Daan ni Bro Eliseo Soriano

Is Mr. Felix Manalo, the angel ascen ding from the East being mentioned in Rev. 7:2-3? Part II
URL: http://www.angdatingdaan.org/bibtopics.php?lang=en&rowid=33
May the peace of our Lord be with you! Again, a pleasant day!

At this point, my beloved fellowmen, we are going to continue with the Bible study that we are doing. As you all know, in this particular series, we are discussing about the beliefs of the INC, which was founded by Mr. Felix Manalo here in the Philippines.

If you still remember, during our last episode, we discussed Rev. 7:2-7, which according to the INC’s allegation, the angel there ascending from the east was Mr. Felix Manalo, while the four angels holding the four winds were the Big Four. But we have proven in our preliminary discussion that their claims were highly improbable. At the same time, we have learned also that the scenario that God showed John in the Book of Revelation was not in the Philippines, but in Israel. In fact, the 144,000 servants of God who were sealed in their foreheads came from the tribes of the children of Israel. This is the reason why Mr. Felix Manalo could never be the angel ascending from the east. We must not conclude that since the Bible made reference to “east”, it already refers to the Far East, which according to the INC, is the Philippines. Our proof that the scenario in Rev. 7:2-3 was not the Philippines is, the fact that the ones who were sealed by the angel were the children of Israel, and not the Ffilipinos.

The question that we left last time was, who was the angel ascending from the east? Who were the four angels holding the four winds being mentioned in Rev. 7:2-3? What other details are related to this? These are the questions that we shall try to answer as we continue studying the word of God. For us to realize who the angel ascending from the east is, which according to the INC was Felix Manalo, let us find out first what angel was it. Let us see from the book of Revelation the significance of the scenario, which John saw. And I want to read Rev. 7:1-3 once again.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor in the sea, nor on any tree.”

If you noticed, there was the existence of the winds, which were being controlled by the four angels who were standing in the four corners of the earth. The mere fact that the angels were preventing the winds from blowing only proves the presence of the four winds. And why were the four angels holding the four winds? “…. That the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”

In this particular scenario, it was clear that the four angels were already positioned, as the prevented the four winds from blowing. And after these things, St. John said, “And …” which means that the action in verse 2 is a continuation of the action in verse 1. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east.”

Please, take note. St. John, here, was referring to another angel, and this means that this particular angel is different from the four angels that have been previously mentioned. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God.”

This angel is apart from the four who were tasked to prevent the winds from blowing on earth. And this angel, who was ascending from the east was said to have a seal of the living God.

“And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.”
What did the angel ascending from the east tell the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth?

“Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

We shall try to analyze these verses. St. John said that he saw another angel ascending from the east. Based on the INC’s explanation, this angel was Mr. Felix Manalo, because for them, the angel being mentioned in Rev. 7 was not a real angel, but only a symbol. They also alleged that this particular angel was not from heaven. This could be reflected in an article entitled “Apocalipsis 7:2-3”, which was published in the May 1976 issue of the “Pasugo”.

“Ang anghel sa hula’y isang mangangaral
Di anghel sa langit na inuutusan Hindi espiritu yaong kalagayan
Kundi taong sugo na dala ay aral.”

(The angel in the prophecy is a preacher)
(Not an angel from heaven that can be ordered)
(Not a spirit)
(But a man who had been sent to deliver the teachings.)

For them, the angel in Rev. 7:2 was neither a real angel, which is a spirit being, nor an angel that could be ordered to do something, but a man who had been sent to deliver the teachings of God. Even the four winds were also human beings, for them. They claim that the four winds were the Big Four, and they were also messengers of God. This was stated on p. 33 of the July 1963 issue of the “Pasugo”: “Ang apat na anghel na pumipigil sa hangin ay mga pinuno ng bansa, na ito’y mga sugo rin, o anghel ayon sa I Ped. 2:13-14.” (The four angels holding the winds were leaders of nations, who were also messengers, or angels according to I Pet. 2:13-14.)

In other words, if we are going to consider their explanation, the four angels, who were the Big Four, were also messengers. If we are going to analyze the explanation which they gave to the word “angel”, you will realize how they are misleading the people. They interpreted the angels in Rev. 7:2-3, not as literal angels, or angels in spirit form, but merely human beings. But let us read Rev. 7:11-12 to find out if their interpretation is correct.

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God.

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

In Rev. 7:1-2, the word “angel” was used, and it was also used in verse 11 of the same chapter. But it did not mention that these angels were different from each other. If the angel in Rev. 7 referred men, who, according to the INC’s “Pasugo”, were the Big Four, how about the angels in Rev. 7:11, which says, “all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts”.
Inasmuch as the verse did not mention any difference in its use of “angel”, it should follow that, if, in verse 1, it referred to men, the angels in verse 11 must also refer to men. But the point is, these angels were not human beings, and neither can we say that they are human messengers, because these angels were standing around the throne of God, together with the 24 Elders and the 4 Beasts. That is why, we cannot say that the word “angel” in Rev. 7:1 refers to man, but the angel in Rev. 7:11 were real angels. There is no mentioning that the angels in verse 1 have a different state of being from the angels in verse 11.

If we are meticulous students of the Bible, we should not be easily persuaded by the preconceived notions of Mr. Manalo and his cohorts. I am sure that, starting today, you would spend time examining the doctrines of the INC – that the angels in Rev. 7:1—2 were not literal angels but men. That is wrong! I am sure that they were real angels, and not men. They were angels from heaven. Why did I say that? Because there angels were together with other angels, and they were standing around the throne of God.

Should they insist that the angels in Rev. 7:1 were different from the angels In Rev. 7:11, ask the INC ministers to prove their allegation. If they cannot do it, that means that they just make angels as spirit beings if they want to, and as human beings if they also want to. I am sorry to say this, but their claim that the four angels were the Big Four is wrong. You see, God will not make people who are against His righteousness His messengers. An enemy of God’s righteousness, like Satan, can never be a messenger of God.

