom He “did not try to remain equal with.”

User-friendly translations seek to make the Bible more readable and easier to understand, but if a verse is rendered in such a way that its original meaning is lost or twisted in the process, then the verse cannot be relied upon as God’s Word. In view of this, strict accuracy, achieved by faithfulness to the original languages in which a text was written is, therefore, to be immensely preferred to readability.

Form, image: ‘near synonyms’
The KJV renders the verse: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The phrases “being in the form of God” (which is written) and “being God” (which is concluded) definitely do not mean the same thing. Just because Christ is “in the form of God,” it does not necessarily mean that Christ “is God.” In fact, not only do they mean two different things – they also are “spiritually incomparable.” They are simply scripturally irreconcilable, considering the meaning of “form” and the fact that “form” and “image” (man, let it not be forgotten, was created in the image of God) are “near synonyms” (Christology in the Making: An Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation, p. 115).

According to The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, “form” (“morphe” in Greek) denotes an expression of “essential attributes” or “essential qualities” of God: “6. Being in the form of God (AV). Better, Though in his pre-incarnate state he possessed the essential qualities of God, he did not consider his status of divine quality a prize to be selfishly hoarded (taking harpagmos passively). Morphe, form, in verses 6 and 7 denotes a permanent expression of essential attributes, while schema, fashion (v.8), refers to outward appearance that is subject to change” (p.1324).

Wycliffe’s commentary is corroborated by a more pronounced explanation by other Bible commentators, who says that “in the form of God” does not refer to the “divine essence” or “divine nature” but to “the external self-manifesting characteristics” of God. “… Who subsisting (or existing, viz., originally: the Greek is not the simple substantive verb, to be) in the form of God (the divine essence is not meant: but the external self-manifesting characteristics of God, the form shining forth from His glorious essence. The divine nature had infinite BEAUTY in itself, even without any creature contemplating that beauty: that beauty was ‘the form of God’; as ‘the form of a servant’ (vs. 7) …” (Practical and Explanatory Commentary on the Whole Bible, p. 1305)

Contrary to the popular understanding that Christ’s “being in the form of God” in Philippians 2:6 means that Christ is God, the use by the Apostle Paul of the word “form” (which is synonymous with “image”) to refer to Christ is in itself an unequivocal proof that Christ is man, for, of all creatures, it is really man who was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). “It has long been recognized that…(form) and,,,(image) are near synonyms and that in Hebrew thought the visible ‘form of God’ is his glory …” (Christology in the Making: An Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation, p. 115).

Therefore, Apostle Paul’s reference to Christ as “being in the form of God” in Philippians 2:6 is synonymous – or spiritually comparable – with his allusion to Christ as being “the image of the invisible God” in Colossians 1:15. But Christ’s being “the image of the invisible God” does not make Him God, just as all other men’s being created in the image of God does not make us all Gods. No doubt, Philippians 2:6 and Colossians 1:15 are spiritually comparable; they both underscore Christ’s being a man, and not His allegedly being God.

In righteousness and holiness
Lest Christ’s being the image of God be misconstrued to mean in the visual sense, Apostle Paul, at once, clarifies that God is “invisible” (Col. 1:15; I Tim. 1:17) – a term spiritually comparable with Christ’s statement that “God is Spirit” (John 4:24), which means that God has no flesh and bones (Luke 24:36-39).

In what sense then is Christ the image of the invisible God, a characteristic that not only He, in fact, but all men should possess since all men have been created in God’s image? In righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:23-24, TEV)

Although God has made mankind upright in keeping with His desire that men be in His image, yet men “have gone in search of many schemes,” thereby failing to live up to his Maker’s design. “This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes” (Eccles. 7:29, New International Version).

It is for this reason that all men need the Lord Jesus Christ, for Christ, being the only man who is sinless (I Pet. 2:21-22), is the only one who has lived up to God’s purpose of creating man in His image. Apostle Paul says, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (I Cor. 1:30, NIV, emphasis ours).

Owing to this, Paul urges the Christians who have truly “heard about [Christ] and were taught in him” that for them to be in “the likeness of God,” they must “put off [their] old nature which belongs to [their] former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of [their] minds, and put on the new nature, created after likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:20-24, Revised Standard Version, emphasis ours).

And to be able to heed this exhortation, they need to have the mind of Christ – humble and obedient. Paul says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, … And being found in appearance as a man, He humble Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5, 8, New King James Version).

Christ is in the form or image of God in righteousness and holiness, and His followers should be so, too.

God does not change
The error in the belief that “God became man” lies in the fact that the true God of the Bible – who is neither man nor the son of man (Num. 23:19) – is immutable. God does not change, as He Himself says, “For I the Lord do not change” (Mal. 3:6, RSV). Consistent with this, Apostle James write:

“Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17, Ibid.)

Clearly then, the belief that “God became man” is, to say the least, not spiritually comparable with other related verses. We can come up with a host of other related Bible verses with which the Christ-is-God interpretation of Philippians 2:6 simply cannot be spiritually compared. Instead of the verse introducing Christ as God, it actually all the more affirms the doctrine that Christ is man, and not God. Thus, when compared with “spiritual things” (I Cor. 2:13, KJV), the Christ-is-God dogma miserably fails.

References:

Dunn, James D.G. Christology in the Making: An Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation. London: SCM Press Ltd. 1980.

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown. Practical and Explanatory Commentary on the Whole Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961.

Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: A Phrase by Phrase Commentary of the Bible. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute, 1990.

The gift of understanding the words of God

Published in Pasugo, Jan 2002

THE HOLY BIBLE indisputably contains the words of God, and its importance
to man's life is beyond measure. With the wide array of knowledge and wisdom
that the Bible contains, it is the most read book ever written for all
time.

According to Apostle Paul, the Holy Scriptures not only teaches the wisdom
of God for salvation but it also serves as a guide for reproof, for
correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:15-16).
Furthermore, Apostle John attested that all the things contained in the Scriptures are written for us to believe, and by doing so, we can have life in the name of Christ (Jn. 20:30-31).


The great difference
Unfortunately, many people have not come to the right
understanding of the words of God written in the Bible. The proof of this is the proliferation of various religions having different and often contrasting doctrines
notwithstanding the fact that they are using only one Bible. How has this
happened? Many preachers have misunderstood the knowledge and wisdom of
God, which according to Apostle Paul is so profound as to allow human intellect
to fathom it. He wrote:

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33,New King James Version)

Man can learn and understand human knowledge with his
intelligence. However, understanding divine wisdom or the words of God is not by means of
human intelligence because God's wisdom is a mystery. Apostle Paul said:

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden
wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory." ( I Cor. 2:7,Ibid.)

The profound wisdom of God cannot be discerned or understood
by just any man according to his mental capacity. In fact, from ages and from
generations, such mystery has been hidden from man. Apostle Paul attests:

"Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship
from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to
His saints." (Col. 1:25-26, Ibid.)

If God has hidden His wisdom from all ages and generations,
then how could it be preached by anyone? Anyone who assumes the right to teach the words of God without receiving His revelation does not preach the truth but his
personal opinion. In effect, what he would be preaching is not God's
commandments but human commandments instead. It is not surprising then that
so many different churches with conflicting teachings have multiplied
nowadays.



Not anyone can understand

Although the Bible has been translated into many different
languages so that many people may be able to read it, its translation does not guarantee that it is being understood. In fact, even the very translations, at times,
fall into error. How much more if man interprets the words of God? There is
always a danger of misinterpretation, because those who attempt to explain
or teach the words of God on their own end up twisting them. Apostle Peter
says:

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things, in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and
unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the
Scriptures." (II Pt. 3:15, Ibid.)

Twisting the Scriptures is a grave offense: Anyone who does
this brings destruction upon himself, and to anyone who listens to him.
Being learned does not guarantee a correct understanding of the words of
God. Illustrating this fact is the case of the eunuch described in the Book
of Acts:

"So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch
of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all
her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And
sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit
said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot'. So Philip ran to him,
and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what
you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?, And
he asked Philip to come and sit with him." (Acts 8:27-31, Ibid.)

The eunuch, despite his learning, failed to understand the
Scriptures. So when Philip approached and asked him whether he understood what he was
reading, the eunuch humbly admitted that he could not. Thus, even though
one is earnest in knowing the wisdom of God that is written in the Bible, and
even if he undergoes training at seminary or a Bible college, without
proper guidance from the preacher sent by God, he will not be able to
understand the truth. Apostle Paul wrote:

"Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of
truth." (II Tim. 3:7, Ibid.)

Furthermore, earning a degree or obtaining a certificate in
religious training from a seminary or Bible college does not make one an authority on
the Bible and in preaching the gospel. So, one who listens to a preacher
must be careful and must examine the teachings that such preacher presents.
Why? Because a preacher who teaches a twisted gospel will lead the
unsuspecting and indiscriminate listener into the wrong church, which
upholds false beliefs.

Unfolding the mystery of His words

Fortunately, there is away by which we can understand the
wisdom and knowledge of God, which He has hidden in mystery through ages and
generations. Our Lord Jesus Christ explains:

"And He said to them, 'To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in
parables'." (Mk. 4:11, Ibid.)

A secret cannot be known, much less understood, unless it is
revealed and explained by the one who truly know it. Likewise, the wisdom that comes
from God cannot be learned from institutions or seminaries established by men
because only God holds the key that unlocks the mystery of His words. God
Himself confers the understanding to those whom He sends to preach, like
the apostles. As messengers of God, they bear His truth, the teachings
concerning the true Church, faith, doctrines, and salvation. Our Lord Jesus
Himself attest to this, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God,
for God does not give the Spirit by measure" (Jn. 3:34, Ibid.). Therefore,
only those whom God has sent have been bestowed the knowledge, the gift of
understanding, and the authority to preach the wisdom of God.

On the other hand, those whom God has not sent but who dare to
teach His words will preach twisted teachings of false faith. Such preachers belong
to false religions, which uphold erroneous doctrines, and which will bring
eternal damnation to those who listen and accept them. We should neither
listen to the preaching nor accept the teaching of those who are not sent
by God. Why? Apostle Paul answers:

"And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is
written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'" (Rom. 10:15, Ibid.)

Those who are not sent by God do not understand His wisdom.
So, how can they truthfully preach the words of God if they have not received true
understanding?

The messenger in these last days

Since the apostles already passed away and the Lord Jesus
Christ already ascended to heaven, who will give us today the right understanding of the words of God written in the Holy Scriptures? The Book of Revelation
prophesied another angel having the seal of the living God whose work is to
seal the servants of God:

"Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the
seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it
was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying 'Do not harm the earth, the
sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their
foreheads'." (Rev. 7:2-3, Ibid.)

The word "angel" in this verse literally means messenger.
Angels can be spiritual beings like angel Gabriel whom God sent to Zechariah, the
father of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:19) who are sent from heaven to deliver short
messages to specific individuals or groups of people at a particular time
and specific place (Heb. 1:13-14). Angels can also be human beings, like
John the Baptist (Mt. 11:7-10, Douay-Rheims Version), whom God sends to
preach the gospel to people.

The fulfillment of the "other angel" described in Revelation
7:2-3 pertains to a man whom God had sent to preach the gospel, because his work is to seal the servants of God. He and his companions would carry out the task to seal
the servants of God, as stated in the third verse," till we have sealed the
servants of our God." As to how the sealing would be carried out, Apostle
Paul explains:

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Eph.
1:13-14, NKJV)

Sealing is the preaching of the true gospel to receive the
Holy Spirit. The angel or messenger described in Revelation 7:2-3 preaches the gospel of truth, which is the word of God for salvation. He is a man whose work is to
preach to words of God. Those who listened and believed in his preaching
were sealed and received the promised Holy Spirit. The place where this
prophecy would be fulfilled is in the East or the rising of the sun,
fulfilled in the Philippines, which is in the Far East (Asia and the
Philippines, p. 169).

The Church of Christ firmly believes, based on biblical
prophecies and their fulfillment, that the messenger of God in these last days is Brother Felix Y. Manalo. He was given the right to understand the knowledge of God,
which is hidden in mystery. Through him, together with the ministers and
evangelical workers in the Church of Christ, the wisdom and knowledge of
God is made known to us in these last days, that we may be guided toward the
path that leads to Christ and to our salvation.

The angel who ascended from the east

Published in Pasugo, May 2001

July 27, 1914 was a truly significant and memorable day. It was a day that changed the course of world history and affected the lives of so many people in more ways than one. It was on this day that World War I broke out in Europe. It was a war like no other before it in terms of the number of countries involved and in the way it was fought by land, air, and sea.

In the religious scene, July 27, 1914 was also a day of historic proportions. It was on this day that the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) was registered with the Philippine government through the instrumentality of a man whom the members of this Church recognize as God’s messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo

This belief that Brother Felix Y. Manalo is God’s messenger is these last days is one of the fundamental doctrines the Church upholds. It is based on the words of God written in the Bible.

This study will focus mainly on Revelation 7:2-3, one of the passages of the Holy Scriptures that prove the truthfulness and validity of this doctrine. It reads as follows:

“Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads’.” (New King James Version)

The meaning of the word ‘angel’

There are key words in Revelation 7:2-3 that must be studied closely in order to acquire a clearer understanding of the prophecy in question. The first word that needs clarification is the term “angel.” When some people think of angel, what immediately comes to their mind is the traditionally portrayed figure of a human-looking being with wings on its back and a halo above its head. In truth, the true angels of heaven are spirit in nature and are sometimes sent by God for specific purposes.

However, the word “angel” does not only refer to spiritual beings but also to human beings sent by God. The word “angel” itself comes from the Greek word aggelos which means messenger. Furthermore, Bible scholars attest that angel can refer to a pastor who is a human being:

“Agg’-el-os: … a messenger; … by impl. a pastor: -angel, messenger.” (Strong’s Dictionary of the Greek Testament, p. 7:32)

To say then that there was “another angel” means that there was another messenger. Thus, in the Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible, the opening sentence of the verse reads:

‘And I saw another messenger going up from the rising sun, having a seal of the living God.” (Rev. 7:2, emphasis ours)

What makes us so certain that this messenger is not spirit in nature? As we can note, this angel or messenger bears the seal of the living God and would seal His servants. What does this mean by biblical terms? In the following verse, we can find the answer:

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14, New International Version)

The seal is the Holy Spirit. The sealing function is the preaching of the gospel. Those who are sealed are the ones who believed in the words of truth that were preached.

Thus, the angel or messenger spoken of in Revelation 7:2-3 is not a being that is spirit in nature, but rather a human being who is a preacher of the gospel. The term “angel” then denotes the office or duty of the one sent by God.