They also claimed that the Big Four – Clemenceau, Orlando, Wilson, and Lloyd George – were also messengers of God. Let us consult the Bible if their claim was true. If we are seeking for an explanation to what the Bible said, it is the Bible that we have to consult, not a World History book, nor the dictionary. As written in Isa. 34:16, “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fall, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.”

Thru the spirit of God, there is no need to consult other books to understand the things that had been written in the Holy Scriptures. As mentioned, we only have to seek out of the book of the Lord and read, and none of them shall fall short. That is why, if you have read the word “angel” from the Bible, you also have to find out, from the Bible, what the word “angel” means. If you have read the word “messenger” from the Bible, you also have to search the Bible its meaning. Do not turn to Webster’s Dictionary. Neither use commentaries of others, nor the World History book of Slosson, Boak, and Anderson. That should not be the case. If you have read a word from the Bible, seek for its meaning right from the Bible also.

If we are going to analyze, one by one, the verses that we have read fron Rev. 7, you will notice that, as early as verse 1, the angels there were not mere human beings. They were not the Big Four. Why? It was said that the four angels were holding the four winds. Question: Can an ordinary human being control winds? If we are going to consider the natural order of things, no human being can control winds, be they as powerful as Wilson, Clemnceau, Lloyd George, or Orlando. Men do not have the capacity to control winds. Eccle. 8:8 says, “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit.”

No man has power over spirit. It is beyond the power of man to control spirit, and winds. And this fact is further proven in Prov. 30:4, “Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?”

These are the marvelous things, which cannot be done by man. That is why we are being asked, Who had ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who had gathered the wind in his fists? Could there be any man who can gather the wind in his fists, or control the winds, at least? Who had bound the waters in a garment? Controlling the wind and controlling the spirit are two of the things which an ordinary man cannot do. This is the reason why we are saying that, the ones controlling the winds were not the Big Four. Instead, they were real angels, who have the power to control the winds, which were about to blow on earth. And you can discern the authority of the angels in Rev. 7:3. The angel ascending from the east shouted at them. What did he tell them? “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees” .

In other words, the four angels have the power to hurt the earth, the sea, and the trees. This is the reason why the angel ascending from the east told them not to hurt the earth, the sea, and the trees “till we have sealed the servants of OUR God in their foreheads.” This means that the God of the angel ascending from the east is also the God of the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth. They have ONE and THE SAME God, as implied by “OUR GOD”. And this would not apply to Mr. Manalo and the Big Four, because the god of Mr. Manalo was different from the gods of the Big Four.

Please do not be deceived by those who would say that they all have the same god . . . that all churches pray to one and the same god. That is a big lie! It is not true that all people and all religions acknowledge but one and the same god. The Seventh Day Adventists say that they do not eat pork because their god prohibits eating pork. But if you will ask the Catholics why they are eating pork, they would say that, their god does not prohibit the eating of pork. Therefore, the god of the Catholics does not prohibit the eating of pork, while the god of the Adventists prohibits the eating of pork, crabs, and all of those that are without scales. Do they have the same god? You see, even in the Bible, not all people acknowledge the same god. There are people who acknowledge the real God, yet, there are also people who do not acknowledge the real God. Gal. 4:8 says, “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.”
People who do not know the real God serve other gods. That is why, people of different religions acknowledge different gods. If we are to back to the angels in Rev. 7:2-3, very clearly, all of them worship the same God. The God of the four angels and the God of the angel ascending from the east are ONE and THE SAME.

The four angels could never be the Big Four, and neither could the angel ascending from the east be Mr. Felix Manalo. Why? … because the god of Mr. Manalo was different from the god of the Big Four. They had different religions. One of the Big Four was an atheist, while the three others were either a Catholic or a Protestant. Based on what the Bible said, the God of the angel ascending from the east was also the God of the four angels. However, the god of the Big Four was different from the god of Mr. Manalo. In fact, for the INC of Mr. Manalo, the Protestants and the Catholics were of the devil. This was written on p.3 of the August 19961 issue of the Pasugo: “Dapat din nating itakwil ang Iglesia Katoliko at iba’t ibang Iglesia Protestante sapagka’t sila’y kay satanas o sa demonyo.” (We must also reject the Catholic Church and the different Protestatnt Churches because they are not of God but they are of Satan, or the devil.)

But let us presume for a while that Mr. Manalo was, indeed, the angel ascending from the east, and he was shouting at the four angels, whom they alleged as the Big Four. The question now is, has there been a point In history when Mr. Manalo got the chance of talking, even at least, via long distance, or overseas call, with President Wilson, or with Lloyd George, or with Clemenceau, or with Orlando? Did he get the chance to talk with any of them? No! There had never been any communication between Mr. Manalo and the Big Four, while Rev. 7:2-3 clearly tells us that there was a proper coordination between the angel ascending from the east and the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth. Why do we say so? … because they were able to seal the servants of God. As mentioned in Rev. 7: 4, St John said, “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

So, the task of sealing was fulfilled, and this was done among the children of Israel, not in the Philippines, not with the Filipinos. The four angels understood the task that the angel ascending from the east had to fulfill. That was why they did not hurt the earth, until the servants of God had been sealed on their foreheads. These angels understood each other; they coordinated with one another. Whereas, Mr. Manalo had never been heard at all by Wilson of America. He did not even get the chance to talk to Lloyd George, Orlando, and Clemenceau. The truth is, Mr. Manalo had long been shouting before the Big Four was formed. Mr. Manalo began preaching in 1913, while the Big For was organized only in between 1917 to 1919, when the League of Nations was formed.

We are now sure that these angels were not human beings, contrary to the belief of the INC of Mr. Manalo. Why? … because these angels have the power to control the winds. They were controlling not only one wind, but four winds. And the angel, who was shouting at the four angels, was bearing the seal of the living God. He was tasked to seal the servants of God, and he succeeded in doing his work because he was able to seal 144,000.

Our question is, who could these angels be? If they were not ordinary men, who are they? Let us begin with the angel ascending from the east, who was tasked to seal the servants of God. According to the prophecy, who was he?

Ezek. 9:3, “And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was to the threshold of the house and he called to the man clothed with lines, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.”

Who was he? … to the man clothed in linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. (Ezek. 9:4) “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”

Ezekiel’s prophecy made reference to “a man clothed in linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.” Something was written on his side. And this man clothed in linen was ordered by God, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men …” He would put a mark on their foreheads, and the ones that would be sealed were those who were sighing to their abominations. They were those who did not conform to their wickedness. The man clothed in linen would put a seal on their foreheads.

Our question now is, who is this man clothed in linen, who was tasked to set a mark upon the foreheads of the people of God? Who is the man clothed in linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side?


Rev. 19:7 says, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

It made reference to the Lamb. And we know very well who the Lamb iis. John 1:29 says, “The next day, John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

The Lamb is no other but our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 19:7-8 says, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean, and white: for the linen is the righteousness of saints.”

Who was granted to be arrayed in fine linen? According to the Bible, the Lamb, or our Lord Jesus Christ, was granted to be arrayed in linen. That is why the man clothed in linen, which had inkhorn on his side, being mentioned in Ezek. 9:3-4 was nobody else but the Lamb, or Christ. Christ was the one granted to be arrayed in fine linen (Rev. 19:7-8). And the man clothed in linen (Ezek. 9:3-4) was given the right to go through the midst of Jerusalem to set a mark upon the foreheads of the servants of God. Do we have a proof in the Bible that Christ was the one who put a seal on the foreheads of the people of God?

Rev. 14:1, “And I looked, and, Lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousands, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”

In other words, what the Lamb, or our Lord Jesus Christ , marked in the foreheads of God’s servants is the name of the Father and His name. How many were sealed? 144,000. Who sealed them? … the angel ascending from the east. Who is the angel ascending from the east? …. He was the man clothed in linen. Who was the man clothed in linen, who sealed God’s people on their foreheads? … our Lord Jesus Christ. He sealed 144,000 from the tribe of the children of Israel.

For this reason, we can conclude that Mr. Manalo is not the angel ascending from the east. The angel ascending from the east represents our Lord Jesus Christ. John saw Him ascending from the east. Question: Where did Christ come from? When He was introduced, where did He come from? Mat. 2:1 says, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”

Where was our Lord Jesus Christ born? … in Bethlehem of Judaea. The direction that the Bible speaks of was correct. Our Lord Jesus Christ came from the east. Christ appeared in the east of Israel – in Bethlehem of Judaea.

Therefore, the details of Rev. 7:23 were not realized in Mr. Felix Manalo, but in our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? He was compared to an angel. And it is but rightful that He be compared to an angel because He is powerful. He can control the winds. He could be compared to an angel because there is a part in the Bible that referred to Him as the “voice of an archangel” (I Thes. 4:16-17).

Mr. Manalo is not the angel ascending from the east because the task of sealing, which was assigned to him, was fulfilled in Israel. The four angels were not the Big Four, because the four angels had the power to control the four winds.


Actually, the INC believes that the wind refers to war. This was published in their “Pasugo”.

“Ayon kay Isaias, ito ay digmaan.
Ang karo’t kabayo’y mga kasangkapan
Ang mga kabayo pag nananalakay,
Mga tao’y takot at hindi mapalagay.
Katuparan nito’y pawang isinulat
Ng tatlong lalaking pawang manunulat.
Sila’y si Slosson, Anderson, at Boak.
Aklat Pandaigdig ang nagpapahayag.
Pawang mga tangke ang nasabing karo
Ang kabayo nam’y mga eroplano.”

(According to Isaiah, it referred to war
The chariot and the horse were instruments therein
The horses, when making assaults
The people felt afraid and restless.
These were a realization of what had been written
by three penmen
Slosson, Anderson, and Boak
in a World History book.
The chariots were tanks
The horses were the airplanes.)

In actuality, chariots are being drawn by horses. In fact, if you will refer to the Bible, a chariot, like the chariot of the Pharaoh, is drawn by horses. And as far as the INC is concerned, the chariots symbolized the (battle) tanks, while the horses symbolized airplanes.

Biblically speaking, the chariots and the horses are linked together. A chariot is normally drawn by horses. However, if the horses signified airplanes, and the chariots were airplanes, then, the INC’s interpretation is very ridiculous. Have you ever seen a battle tank being drawn by an airplane? Well, I have not! You see, if you are going to substitute the meaning that the INCs had given to chariots and horses, it would mean that the tanks were being drawn by airplanes, inasmuch as, in real life, chariots are being drawn by horses.

Besides, the INC’s explanation of the four winds is incomplete. Although we are accepting that one of the meanings of “wind” in the Bible is “war”, but take note that Jer. 4:11 also mentioned of a “wind”. It says, “At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem. A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse.”

Jeremiah mentioned only one wind – a dry wind. Yet, in Rev. 7, there were four winds. “And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth.”

How many winds were the four angels holding? As seen by St. John, there were four winds. The INC interpreted one of the winds as war, but there were four winds. What, then, is the significance of the other winds? And why don’t I believe that the wind signified the war in 1914? … because war was just one of the winds. The book of Revelation mentioned four winds. So, if one of the winds meant war, what about the three other winds? Those winds were no longer explained by Mr. Felix Manalo. I am calling the attention of all the ministers of the INC. What is the meaning of the three other winds? If one of the winds meant war, what did the other winds signify? But whatever explanation you may give, I am sure that, that was not the war in 1914.

Meanwhile, we will reserve our discussion of the three other wind when the INC have given their explanation.

So, until here, and we are inviting you to stand by for our next discussion on the wrong doctrines of the INC.

Is Mr. Felix Manalo the angel ascending from the East being mentioned in Rev. 7:2-3?
URL: http://www.angdatingdaan.org/bibtopics.php?lang=en&rowid=26
Again, we are inviting you to another discussion about faith. What we are doing is an in-depth analysis of the different organizations of faith here in our country, as a fulfillment of God’s commandment that we study His words and that we seek for the truth. Salvation does not happen by accident, and neither is it something that can be attained without exerting any effort. Our salvation is dependent on how we acknowledge the truth, as written in I Tim. 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

In other words, salvation is dependent on how much one has learned the truth. God wants all men to be saved; God wants all men to know the truth for them to be saved. A person cannot be saved if he lacks the effort in finding out the truths. These truths are God’s instruments in saving man, and in making him worthy in the eyes of God.