Ascending from the east

Aside from the office and the work of this angel or messenger, there are other factors that must be taken into consideration in order for us to identify the fulfillment of the prophecy. Where, for instance, would this messenger come from and preach the gospel? Apostle John wrote that the angel would ascend from the east or, in other translations of the Bible, from the rising of the sun (Revised English Version). This word may puzzle some people since the east is divided into three regions – near, middle, and far east – not to mention the fact that there are many countries situated there.

From the Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible, we can glean that the Greek word for “east” used in Revelation 7:2 was translated into Hebrew as mizrach (p. 637). The use of mizrach as opposed to kedem (which also means “east”) is explained:

“East. The Hebrew term kedem properly means that which is before or in front of a person and was applied to east…on the other hand mizrach is used of the far east.” (p. 154)

The word “east” that is used in Revelation 7:2 refers to the Far East. One of the countries that lie in the Far East, almost at the geographical center to be exact, is the Philippines (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169). Thus, to say that the true messenger of God in these last days came from the Philippines would not go against any biblical doctrine. It is a statement that is, in fact, supported by both biblical and scholarly references.

The time element

In what period of time would this messenger ascend from the Far East to preach the gospel? Revalation 7:1 provides the answer:

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” (NKJV)

In biblical symbolic terms, wind means war (Jer. 4:11-13, 19) and the four corners mentioned refer to the four directions of the earth, namely, north, east, south, and west (I Chron. 9:24). In other words, there would be a war of global proportions going on at the time the angel or messenger in question would be ascending. What about the four other angels who had the power to bring the wind or war under control? Does history speak of such kind of four leaders?

“The treaty of Versailles. Of all the treaties made at the close of the First World War, that of Versailles was the most significant. It was drafted by the Versailles Conference composed of the delegates from 32 Allied nations. The defeated nations, neutral nations, and Russia were not represented in the Conference. Four of the greatest political leaders of the world at that time – Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States; Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Great Britain; Clemenceau, Premier of France; and Orlando, Premier of Italy – dominated the Versailles Conference. They were known as the ‘Big Four’.” (World History, p. 860)

History indeed attests that there were four leaders who had the power to stop the wind or war that was occurring in the world at that time. As to the fact that in Revelation 7:2-3 there are four angels being spoken of, government leaders are also considered angels inasmuch as they are sent by God, not as preachers of the gospel, but to punish evildoers or criminals (I Pt. 2:13-14).

When did this world war begin? Written records show that this war broke out on July 27, 1914:

“Austria, backed by Germany, swept aside all the efforts of the other powers of Europe to intervene in behalf of peace and declared war upon Servia on the 27th of July [1914].” (The Nations At War: A Current History, p. 8)

It was in this period of time that the messenger would ascend from the Far East.

The prophecy fulfilled

Was this prophecy mentioned in Revelation 7:1-3 fulfilled? Was there someone who fit the prophetic description of the “other angel” who ascended from the Far East when there was a world war and preached the gospel of salvation? Yes, indeed. That person was Brother Felix Y. Manalo.

Brother Felix Y. Manalo began preaching the true gospel or the words of God at Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila in the Philippines, a country in the Far East. On July 27, 1914, the same exact day that World War I broke out, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) was registered with the Philippine government. This was no coincidence. This is, without doubt, the fulfillment of the prophecy written in Revelation 7:2-3.

Almost eighty-seven years later, this Church continues to grow in number and gain new evangelical footholds at a rapid pace. To date, there are congregations established in over 70 countries and territories throughout the world. Included among these congregations are the ones in Rome, Jerusalem, and Athens.

The success of this work Brother Felix Y. Manalo began in this era is a clear indication that he is a true messenger of God. What he accomplished can only be attributed to the help of the Almighty Father. For who would have ever thought that from an obscure town in a poor and underdeveloped country would emerge a man – lowly and uneducated in the eyes of his own countrymen – who would lead the emergence of a Church that is now steadily spreading worldwide? Who could ever foresee that from one man, a multitudes of true believers of different races, cultures, and social standing would soon follow? As Christ had mentioned long ago with regard to His authority to preach God’s words:

“But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds of my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me.” (Jn. 5:36, Today’s English Version)

References

Abbot, Willis John. The Nations At War: A Current History. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1917.

Boak, Arthur E. R., Preston Slosson, and Howard Anderson. World History, vol. 2. Madison, Wisconsi: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1942.

Costa, Horacio dela. Asia and the Philippines. Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House, 1967.

Hackett, H.B., ed. Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 1. Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1981.

Strong, James. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1980.

Ang kahuli-hulihang pagsusugo

Published in Pasugo, Oct 2002

DAHIL SA PAG-IBIG ng Diyos sa mga tao sa mga huling araw na ito, itinatag Niya ang kahuli-hulihang gawain sa pagliligtas. Ito na ang huling pagkakataon sa kaligtasan na ibinibigay Niya sa tao. Alamin natin kung alin ang gawaing ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng Biblia.

Binabanggit sa Isaias 41:4 ang mga sali’t saling lahi na tinawag ng Diyos. Ganito ang sinasabi sa hula:

“Sinong gumawa at yumari, na tumawag ng mga sali’t saling lahi mula ng una? Akong Panginoon, ang una, at kasama ng huli, ako nga.”

Ipinangako ng Diyos na kung paanong kasama Siya ng unang tinawag Niya ay gayundin ang huli. Sa mga sali’t saling lahing ito, si Abraham ang una (Gen. 12:1). At kaalinsabay ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay ang pagbibigay sa kaniya ng tipan at mga pangako:

“At hindi na tatawagin ang pangalan mong Abram, kundi Abraham ang magiging iyong pangalan; sapagka’t ikaw ay ginawa kong ama ang maraming bansa…At aking papagtitibayin ang aking tipan sa iyo at sa iyong binhi pagkamatay mo sa buong kalahian nila, na tipang walang hanggan, na ako’y magiging iyong Dios, at ng iyong binhi, pagkamatay mo.” (Gen. 17:5, 7)

Si Abraham at ang kaniyang binhi ay binigyan ng tipang dumiyos sa Diyos. Ang tipang ibinigay ng Diyos kay Abraham ay isang tipang walang hanggan.

Ang mga tagapagmana

Ang mga sali’t saling lahi na nagmana ng tipang ibinigay kay Abraham ay ipinakilala rin ng Biblia:

“Ang tipan na kaniyang ginawa kay Abraham, At ang kaniyang sumpa kay Jacob na pinakapalatuntunan, Sa Israel na pinakawalang hanggang tipan.” (Awit 105:9-10)

Ang tipan na ibinigay kay Abraham ay minana ni Isaac, pinagtibay kay Jacob, at pagkatapos ay sa bayang Israel. Kaya, noon, ang Israel lamang ang tanging bansa sa daigdig na tinubos ng Diyos dahil sa tipang minana nito kay Abraham (II Sam. 7:23-24, New Pilipino Version).

Subalit, ang Israel ay hindi namalagi sa pagiging bayan ng Diyos sapagkat ang mga Israelita ay tumalikod (Mal. 3:7, Ibid.). Lumayo sila sa kautusan ng Diyos sa halip na sumunod. Bunga nito, nawala sa kanila ang karapatan sa tipang kanilang minana kay Abraham.