St. Paul’s teaching was very clear. He said, God wants all men to be saved and to know the truth. But which truth should every man have to know? John 17:17, “Sanctify them through the truth; thy word is truth.”

Therefore, truth that each person must know is the word of God. God’s word is truth. And if man’s salvation is dependent on his knowledge of the truth, it is a must, then, that every man gets to know the word of God, if we want to be worthy in the eyes of God. You see, there are preachers in our time who promise salvation to their members, but they do not teach them the entire truth that the Bible speaks. If you are going to watch religious programs today, you will see that they are practically similar. All of them talk about accepting Jesus … that Jesus is a healer and miracle worker … and then … and then, they will pray in front of a television camera. And then, the members that they have deceived will give their testimonies. They would speak of how Jesus performed miracle in their lives, and how He even helped them in their financial problems. They are all the same. In other words, all of the religious programs today do not have the patience in teaching the people about biblical truths vital to their salvation. But in our humble, little way, this program will try to unravel to each of you all the angles of the truth.

Perhaps, others, especially our foes in faith, will hate us for what we are doing. But is seeking for the truth, you have to study all the angles of how man could be worthy in the eyes of God. That is why we are studying the word of God, and we are going to relate this to the many organizations of faith in our time, inasmuch as all of them claim that they are the truth.

The topic that we are tackling right now is no longer new to you. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) was established here in the Philippines by Mr. Felix Manalo. This is what we are studying. Thru this series of discussion, we will study the INC’s fundamental doctrines. And at present, we are trying to confirm if, indeed, Mr. Felix Manalo is a messenger of God, and not to discredit his person. Our primary intent is to expose the word of God in the Bible, and to show you if Mr. Felix Manalo is a messenger that we should believe in order to be saved.

Like what I have shown you in our previous discussion, the INC is claiming that Mr. Felix Manalo is, allegedly, the last messenger of God. Not only that! They are claiming that Mr. Felix Manalo is God’s last messenger in the last day. And we are expressing our strong opposition to this claim. Actually, if there is one person who should oppose this claim, it is no other but Mr. Erano Manalo, Felix’s successor as the administrator of the INC! Why? … because if Felix is already the last messenger, what, then, is the role of Erano? If Felix Manalo is already the last messenger, it would imply that Mr. Erano Manalo, the present administrator, is no longer a messenger of God! I’m sure you know the meaning of the word “last”. When a person is considered “last”, nobody else comes after him. And since Felix Manalo was already the “last” messenger of God, according to them, then, it follows that, today, there is no messenger of God in the entire INC.

As promised, we shall continue studying the alleged “God’s messenger” role of Mr. Felix Manalo, particularly the INC’s claim that he is the angel ascending from the east.

Rev. 7:1-4 says, “And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

I want you to pay attention to the verses as we analyze them. And later, we will find out if this particular doctrine of the INC is written in the Bible, or if it has any biblical basis at all. We must not forget that this was a scenario in a vision of St. John. St. John said, “And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth.” St. John made reference to the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth. What were the four angels doing? “ … holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”
The INC’s explanation to this is that, the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth represent the Big Four. This allegation was published in the July 1964, 50th anniversary edition of the “Pasugo.” According to them, the Big Four were represented by the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, who were trying to stop the four winds from blowing on the earth. The “Pasugo” said that the Big Four were the four most powerful leaders of the world. They were also called the four ministers of war.

We better refer to p. 33 of the July 1964 issue of the “Pasugo”. It said,

“Ang apat na anghel na pumipigil sa hangin ay mga pinuno ng bansa, na ito’y mga sugo rin o anghel ayon sa I Ped. 2:13-14. Ang hanging pinipigil ay digmaan, gaya ng sinasabi sa Jer. 4:11-13, 19. Ito nga ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914. Ang apat na pinuno ng bansa na kumakatawan sa pagpigil sa digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 ay sina Lloyd George ng Gran Bretanya, sina Clemenceau ng Pransiya, si Orlando ng Italya at Wilson ng Amerika. Sila ay lalong kilala sa tawag na The Big Four. (World History, p. 494).”

(The four angels holding the winds were leaders of nations, who were also messengers, or angels, as written in I Pet. 2:13-14. The wind that they were controlling refers to war as mentioned in Jer. 4:11-13, 19. This was the war that broke out on 1914. The four leaders of nations who worked on the prevention of the war, which broke out in 1914, were Lloyd George of Great Britain, Clemenceau of France, Orlando of Italy, and Wilson of America. They were better known as the Big Four. (World History, p. 494)

That was the statement of the INC of Manalo, which was published in their official organ, the “Pasugo”. Based on their interpretation, the four angels holding the four winds were the Big Four, and according to them, the wind refers to war. It is in this aspect that I want to give a thorough analysis and scrutiny. If you will notice, it was the four angels, who, according to them were the Big Four that St. John saw first. They were standing in the four corners of the earth. What do you think were they doing there? Were they simply standing by there? Of course not! They were, in fact, fulfilling a task. They were preventing the four winds from blowing. You see, if there was only one wind that needed to be stopped, then, there was no need for the four angels. Only one angel could have done that. But inasmuch as there were four winds that had to be prevented, the four angels were needed there. They were preventing the four winds from blowing on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. The four angels were already there, trying to control the four winds, before the event in verse 2 happened.

I am inviting all the meticulous and intelligent members of the INC, including the lawyers and judges who belong to that group. You will agree with me that the deduction and conclusion given to you by Mr. Manalo and his ministers is biblically wrong! Why? Based on the verses that we have cited, the four angels were already standing in the four corners of the earth. What were they doing? They were preventing the four winds from blowing on the earth. After that, what was the next scenario? Verse 2 begins with a conjunction “and”, which means that it is a continuation of the preceding verse (1). “And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.”

Very clearly, the four angels were already there before the angel ascending from the east appeared. And as he was ascending, he was shouting at the four angels. He was telling them, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.”