Sapagkat ang tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham ay walang hanggan, bagaman tumalikod ang bayang Israel ay may nalabi naming isang binhi (Roma 9:27, 29). Ang binhng nalabi ay si Cristo:

“Ngayon kay Abraham nga sinabi ang mga pangako, at sa kaniyang binhi. Hindi sinasabi ng Dios, At sa mga binhi, na gaya baga sa marami; kundi gaya sa iisa lamang, At sa iyong binhi, na si Cristo.” (Gal. 3:16)

Itinuturing din na binhi ni Abraham ang mga kay Cristo:

“At kung kayo’y kay Cristo, kayo nga’y binhi ni Abraham, at mga tagapagmana ayon sa pangako.” (Gal. 3:29)

Subalit ang banggit ay isang binhi? Paano naging isang binhi si Cristo at ang mga sa Kaniya? Niliwanag ito ni Apostol Pablo:

“Na inalis ang pagkakaalit sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang laman, kahit kautusan na may mga batas at ang palatuntunan; upang sa dalawa ay lalangin sa isa ang isang taong bago, sa ganito’y ginagawa ang kapayapaan.” (Efe. 2:15)

Nilalang ni Cristo sa Kaniyang sarili ang isang taong bago mula sa dalawa. Ang dalawa na binabanggit Niya ay ang ulo at ang katawan (Col. 1:18). Ang ulo ay si Cristo at ang katawan na kinaroroonan ng mga taong sa Kaniya ay ang Iglesia. Sa harap ng Diyos ay iisa lamang sila – isang taong bago.

Ang pangalan ng Iglesia na pinangunguluhan at katawan ni Cristo ay Iglesia ni Cristo:

“Magbatian kayo ng banal na halik. Lahat ng iglesya ni Cristo ay bumabati sa inyo.” (Roma 16:16, NPV)

Kaya, ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay binhi ni Abraham. Ito ang nagmana ng tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham nang tumalikod ang Israel. Subalit, ang unang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi rin namalagi sa tipan. Tumalikod din ito.

Sa mga huling araw

Nagkagayunman, dahil ang tipan kay Abraham ay walang hanggan, muling tumawag ang Diyos ng binigyan Niya ng tipan. Sa hula ni Propeta Isaias ay sinabi ang ganito:

“Nguni’t ikaw, Israel, lingkod ko, Jacob na siyang aking pinili, na binhi ni Abraham na aking kaibigan; Ikaw na aking hinawakan mula sa mga wakas ng lupa, at tinawag kita mula sa mga sulok niyaon, at pinagsabihan kita, Ikaw ay aking lingkod, aking pinili ka at hindi kita itinakuwil.” (Isa. 41:8-9)

Ang hinuhulaan ay binhi rin ni Abraham. Tinawag siyang Israel at Jacob. Subalit, hindi ang Israel at Jacob sa laman ang tinutukoy dahil ang panahon ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay sa “mga wakas ng lupa.” Nilinaw ni Cristo kung kailan ang panahong “mga wakas ng lupa.”

“Gayon din naman kayo, pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito, ay talastasin ninyo na siya’y malapit na, nasa mga pintuan nga.” (Mat. 24:33)

Ang “mga wakas ng lupa” ay katumbas ng binanggit ni Cristo na “nasa mga pintuan nga.” Ito ang panahong malapit na Siyang pumarito o malapit na ang wakas ng daigdig. May ibinigay napalatandaan si Cristo sa panahong “nasa mga pintuan” o nasa “mga wakas na ng lupa”. Ang sabi Niya, “pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito.”

Ang isa sa mga ibinigay ni Cristo na palatandaan ay ang digmaang aalingawngaw:

“At mangakakarinig kayo ng mga digmaan at mga alingawngaw ng mga digmaan; ingatan ninyo na huwag kayong magulumihanan: sapagka’t kinakailangang ito’y mangyari datapuwa’t hindi pa ang wakas.” (Mat. 24:6)

Sinabi rin sa hula ang uri ng digmaang tinutukoy. Ganito ang nakasulat sa Isaias 34:1-2:

“Kayo’y magsilapit, kayong mga bansa, upang mangakinig; at dinggin ninyo, ninyong mga bayan: dinggin ng lupa at ng buong narito; ng sanlibutan, at ng lahat na bagay na nagsisilitaw rito. Sapagka’t ang Panginoon ay may galit laban sa lahat ng bansa, at pusok ng loob laban sa lahat nilang hukbo: kaniyang lubos na nilipol sila, kaniyang ibinigay sila sa patayan.”

Ang sinasabing digmaan ay sasaklaw sa “mga bansa” o sa buong “sang-libutan.” Kaya, ito ay digmaang pandaigdig.

Hinulaan din ang mga kasangkapang gagamitin sa digmaang ito. Sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias na kabilang sa mga kasangkapang gagamitin ang “mga kabayong matulin pa kaysa mga agila” at “mga karong parang ipo-ipo”:

“Narito, siya’y sasagupang parang mga ulap, at ang kaniyang mga karo ay magiging parang ipoipo ang kaniyang mga kabayo ay lalong matulin kay sa mga aguila. Sa aba natin! sapagka’t tayo’y nangapahamak. …Ang hirap ko, ang hirap ko! Ako’y nagdaramdam sa aking puso; ang dibdib ko ay kakabakaba, hindi ako matahimik; sapagka’t iyong narinig, Oh kaluluwa ko, ang tunog ng pakakak, ang hudyat ng pakikidigma.” (Jer. 4:13, 19)

Lahat ng mga hulang binabanggit sa itaas ay natupad. Ang katuparan ay ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 na karaniwang tinatawag na Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Ganito ang patotoo ng isang aklat-kasaysayan:

“The First World War was unlike any war in the past. …This was the first war ‘in three dimensions’, the first war in which cities were bombed from the air and winged warriors fought among the clouds. Of course the airplanes of 1914 were not so fast, so formidable, nor so numerous as those of today. They were really more important as scouts (a kind of aerial ‘cavalry’), photographing enemy movements from above. …the British had invented the tank, or land battleship – an armored automobile which could move on rough ground because it was built like a tractor.” [Ang Unang Digmaang Pansanlibutan ay hindi katulad ng alinmang digmaan sa nakaraan. …Ito ang unang digmaan sa tatlong larangan, ang unang digmaan na ang mga lungsod ay binomba mula sa himpapawid at ang mga mandirigmang may pakpak ay naglabanan sa alapaap. Mangyari pa na ang mga eroplano noong 1914 ay hindi gaanong mabibilis, di gaanong matitibay, ni di gaanong marami di tulad ngayon. Ang mga ito ay sadyang lalong mahalaga bilang tagamanman (isang uri ng kabayuhang panghimpapawid), na kumukuha ng larawan mula sa itaas. …ng mga kilos ng mga kaaway. Naimbento ng Britanya ang tanke, o panlupang pandigmang bapor – isang aseradong awtomobil na maaaring dumaan sa mabakong lupa sapagkat ito ay niyaring katulad ng traktora.] (World History, pp. 478-479)

Ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 ay hindi lamang kinasangkutan ng maraming bansa sa daigdig, kundi, unang digmaan din ito sa tatlong larangan. Ang binabanggit sa hula na “mga kabayong matulin pa kaysa mga agila” at “mga karong parang ipoipo” ay ang mga eroplano at mga tanke na unang ginamit sa digmaang ito. Ito ay naganap sa panahong maunlad na ang komunikasyon. Naimbento na noon an radyo, telepono, at telebisyon. Bunga nito, umalingawngaw o napabalita sa buong mundo ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914.