Now, let us make a substitution. Let us take for granted that the INC’s deduction, or allegation, is true. If the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth were the Big Four – Clemenceau, Wilson, Lloyd George, and Orlando, and if the angel ascending from the east was Mr. Manalo, it would mean that the Big Four were already positioned in the four respective corners before Mr. Manalo appeared. But that was not what happened. If we are going to look back at history, Mr. Felix Manalo began preaching in the Philippines in 1913. But, granting that he really began in 1914, the question is, where were the Big Four during that time? Their alliance was not formed yet in 1914. Meaning to say, Mr. Manalo was already preaching before their group (the Big Four) was formed. Therefore, the series of events would not fit St. John’s vision because Mr. Manalo appeared ahead of the formation of the Big Four. In fact, the Big Four was organized only in the 80’s or 90’s. As far as historical records are concerned, Mr. Manalo came way, way ahead of the Big Four. Mr. Manalo has long been preaching before the Big Four was organized. But biblically speaking, St. John saw the four angels already positioned in the four corners of the earth, controlling the four winds from blowing, before he saw the angel ascending from the east. In other words, the INC’s explanation is the opposite of what the Bible says.

On that particular aspect alone, the INC”s deduction is already proven wrong, especially so if we are going to consider their explanation to the significance of “ascending from the east”. They said that, this referred to the gradual popularity of the INC. What the Bible said was, St. John saw an angel ascending from the east. But based on the INC’s explanation, it was their church that was ascending because it was already gaining popularity. And this is a very gross mistake.

One more thing, the Bible said, the four angels were preventing the four winds from blowing. According to the INC, the wind symbolizes war. And they based their deduction on Jer. 4:11-13, 19. It says,
“At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse.

Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! For we are spoiled.

What is this “wind”? In verse 19, “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.”

What, according to them, did the wind symbolize? They said that the wind refers to war – the war in 1914. That is wrong! Why? Granting, without accepting, that the wind referred to war, where did this war take place? Is it a war in the Philippines, or a world war? Let us read the verse once again: “At that time shall it be said to his people and to Jerusalem …”

Therefore, it was a war in Jerusalem, and not in the Philippines. And definitely, it is not the 1914 war! Why? “At that time shall it be said to his people and to Jerusalem. A dry wind …” It speaks of a wind – just one wind – while the Book of Revelation mentions four winds! Did you see the discrepancies in the explanation of the INC ministers? There were four winds in the Book of Revelation, but when they read the Book of Jeremiah, where they based their explanation, they only read about one wind. Nonetheless, they still concluded this also refers to the winds in the Book of Revelation. There were four winds in the Book of Revelation. How come, Mr. Manalo gave meaning only to just one wind? Let us go back to the Book of Revelation. “And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”

How many winds were the four angels standing in the four corners of the earth trying to control? There were four winds. But granting that they were correct in using Jer. 4:11-13, 19 as a basis to their conclusion that one of the winds referred to war, how about the three other winds? I once told the INC ministers that, if Mr. Manalo is really a messenger of God, then, he should have taught them the symbolism of the three other winds being mentioned in Rev. 7. Do you know what they told me? They said that the three winds are just in my mind. And I even thanked them for that answer because they, in effect, admitted that they couldn’t explain the meaning of the three other winds because they do not know it … because they are all in my mind.

If the winds in the Book of Revelation were the same with the wind in the Book of Jeremiah, which refers to war, definitely it does not refer to the war in 1914! Why? This is what Jer. 4:11 says: “… shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness towards the daughter of the people …” Where did it come? It came to the City of God, Israel, and not to the entire world. The whole world is not the City of God. There are many nations on earth which are not of God. According to the prophecy, there is a dry wind, not four but one. However, the Book of Revelation mentioned four. In other words, the prophecy of Jeremiah is short of three winds. But this was not given any explanation by Manalo. But even if such was the case, still, the INC’s interpretation is wrong. Why? This particular prophecy did not happen in the Philippines! It says, “to Jerusalem, a dry wind of the high places in the wilderness towards the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse …”

Does it refer to literal wind? No! It says, the wind shall neither fan nor cleanse. However, when the literal wind blows, it fans and cleanses. But this wind is a dry wind; it does not refresh one. It does not cleanse. Instead, it makes one dirty. What is this wind?

(Jer. 4:12) “Even a full wind from those places shall come into me: now also will I give sentence against them.”


In other words, this wind refers to the sentence of God. This wind is a punishment of God to Israel. Which wind is it? Let us continue. (Jer. 4:13) “Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as whirlwind.”

So, this is a whirlwind. And this wind has chariots. Do you know that the INC interpreted these chariots as tankers that rotate 360 degrees?

“… and his horses were swifter than eagles.” According to the INC, this refers to the aerial cavalry; those were airplanes whose chariots are swifter than eagles.

“Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.” The INC asserted that this speaks of a recent war, specifically the war in 1914.

“Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles: Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.”

Therefore, this wind represented destruction. And from Jeremiah’s prophecy, the Lord said that this destruction will come to the children of His city. What is it?

(Jer. 4:19) “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.”

So, this refers to war. Where? It is the war in Jerusalem. It speaks of the destruction of Israel. In fact, verse 20 says, “Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.”

It was, indeed, referring to war, and this war will result to massive destruction. Which war was it? It was the war in Jerusalem, not in the Philippines. And was there really a war and destruction that came to Jerusalem? Let us find out from Matthew 24:1 what our Lord Jesus Christ prophesied.

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

The laying of hands on Mr. Felix Manalo, founder and leader of the Iglesia ni Cristo
URL: http://www.angdatingdaan.org/bibtopics.php?lang=en&rowid=32
We are inviting you to another important discussion on matters which are vital to our salvation. And these are the teachings of God. And as we have promised you, we shall continue tackling about the church which Mr. Felix Manalo established here in the Philippines in 1914 – the Iglesia ni Cristo or INC.