Kaya noong 1914, ang panahon ay nasa mga wakas na ng lupa. Ito ang panahon ng pagtawag ng Diyos sa Kaniyang sugo na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 41:8-9.

Ang huling pasugo

Hindi maipagkakamali ang sugong hinuhulaan sa ibang mga sugo na tinawag ng Diyos. Bukod sa panahon ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay hinulaan din ang dakong kaniyang pagmumulan:

“Kaya’t luwalhatiin ninyo ang Panginoon sa silanganan, sa makatuwid baga’y ang pangalan ng Panginoon, ng Diyos ng Israel, sa mga pulo ng dagat. Mula sa kaduluduluhang bahagi ng lupa ay nakarining kami ng mga awit, kaluwalhatian sa matuwid…” (Isa. 24:15-16)

Ang sugo ay magmumula sa bansang binubuo ng mga pulo sa Malayong Silangan. Ang katuparan ng dako na pagmumulan ng hinuhulaang sugo ay ang Pilipinas. Ayon sa kasaysayan:

The Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movement in the Far East; the name means the ‘islands of Philip’ and refers to that grim ruler, King Philip II.” [Ang Pilipinas ay naging bahagi ng Espanya sa unang kilusang pananakop sa malayong Silangan; ang pangalan ay nangangahulugang ‘mga pulo ni Felipe’ at tumutukoy sa malupit na pinunong iyon na si Haring Felipe II.] (World History, p. 445)

Ang Pilipinas ay nasa malayong Silangan. Binubuo ito ng mahigit sa 7, 100 mga pulo. Kaya, ang sugo ng Diyos at ang bunga ng Kaniyang gawain na hinulaan ni Propeta Isaias ay magmumula sa Pilipinas sa panahon ng mga wakas ng lupa.

Si Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo ang kinatuparan ng hinulaang tinawag ng Diyos. Ang bunga ng gawain niya ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo na narehistro sa pamahalang Pilipinas noong Hulyo 27, 1914, kaalinsabay ng pagsiklab ng Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Taglay nito ang tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham na tipang walang hanggan. Ito ang gawaing pagliligtas ng Diyos sa mga huling araw.

Ang susunod sa pasugong ito ay ang araw na ng paggapas. Nakasaad ang ganito sa aklat ng Apocalipsis na isinulat ni Apostol Juan:

“At nakita ko, at narito, ang isang alapaap na maputi; at nakita ko na nakaupo sa alapaap ang isang katulad ng isang anak ng tao, na sa kaniyang ulo’y may isang putong na ginto, at sa kaniyang kamay ay may isang panggapas na matalas. At lumabas ang ibang anghel sa templo, na sumisigaw ng malakas na tinig doon sa nakaupo sa alapaap, Ihulog mo ang iyong panggapas, at gumapas ka; sapagka’t dumating na ang oras ng paggapas, sapagka’t ang aanihin sa lupa ay hinog na.” (Apoc. 14:14-15)

Ang araw ng paggapas o pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng mundo ayon na rin kay Cristo:

“At ang kaaway na naghasik ng mga ito ay ang Diablo: at ang pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng sanglibutan; at ang mga mangaani ay ang mga anghel.” (Mat. 13:39)

Kaya, ang “huli” sa sali’t saling lahi na tinawag ng Diyos ay si Kapatid na Felix Manalo. Ang gawaing iniatang sa kaniya ay siya ring huling pasugo ng Diyos sapagkat ito ay aabot na hanggang sa katapusan ng mundo. Ito ang huling pagkakataon na ibinibigay ng Diyos upang ang tao ay maligtas.

The angel having the seal of the living God

Published in Pasugo, Oct 1997

TO DISPROVE THE commission of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as God’s messenger in these last days, detractors vehemently deny the teaching that the so-called “Big Four” of the First World War are the fulfillment of the “four angels” mentioned in Revelation 7:1-3.

To make our discussion clear, let us first find out the meaning of the word “angel.” Angel means “messenger,” one who is sent by God. An angel could be either a spirit or a man in state of being. Scholars and religious writers agree that the term angel denotes the office and not the state of being of the one being sent. John the Baptist, although a man, is called an angel because he was sent to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus (cf. Jn. 1:6; Mt. 11:7-10, Douay-Rheims Version).

Heads of nations are messengers

Revelation 7:1-3 which contains the biblical prophecy on the “four angels” says:

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.

“Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads’.” (New King James Version)

The “four angels” mentioned in the preceding verses do not refer to ministering spirits sent by God to deliver short messages to certain persons as the angel Gabriel did. Neither are they preachers of God’s teachings as John the Baptist was. Instead, they are leaders of nations sent by God to fulfill special functions.

Apostle Peter stated that even kings and governors or representatives of nations are sent by God (cf. I Pt. 2:13-14). They are also called angels in the category of messengers of nations according to the Prophet Isaiah:

“What will one then answer the messengers of the nations?” (Is. 14:32, NKJV)

Head of states are messengers and are, therefore, called angels. The “four angels” mentioned in Revelation 7:1-3 are heads of states, messengers of their respective countries, “holding the wind.” This prophecy was fulfilled by the “Big Four” of the first world war, namely, Woodrow Wilson (US president), David Lloyd George (British prime minister), Georges Clemenceau (French premier), and Vittoro Orlando (Italian premier).

Critics of the Iglesia ni Cristo, however, believe otherwise, saying that Orlando of Italy was anticlerical, and, therefore, could not have been sent by God.

The Bible, on the other hand, shows that the works of the messengers sent by God are not in all cases religious or spiritual in nature. For instance, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was a pagan; yet he was sent by God (cf. Jer. 43:10). The Persian king Cyrus, too, was sent although he did not worship God (cf. Is. 44:28; 45:1). Hence, belief in God among heads of states is not a necessary condition for them to be sent by God. A person is God’s messenger so long as God had chosen him for a specific work. Unlike those sent by God to preach the gospel, representatives of nations need not be God-fearing or believers in God in order to be called angels or messengers.

The four angels “holding the wind”

In the prophecy, the “four angels” were seen “holding the wind.” The term “wind” does not refer to a literal current of air. The wind, accompanied by chariots like whirlwind and horses swifter than eagles (cf. Jer. 4:11-13), has caused much pain to people who heard “The sound of the trumphet, The alarm of war” (cf. Jer. 4:19, NKJV). The “wind” mentioned in Revelation 7:1-3 is, therefore, a war. But, what kind of war is it? A related prophecy in Isaiah says:

“Come near, you nations, to hear; And heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, The world and all things that come forth from it. For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.” (Is. 34:1-2, Ibid.)

This war is global in scope because it involves the armies of all nations being delivered over to the slaughter. Some weapons of this war are even compared to “chariots like whirlwind” and to “horses swifter than eagles.” History testifies to a world war wherein the weapons used are described as such. This was the case during the First World War:

“The First World War was unlike any war in the past… This was the first war ‘in three dimensions,’ the first war in which cites ware bombed from the air and winged warriors fought among the clouds. Of course the airplanes of 1914 were not so fast, so formidable, nor so numerous as those of today. There were really more important as scouts ( a kind of aerial ‘cavalry’) … the British had invented the tank, or land battleship – an armored automobile which could move on rough ground because it was built like a tractor.” (World History, pp. 478-479)

History attests that it was during the First World War when “chariots like whirlwind” or war tanks and “horses swifter that eagles” or airplanes were first used.