The topic that we would like to talk about, this time, concerns Mr. Felix Manalo’s being a messenger of God, according to them. But let us find out from the biblical standards if Mr. Felix Manalo is, indeed, a messenger of God. This is not to malign, or to put him in an embarrassing situation. We know very well that the personal life of a dead person should no longer be talked about, but the matters concerning principles. Actually, today, despite the fact that Darwin had long been dead, he is still talked about. People still talk about the good and the bad things that he did. And the same thing happens to many of the prominent men who had passed away … and one of them is Mr. Felix Manalo, who became known, not only in this country, but also in some other parts of the world that had been reached by the preaching of the INC.

We will try to confirm from the Bible if he was really a messenger of God. You see, Mr. Manalo ascribed so many titles to himself, one of which is that, he was “the angel ascending from the east” being mentioned in Rev. 7:2-3. This claim could be read on p.29 of the July 1964 issue of the Pasugo. And this was written by a certain Joaquin Balmores. In that write up, they were claiming that the angel ascending from the east was nobody else but Mr. Felix Manalo.

Actually, the INC has many other claims, which they published in their “Pasugo”. In one of its issues, they claimed that Mr. Manalo was the “one shepherd” in John 10:16. In another issue, they claimed that he was the “worm Jacob” in Isa. 41. They took so many titles from the Bible and ascribed them to Mr. Felix Manalo. But in fairness to him, we shall not explain these matters based on our opinion only. We shall quote parts of their articles in the “Pasugo” for you to see what we are talking about. At least, even if we cannot talk to each other face to face on a debate, thru this, you can weigh both sides – theirs and ours. We will read their publications, and we will refute their claims by referring to what the Bible says. For them, Mr. Felix Manalo is a messenger because he built a church, and this is the INC.

Somebody once accused the Ang Dating Daan, in a letter, of maligning Mr. Manalo when we said that he built a church. But our statement was based on a document, which was a certified true copy of their registration to the Securities and Exchange Commission. And this was duly signed by the former Secretary General of the INC, Mr. Atanacio Morte.

If you were going to consult Mr. Webster for the meaning of the word “founder”, he would give you, “the one that takes the first step in building.” That is why, if we are going to consider what the poem on p. 26 of the November 1977 issue of the “Pasugo”, they were, in effect, implying that that the INC in the Philippines was really founded by Mr. Felix Manalo. This is what the second stanza said:

“Salamat na lamang at sa siglong ito
Sinugo ng Diyos na mangaral dito
Ang aming kapatid na Felix Manalo
Di siya nagtatag ng iglesiang bago
Itinuloy niya’y Iglesia ni Cristo
Inaral niya’y sadyang ebanghelyo.”

(Thanks that in this century
God sent here to preach
Our bother Felix Manalo
He did not build a new church
But just perpetuated the Church of Christ
He preached the true Gospel)

If you are going to analyze the stanza, it was saying that Mr. Manalo did not build a new church. On the other hand, their registration stated that Mr. Manalo was the founder of their church. Besides, while stanza two denied that Mr. Manalo built a new church, stanza four was contradicting it.

“Ang iglesiang ito ay iglesiang tunay
Si Cristo ang ulo, ito ang katawan;
Narito ang ating tanging kaligtasan,
Narito ang ating walang hanggang buhay
Dito namin kayo inaanyayahan
Magsilapit kayo sa tunay na Ilaw.”
(This church is the true church
Christ is the head, this is the body;
This is where our salvation is
This is where eternal life is
We are inviting you here
Come to the true Light.)

In other words, what they were referring to, here, is their own church. That is what they regarded as the true church. “Si Cristo ang ulo, ito ang katawan” (Christ is the head, this is the body). Which “body” are they referring to? They were referring to their church. But that is not right! Let us read what Ephe. 4:4 says. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.”

If there is only ONE BODY, that body does not have any duplicate. If this church in the Philippines is the “body”, that would mean that the body had become two. Their poem said, “Ang iglesiang ito …” (This church …) which church are they referring to? Of course, to the church, which was preached by Mr. Manalo in the Philippines, and which, according to their registration, was founded by Mr. Felix Manalo.

The Bible said, “There is one body.” Which is that “one body”? Rom. 12:4-5 says, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

In other words, as early as the first century, there was already a “body”. The “body”, which was built in the first century, was comprised by the Apostles, the prophets, and the early Christians. If we are going to accept that there is another “body” here in the Philippines, that would make the body two. Let us repeat what their poem said. “Ang iglesiang ito ay iglesiang tunay/ Si Cristo ang ulo, ito ang katawan.” (This church is the true church/ Christ is the head, this is the body).

If what they said were true, it would appear that there are two bodies. But based on the Bible. God does not want the church to be two. No! There is but “one body”; there is but one church. We, Filipinos, are Gentiles. But, should Gentiles have another “body” here in the Philippines? Let us read Ephe. 3:6,

“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”

What must we, Gentiles, do? Shall we have another “body”? No! There is but “one head”, and He is Christ. Christ is the head of the “body”, and the “body” is the Church. And that “body” was already existing even during the time that our Lord Jesus was still on earth. If there would be another “body”, which the INC claimed is their church, that would mean that, that “body” is headless. Why? … because Christ is already the head of the church being mentioned in the Bible. And it is possible that another church would be built here in the Philippines. As the Bible said, we cannot have another “body” apart from the one which was mentioned in the Bible. “The Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body.” That is why, what we are supposed to do is to make ourselves a part of that “body”. We must not claim that we are the “body”, instead, we must only be parts of the “body”. We must join the body. The “body” is already formed. Since the first century, it was already existing; there was already a “body of Christ” being mentioned. What must we, who are living in this period, do? We must make ourselves parts of the “same body” by means of our acceptance of the Gospel. (Ephe. 3:6) “That the Gentiles shall be fellow heirs, and of the same body.”