This world war was halted by the “four angels” who were heads of nations. In fulfillment, the First World War ceased through the efforts of the “Big Four” who met in Paris to confer concerning the treaty of Versailles:

“Orlando of Italy, Lloyd George of Great Britain, Clemanceau of France, and Wilson of America were called the Big Four when they met in Paris to confer concerning the Treaty of Versailles.” (Ibid., caption, p. 494)

The prophecy, therefore, concerning the “four angels” holding the wind (or war) as what has been mentioned earlier was fulfilled in the persons of Orlando of Italy, Lloyd George of Great Britain, Clemenceau of France, and Wilson of America popularly known as the “Big Four.” These four leaders of nations were instrumental in putting an end to the war in 1914.

Why is the cry of the other “angel ascending from the east” to the “four angels” : ”Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees” at the time they were seen holding the wind or stopping the war? This is because the “four angels” were granted the power “to harm the earth and the sea” (cf. Rev. 7:2, NKJV) or they had the authority either to continue the war or to stop it. Such really was the case as recorded in history:

“Early in May, 1919, the representatives of Germany were invited to the Peace Conference and asked to sign the treaty which was handed to them. They objected to the hard but just conditions which the treaty imposed upon their country and spent several weeks in pleading for easier terms. Some minor changes were made in the treaty, and on June 16th the final conditions were presented to the Germans, who were told that if they did not accept them the Allies would resume operations against their country. When faced with this possibility, Germany gave way and agreed to accept the terms of the Allies.” (History of the United States, p. 594)

History affirms that it was within the power of the “Big Four” to resume military operations against Germany. Had the Germans refused to accept the provisions of the treaty, the Allied powers would have certainly resumed operations against them. Hence, the cry: “Do not harm the earth and the sea.”

Does this mean that Brother Felix Y. Manalo, whom we believe is the fulfillment of the other angel in the prophecy, personally communicated with the “Big Four”? Why does the prophecy state that the other angel or messenger of God ascending from the east cried to the “four angels”? How was this fulfilled?

The cry of the other angel

To understand this, let us refer to the preaching of John the Baptist. The preaching of John the Baptist was depicted in the prophecy of Isaiah as a cry in the wilderness. He said, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord”,’ ” (cf. Jn. 1:23, NKJV). Why is John’s preaching depicted as a cry in the wilderness? Below is the account of the evangelist Luke:

“And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight”.’

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Lk. 3:3-4, 9, Ibid.)

John’s preaching was contrary to what the people believed during his time. Hence, his preaching was likened to a “cry in the wilderness” – a lone and righteous voice among the multitudes of his time.

In like manner, the function of the angel ascending from the east having the seal of the living God was to seal the servants of God in their foreheads for their salvation, whereas the work of the “four angels” had something to do with destruction.

What is meant by “seal” and how is “sealing” of the servants of God done? The Holy Scriptures explain, thus:

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14, Ibid.)

The Holy Spirit is the “seal” and the act of “sealing” is the preaching of the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, unto those who believe. This sealing function is done by God’s messenger (cf. Rom. 10:14-15). “Sealing” or preaching the gospel is a work leading to salvation, unlike the work of the “four angels” or the “Big Four.”

Thus, the testimonies of history clearly conform to the prophecy of the Holy Bible regarding the “four angels” or the “Big Four.” It is, therefore, beyond doubt that the work of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as God’s messenger in these last days is the work of God (cf. Jn. 6:29)!

Ang sugong pinili ng Diyos

Published in Pasugo, May 2002

SUMASAMPALATAYA ANG Iglesia ni Cristo na si Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo ay isinugo ng Diyos. Siya ay hinirang at kinasangkapan ng Diyos upang muling maitatag ang tunay na Iglesiang kay Cristo. Siya ang nagpasimula ng huling gawain ng Diyos sa pagliligtas.

Si kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo ay ginugunita ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo sa buong daigdig bilang pagtugon sa utos ng Diyos na nakasulat sa Biblia na:

“Alalahanin ninyo ang mga nangasiwa sa inyo, ang mga nagpahayag sa inyo ng salita ng Dios. (Heb. 13:7, New Pilipino Version)

Ang pagkilalang ito ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa sugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw ay tinutuligsa ng iba sapagkat hindi nila ganap na nauunawaan ang mga patotoo ng Diyos sa paghahalal Niya kay Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo bilang Kaniyang sugo.

Ang patotoo ng Diyos sa sugo

Ano ang patotoo o hula ng Diyos sa paghalal o sa pagpili Niya kay Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo? Ganito ang sabi ng Diyos ayon kay Propeta Isaias:

“Ikaw na aking hinawakan mula sa mga wakas ng lupa, at tinawag kita mula sa mga sulok niyaon, at pinagsabihan kita, Ikaw ay aking lingkod, aking pinili ka at hindi kita itinakuwil.” (Isa. 41:9)

Ang Diyos ay may lingkod na pinili, tinawag, o inihalal sa panahong “mga wakas ng lupa.” Alin ang panahong ito? Upang ating malaman ang tinutukoy na “mga wakas ng lupa,” mabuting alamin muna natin kung alin ang panahong “wakas ng lupa.” Sa Mateo 24:3 ay ganito ang pahayag:

“Pagkatapos, nang nakaupo Siya sa Bundok ng mga Olibo, tinanong Siya ng mga alagad, ‘Kailan po mangyayari ang sinabi Ninyo? Anu-anong pangyayari ang maghuhudyat ng Inyong pagbabalik at ng wakas ng mundo?’” (Salita ng Buhay)

Ang wakas ng lupa o “end of the earth” ay ang wakas ng mundo.

Itinanong ng mga alagad sa Panginoong Jesucristo kung anu-ano ang mga pangyayari o mga palatandaan ng Kaniyang muling pagbabalik o ng wakas ng mundo. Ganito ang naging sagot ng Panginoong Jesucristo:

“Gayon din naman kayo, pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito, ay talastasin ninyo na siya’y malapit na, nasa mga pintuan nga.

“At mangakakarinig kayo ng mga digmaan at mga alingawngaw ng mga digmaan; ingatan ninyo na huwag kayong magulumihanan: sapagka’t kinakailangang ito’y mangyari datapuwa’t hindi pa ang wakas.

“Sapagka’t magsisitindig ang mga bansa laban sa bansa, at ang kaharian laban sa kaharian; at magkakagutom at lilindol sa iba’t ibang dako.

“Datapuwa’t ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay siyang pasimula ng kahirapan.” (Mat. 24:33, 6-8)

Ayon sa Panginoong Jesucristo, kapag nakita “ang mga bagay na ito,” Siya ay malapit nang magbalik – nasa “mga pintuan” na o nasa mga wakas ng lupa o nasa panahong malapit na ang Araw ng Paghuhukom. Ang ilan sa mga bagay na mangyayari na palatandaang ang panhon ay nasa mga wakas ng lupa ay ang digmaang maririning o mapapabalita sa buong daigdig (Mat. 24:6, Magandang Balita Biblia). Ang mga ito ay natupad na. Sa tala ng kasaysayan ay dalawa ang malalaking digmaang naganap – ang Una at Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Ang una ay sumiklab noong Hulyo 27, 1914:

“The first great campaign on the southeastern battle grounds of the Great War began on July 27, 1914, when the Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of Serbia.” [Ang unang malawakang kampanya sa timog-silangan ng Malaking Digmaan ay nagsimula noong Hulyo 27, 1914, nang isagawa ng mga sundalong Autstriano ang unang pagsalakay sa Serbiya.] (The Story of the Great War: History of the European War from Official Sources, p. 291)

Ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig naman ay sumiklab noong Setyembre 1, 1939 (A Survey of European Civilization, p. 919).

Ayon sa hula ay magkakaroon din ng kagutom, kahirapan, at paglindol sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Ang lahat ng ito’y nagbabadya na malapit na ang Araw ng Paghuhukom. Ang panahong ito ang tinatawag na “nasa mga pintuan” o “mga wakas ng lupa.” Sa panahong ito natupad ang pagtawag ng Panginoong Diyos sa sugong mangangaral ukol sa gawaing pagliligtas sa mga huling araw.

Ang gawain ng sugo

Ano ang gagampanang gawain ng sinugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw? Sa kaugnay na hula, sinabi ng Diyos na:

“Fear not: for I am with thee; I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west: I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” [Huwag kang matakot: sapagkat ako’y sumasaiyo: Aking dadalhin ang iyong lahi mula sa silangan, at titipunin kita mula sa kanluran. Aking sasabihin sa hilaga, Bayaan mo, at sa timugan, Huwag mong pigilin: dalhin mo rito ang aking mga anak na lalake na mula sa malayo, at ang aking mga anak na babae na mula sa mga wakas ng lupa.] (Is. 43:5-6, King James Version)

Ang gagampanang gawain ng sugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw ay ang pag-agaw sa mga taong pinipigil ng “hilagaan” at ng “timugan.” Alin ang tinutukoy sa hula na timugan at hilagaan? Sa ano kumakatawan ang mga ito? Mababasa sa aklat ng kasaysayan ang ganito:

“…In the north the Protestants were in control – Lutheran churches in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the northern and central states of Germany; Calvanist or Reformed churches in Scotland, the Netherlands, Hesse, the Palatinate, and a few of the western German states. In the south the Catholics were in control – Spain, Italy, Austria, Bavaria, and elsewhere in southern Germany.” [Sa hilagaan ang mga Protestante ang higit na nakararami – mga Iglesia Luterana ang nasa Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, mga estado na nasa hilaga at kalagitnaan ng Alemanya; ang mga Calvanista o mga Iglesia Reformada ay nasa Scotland, Netherlands, Hesse, Palatinate, at ilang mga estado na nasa kanluran ng Alemanya. Sa timugan ang mga Katoliko ang higit na nakararami – sa Espanya, Italia, Austria, Bavaria, at ilang mga dako ng timugang Alemanya.] (The Reformation, p. 366)

Ang timugan ay kumakatawan sa Katolisismo at ang hilagaan naman ay sa Protestantismo. Magmumula sa mga ito ang mga taong aagawin ng sugo mula sa mga maling relihiyon. Ano ang layunin sa pag-agaw sa mga tao mula sa mga relihiyong nabanggit? Ito ay upang matupad ang layunin ng Diyos na tawagin ang tao at ipakisama kay Cristo (I Cor. 1:9).

Ang paraan ng pagtawag ng Diyos

Bakit kailangan pa ang pagtawag ng Diyos upang maipakisama ang tao kay Cristo? Ayon mismo sa Tagapagligtas:

“Walang makalalapit sa akin malibang dalhin siya ng Amang nagsugo sa akin. At ang lalapit sa akin ay muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw.” (Juan 6:44, MB)

Walang taong makalalapit sa Panginoong Jesucristo malibang ang tao’y dalhin o tawagin ng Diyos. Subalit, paano tinatawag ng Diyos ang tao upang maipakisama o dalhin kay Cristo? Ayon sa Biblia, ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pangangaral ng ebanghelyo:

“Sa kalagayang ito’y tinawag niya kayo sa pamamagitan ng aming evangelio, upang magkamit ng kaluwalhatian ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo.” (II Tes. 2:14)

Kaya, ang pangangaral ng ebangyelyo’y pagtawag ng Diyos. Ang nakinig, sumampalataya, at sumunod sa ebanghelyo ang tinawag o dinala sa pakikisama ng Diyos kay Cristo. Ngunit, sino ang kasangkapan ng Diyos sa pangangaral ng dalisay na ebanghelyo? Walang iba kundi ang sugo.

Ang pinagtularan sa gawain ng sugo

Sa ano itinulad ang gawain ng sugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw?

“Na tumatawag ng ibong mangdadagit mula sa silanganan, ng taong gumagawa ng aking payo mula sa malayong lupain; oo, aking sinalita, akin namang papangyarihin; aking pinanukala, aking namang gagawin.

“Inyong dinggin ako, ninyong may mapagmatigas na loob; na malayo sa katuwiran:

“Aking inilalapit ang aking katuwiran, hindi maglalaon at ang aking pagliligtas ay hindi magluluwat: at aking ilalagay ang kaligtasan sa Sion na ukol sa Israel na aking kaluwalhatian.” (Isa. 46:11-13)

Ang sugong magmumula sa “mga wakas ng lupa” (Isa. 41:9-10) na siya ring aagaw sa mga tao mula sa Protestantismo at Katolisismo (Isa. 43:5-6) ay itinulad sa ibong mandaragit. Siya ay isinugo sa mga taong malayo sa katuwiran o sa dalisay na ebanghelyo (Roma 1:16-17).

Ang “ibong mandaragit” na hinulaan ni Propeta Isaias ay tao na gumagawa ng payo ng Diyos na manggagaling sa Silanganan. Kung aling bahagi sa silangan, ayon sa patotoo ng hula ay sa “malayo” o Malayong Silangan. Sa Pilipinas natupad ang sinasabi ng hula ukol sa dakong pagmumulan ng sugo sa mga huling araw. Ang bansang Pilipinas ay nasa Malayong Silangan:

“It cannot be without significance that the country which stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East, the Philippines, should also be that in which Christianity has taken the deepest root.” [Hindi maaaring mawalan ng kabuluhan na ang bansa na halos nasa gitnang pangheograpiya ng Malayong Silangan, na ito ay ang Pilipinas, ay siya ring bansang kinatatagang mabuti ng Cristianismo.] (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169)

Kung gayon, ang Diyos ay nagsugo sa mga huling araw na ito upang ipangaral sa tao ang dalisay na ebanghelyo, at sa gayon, ang tao ay maipagkasundo sa Kaniya at maipakisama sa Panginoong Jesucristo upang maligtas. Ang sugong ito, bilang katuparan ng hula, ay nagmula sa Pilipinas na siya ring dakong pagmumulan ng mga unang “aagawin” (Isa.43:5-6) o pangangaralan ng ebanghelyo.

Ang bunga ng pangangaral ng sugo

Gaya ng nabanggit sa unahan, ang mga naging bunga ng pangangaral ng sugo sa mga huling araw ay dinala ng Diyos sa Panginoong Jesucristo (Isa. 43:5; Juan 6:44). Ang mga dinala ng Diyos sa Panginoong Jesucristo ay magiging isang kawan:

“At mayroon akong ibang mga tupa, na hindi sa kulungang ito: sila’y kailangan din naming dalhin ko, at kanilang diringgin ang aking tinig; at sila’y magiging isang kawan, at magkakaroon ng isang pastor.” (Juan 10:16)

Ang tinutukoy na kawan ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo, gaya ng ipinahayag ni Apostol Pablo:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” [Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang buong kawan na rito’y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo na mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kanyang dugo.] (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)

Ang kawan o ang Iglesia ni Cristo ang tinubos ng dugo ni Cristo. Dito dapat umanib ang tao upang ariing-ganap at makatiyak ng kaligtasan (Roma 3:24-25; Roma 5:8-9; Efe. 5:23, MB).