We are not the “body”; we are only parts of the “body”. For instance, a house is already existing. So, you do not have to build another house. You only have to get inside the house. We, Gentiles, shall be made parts of that “body”. We are not supposed to have a separate body here in the Philippines, unlike what the poem in their “Pasugo” said:

“Ang iglesiang ito ay iglesiang tunay Si Cristo ang ulo, ito ang katawan” (This church is the true church Christ is the head, this is the body).
Unfortunately, we cannot agree that the INC here in the Philippines is the “body”. That cannot be! Why? If your church is the “body”, what would happen to the first body? Just try to think about it. God would not permit that another “body” would be built. Remember what Ephe. 6:6 said? We will only have to make ourselves parts of the “body”, which, even during the time of Christ, was already existing, according to the Bible. That is why the poem of Mr. Jose Esperanza Cruz, which was authorized by the Administration of the INC to be published in their “Pasugo”, contradicted what the Bible said. While they claimed that Mr. Manalo did not build a new church, but only perpetuated the church of Christ, their registration stated that their church was founded by Mr. Felix Manalo.

Their claim that their church is the true church, and Christ is its head, is wrong! If that is so, it would mean that there are now two bodies. However, God does not permit that the “body” becomes two. Let us read our basis.

[Col. 3:15] “And let the peace of God dwell in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.”

Therefore, there is but “one body”. The “body” remains one; the church is just one. Whoever builds another church are an anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-Apostle, and anti-God. Why? … because according to God … according to the Bible … according to the Apostles, there is but one body. There is no need to build another church. All that we, the Gentiles, have to do is to become a part of the “body” by means of our faith in the Gospel.

Now, let us proceed to our main concern. Let us find out if Mr. Felix Manalo is, indeed, a messenger of God. We will not be hasty in our conclusion that he is, or he is not, a messenger of God. Let us give him the benefit of the doubt. Let us presume that he is really a messenger of God.

First of all, let me give you a background on how the Bible introduces true messengers of God. Let us find out how their role, as messengers, began. Do you know that these messengers have a special role in God’s historical and religious book – the Bible? This is what St. Paul said about God’s messengers and leaders in Gal. 1:13-16.

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

The great messengers of God were already tasked to perform a specific role even while they are still in the womb of their mothers. Their tasks begin from the womb. In another verse, we will prove that the leaders of God are already being prepared for their task while they are still inside their mothers’ wombs.

[Jer. 1:4-7] “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall speak.”

Therefore, God already has a plan for His messenger while he is still inside the womb of his mother.
Our question is when did Mr. Manalo begin as a messenger? Did he begin while he was still in his mother’s womb? I will share with you a little background on the life of Mr. Felix Manalo. This is not my concoction. It was published in their Pasugo Yearbook. It said:

“Sa pagitan ng 1911 at 1912, si Felix Manalo ay umanib naman sa mga Adventista del Septimo Dia (Sabadista). Naging mahalaga siyang tagapagpalaganap ng relihiyong ito. Kasalukuyan siyang nagtatagumpay sa kanyang mga gawain sa relihiyon nang ang kanyang asawa ay namatay. Pinangatawanang lalo ng ebanghelista ang kanyang gawain.”

(In between 1911 and 1912, Felix Manalo joined the Seventh Day Adventists. He became a vital instrument in the propagation of this religion. While he was succeeding in his religious works, his wife passed away. The better the evangelist assumed his responsibility.)

Noong 1913 ay nangibig si Felix at naging karapatdapat siya sa pagtatangi ng kaibig-ibig na dalagang si Honorata de Guzman, na naninirahan noon sa Avenida Rizal, Maynila. At isang hapong uulan-ulan bahagya, isang araw bago sumapit ang ikadalawampu’t pitong taon ng ebanghelista, and magkatipan ay ikinasal sa Singalong ng pastor na si Emiliano Quijano ng Christian and Missionary Alliance. Mula noon, ang mga bagong kasal ay nagtuloy sa Malolos, Bulakan sapagka’t doon bagong nakadestino ang ebanghelista.”

(In 1913, Felix fell in love, and became worthy of the care of a lovable maiden, Honorata de Guzman, who was, then, residing in Rizal Avenue, Manila. And in one drizzling afternoon, a day before the twenty-seventh birthday of the evangelist, the lovers got married in Singalong, and their wedding was officiated by a pastor, Emiliano Quijano, of Christian and Missionary Alliance. From there, the newlyweds proceeded to Malolos, Bulacan because that was where the evangelist was assigned.)

Please take note that Mr. Manalo was once a member of the Seventh Day Adventists. But when he got married, the pastor who officiated their wedding was from the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Why are we mentioning these things? To malign the person of Mr. Manalo? No! We are only looking back to history. They were wedded by a pastor from the Christian and Missionary Alliance when he was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist, the church that prohibits the eating of pork. But before he became a member of this church, he was a member of another church. Let us read a part of the narration.

“Noong siya’y magbalik sa Maynila, ipinagpatuloy ni Felix Manalo ang kanyang pag-aaral ng Biblia sa Presbyterian Ellinwood Bible Training School. Mayroon silang lalong mabubuting pamamaraan kaysa mga Metodista.”

(When he returned to Manila, Felix Manalo continued his study of the Bible in Presbyterian Ellinwood Bible Training School. They had better procedures than that of the Methodists.)

In other words, he used to be a member of the Methodists.

“Siya’y nangasera sa bahay ng isang pag-asawahang Presbyteriano, sina Esteban Aquino at Rita Bagni na naninirahan sa kanto ng mga daang Carolina at Cortabitarte sa Malate. Nagkalapit ang mga kalooban nila at itinuring ng mag-asawang di magkaanak na higit sa isang anak si Felix. Ang mag-asawa ay umanib sa lahat ng mga relihiyong kinabibilangan ni Felix Manalo. Si Esteban Aquino ay namatay sa Metodista ngunit si Rita Bagne ay malaon pang nabuhay at sumapi sa Iglesia ni Cristo. Pagkaraan ng tatlong taon at kalahating pag-aaral sa mg Presbyteriano, natuklasan naman ni Manalo ang Christian and Missionary Alliance, kilala sa pangalang Disciples of Christ sa Amerika, at sa kanilang natatanging paraan ng pagbabautismo sa pamamagitan ng paglulubog sa tubig.”
(He boarded in the house of a Presbyterian couple, Esteban Aquino and Rita Bagni, who were living in the corner of Carolina and Cortabirte Streets in Malate. They became close to each other, and this childless couple treated Felix as their own son. This couple joined all the religions that Felix Manalo became a member of. Esteban Aquino died a Methodist, But Rita Bagni, who lived longer, joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo. After three and a half years of studying with the Presbyterians, Felix Manalo came to know the Christian and Missionary Alliance, which was better known in America as the Disciples of Christ. They were also known for their unique baptism, which was immersion in water.)