Ang pag-anib sa Iglesia ni Cristo ang ipinangaral ng sugo sa mga huling araw – ni Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo – upang ang tao ay maligtas. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo na kaniyang ipinangaral ay narehistro sa pamahalaang Pilipinas noong Hulyo 27, 1914, kaalinsabay ng pagsiklab ng Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig.

Si Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo ang sinasampalatayanan ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo na inihalal ng Diyos at isinugo sa mga huling araw na ito gaya ng pinatutunayan ng mga hula ng Diyos at ng kanilang katuparan. Dahil sa pagsusugo sa kaniya, maraming tao ang nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapanumbalik sa Diyos at magkaroon ng kaugnayan kay Cristo, at sa gayo’y nakatitiyak ng pagtatamo ng kaligtasan.

Sanggunian

Chadwik, Owen. The Reformation. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, 1972.

Compton’s Encyclopedia & Fact-Index. Chicago: Compton’s Learning Company, 1995.

Dela Costa, Horacio. Asia and the Philippines. Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House, 1967.

Ferguson, Wallace K., et al. A Survey of European Civilization. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1962.

The Story of the Great War: History of the European War from Official Sources, vol. 2. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1916.

The last work of salvation

Published in Pasugo, Jul 2000

THE ENTIRE WORK of salvation in the Christian era is written in the Book of Revelation. The first work of salvation was that which was led by the Lamb:

"THEN I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. …These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb." (Rev. 14:1,4, New King James Version)

The first fruits numbering 144,000 were with the Lamb and redeemed from among men. The Lamb referred to is our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:29) and those redeemed are members of the Church of Christ that was purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). The 144,000 who were assured of salvation belong to the 12 tribes of Israel and were, therefore, Jews:

"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelves tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings." (Js. 1:18,1, NKJV)

The Jews who became members of the Church of Christ in Judea (Gal. 1:22, Lamsa Translation) were the first fruits of the first work of salvation in the Christian era.

The second work of salvation

The next work of salvation was that of the first angel:

"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people -

"Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." (Rev. 14:6-7, NKJV)

The angel referred to is an angel of the Church ["To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,…" (Rev. 2:1, NKJV)], meaning, a minister:

"Angel, Literally ‘messenger:’…(2) A minister or pastor of a Church, Rev. 2:1." (Crudence Comple Concordance to the Old and New Testament, p. 16)

The prophesied angel in Revelation 14:6-7 is a preacher of the gospel, preaching to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. His aim is to give glory to God. Apostle Paul was the fulfillment of this prophecy since he preached to the Gentiles that they should turn to the living God and that God had appointed a day in which He will judge the world (Acts 14:14-15; 17:22, 27-31). He converted the Gentiles to the Church of Christ (Rom. 15:16; 16:4,16). His preaching function was the second work of salvation.

The second angel

The work of commissioning that followed the first-century Church of Christ was that of the second angel who testified "Babylon is fallen":

"And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen’." (Rev. 14:8, NKJV)

The fulfillment of this prophecy about the second angel is Martin Luther who was foremost in initiating the Reformation Movement within the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

The Babylon referred to is the "dwelling place of demons" (Rev. 18:2). It also refers to the "MOTHER OF HARLOTS who sits on many waters" (Rev. 17:5,1). The "many waters" on which Babylon sits are "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15). We know that a harlot is a woman of ill-refute. Thus, Babylon is the mother of harlots or women of ill-refute and she sits on many waters or is universal.

The true Church, on the other hand, is likened to a chaste virgin (II Cor. 11:2). Babylon, the "mother of harlots," is also a church, but not the true Church.

The name "Babylon" is synonymous with Rome (The Papal Encyclicals, p. 34; The Question Box, p. 143). The church that bears the name "Rome" and is universal is the "Babylon" referred to in the Book of Revelation as "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS," the habitation of demons. Which Church has the name Rome and is universal? James Cardinal Gibbons testified thus;

"The word Catholic Church alone deserves the name of Catholic is so evident that it is ridiculous to deny it. Ours is the only Church which adopts this name as her official title.

"The word Catholic, or Universal, signifies that…she is diffused over every nation of the globe, and counts her children among all tribes and peoples and tongues of the earth." (The Faith of Our Fathers, p. 24)

Thus, the Babylon is the Roman Catholic Church. This is the church that is universal as Catholic authorities themselves admit and is, therefore, the one mentioned by the second angel as "Babylon is fallen"

That "Babylon" or the Catholic Church is fallen means it is without foundation (Lk. 6:49, NKJV) or is not founded on the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20-22, Ibid.).

The fact that the Catholic Church is not founded upon Christ but upon Peter (Apostles’ Creed, p. 216) proves that it turned away from Christ.

The second angel or messenger, Martin Luther, testifies that the Catholic Church is fallen. His attempt to reform the Catholic Church though failed.

The Roman Church held on to unscriptural teachings and continued in its apostasy. This Church, being the mother of harlots, and various Protestant churches that emerged from her are not God’s work of salvation. God, therefore, has appointed the reemergence of the true Church of Christ in these last days that His work of salvation may continue.

The last work of salvation

The prophecy written in the Book of Revelation reveals the last work of salvation led by the third angel:

"Then a third angel followed them, saying with a load voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,…" (Rev. 14:9, NKJV)

The work of the third angel or messenger is to warn people who received the mark of the beast on their forehead or on their hand. He is to execute God’s work of salvation until the time of harvest (Rev. 14:14-15) or until the end of the world (Mt. 13:39).

The signs indicating that the end of the world is at hand are wars, famines, earthquakes, and sufferings (Mt. 24:3, 6-8). These signs signal that the end is near (Mt. 24:33). The work of the third angel will extend up to the end of the world because he is the messenger of God from the ends of the earth as prophesied by Isaiah:

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called you from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away’." (Is. 41:9, NKJV, emphasis ours)

The fulfillment of the wars mentioned in the prophecy that would involve nations were the First World War and the Second World War. The First World War broke out on July 27, 1914, marking the beginning of the period ends of the earth or the time when the end of the world is near. We believe that the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the third angel who would begin the work of salvation in this period is Brother Felix Y. Manalo.

The Church of Christ preached by Brother Felix Y. Manalo was registered with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914, concurrent with the beginning of the First World War. There will not be another work of salvation because Brother Felix Y. Manalo is God’s last messenger - his mission is to begin during the time of the ends of the earth and will extend up to Judgment Day (Is. 41:9,4).

As previously mentioned, the third angel would warn those who have the mark on their forehead or on their right hand. This is the mark of Roman Catholics - the "sign of the cross" (The Externals of the Catholic Church, p. 218). Those who have this mark are bound to perdition in the lake of fire, the second death (Rev. 14:9-11;20:14).

The mission of God’s last messenger is to preach the Church of Christ that was redeemed with Christ’s blood (Rev. 14:13; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). This Church is the last work of salvation before the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.