Why am I reading all these? … because will show you an old document, which our organization keeps. If you are the inquisitive type of a person, you might ask, why is it that, despite his being a member of the Seventh Day Adventists, when Felix Manalo got married, his wedding was officiated by a pastor from the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I will read to you an invitation.

Iglesia ni Cristo Maynila, Disyembre 1918

BUHAY AT KAPAYAPAAN

Ginoo:

Mapitagan naming inaanyayahan ang inyong kamahalan sa gaganaping pagdiriwang ukol sa PAGPAPASALAMAT, sanhi sa ika LIMANG TAONG BUHAY ng “Iglesia ni Kristo” sa Pilipinas at PAGPAPATONG NG KAMAY sa kapatid na Felix Manalo sa tungkuling pagkapastor at tagapamahala ng Iglesia. Ito’y idaraos sa Sine “Gloria” blg, 1649 daang Sande, Tundo, Maynila sa ika-25 ng Disyembre ng taong ito. Sa ganap na ikawalo ng umaga (8:00 a.m.) ng nasabing araw.

Lubos ang aming pag-asa na pararangalan ng inyong pagharap ang nabanggit na pagdiriwang sa araw at oras na nabanggit.

Ang mga gumagalang,

Gustino Casanova Pang. Ng Lupon

Teodoro Santiago Kalihim ng Lupon

Vote for the Truth, and the Truth shall Set others Free
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Assignment ni Luchie Cruz Valdez, Isang malaking kasinungalingan
October 9, 2003

Isa na namiag malaking kasinungalingan ang ginawa ng babaeng natatakpan na ng pera! Si Lichi Cruz Valdez na isang journalist (na walang dignidad at paninindigan sa katotohanan sa report nya kay Bro Eli sa Assignment).

Ang babaeng ito ay isang malaking kasiraan sa mundo ng News Media and Broadcasting dahil sa hindi matuwid na paglalahad ng kanyang report sa Media lalo na sa taong bayan na ang hanap ay katotohanan (dapat ang itawag sa reporting mo Lichi alam mo kung ano? ASSignment kasi isang malaking katarantaduhan ang ginagawa mo sa iyong paghahanap buhay. Hindi mo baa lam na iyo ring pinapahamak ang iyong sariling mga mahal sa buhay dahil sa ginagawa mo? Kung hindi ka naaawa sa mga kababayan mong Pilipino at pati na ang mga nasa ibang bansa maawa ka naman sa mga taong mahal mo sa buhay. Mahiya ka sa balat mo Lichi Cruz Valdez alam mo kung ano ang totoo na talagang bumubulong bulong ka sa Report o Video na pinakita ng Ang Dating Daan Channel SBN 21. Huwag kang magsinungaling! Huwag mong lokohin ang taong bayan! Kung kaya mo ginagawa yan ay dahil sa PERA! KAWAWA KA NAMAN. ANG TAWAG SAYO ISANG TAONG MUKHANG PERA. MUKHANG PERA! WALANG HIYA KA AT HINDI KA NA NAHIYA SA PAGPUPUTOL MO NG VIDEO.

Sa mga taong nakapanood, papayag ba kayo na ginagago kayo ng Lichi Cruz Valdez ng ABS CBN Assignment? Tatangkilikin nyo pa po ba ang ganitong mga kasinungalingan? KAYO PO ANG HUMATOL SA MGA TAONG ITO.

ABS-CBN Management Against Bro Eli Soriano "Special Assignment Featured last Oct 1, 2003 11:30 pm Channel 2" Philippines

ABS-CBN management,

Tungkol sa featured nyo sa Special Assignment ni Luchi Cruz Valdez, sana naman mag practice kayo ng fair journalism. Halata naman na ang layon ng programang inyong pinalabas ay upang sirain si Bro Eli Soriano. At mga tape na ginamit ay galing sa Iglesia ni Kristo ni Manalo na walang pahintulot na ilabas ng mga taga dating daan,

Hanga pa naman ako sa inyo, kaso ISANG MALAKING KAHIHIYAN ANG GINAWA NYO SA INYONG BROADCST NETWORK DAHIL HALATANG NAGPAPAGAMIT KAYO SA IGLESIA NA ANG ALAM AY MANIRA AT HINDI KAYA SA KATWIRANAN sa biblia.

BAKIT HINDI KAYO MAG FEATURE AT SABIHIN NYO NA LUMABAN NG ISANG MAGINOONG DEBATE ANG PUNO NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO NI MANALO AT NG PANIG NG ANG DATING DAAN? HAHANGA AKO SA INYO PAG NAGAWA NYO YAN. Pero sa palagay ko gaya ng sabi ng biblia natakpan na ang mga mata nyo ng pera.

Sinasabi nyo pa naman na 50 years na kayo! Kahiya hiya naman ng dahil sa pera nasusuhulan kayo para manira, masisira rin kayo.

Huwag sana kayo magpagamit at masilaw sa salapi! Dahil may katapusan yan.

How does the Bible differ from other books?

http://www.angdatingdaan.org/bibtopics.php?lang=en&rowid=13



Is everything written in the Bible true? Are there proofs, or evidences, that the Bible really came from God?

Our concern, this time, is to compare the Bible with other books that provide pieces of information about God, like the Koran, the Book of Mormons, the Vedas, and others. In fairness to our Muslim brothers and sisters, we will also study the Koran, and we will compare every available book of religion in our search for the truth. And we will do it by using the Bible as our basis.

Must we believe the Bible? Did it really come from God? How does the Bible differ from other books written by man? … These are the questions that we will seek answers for.

We must not accept the other’s contention that the Bible must not be believed in because it was simply written by men. It does not always follow that if a work was just written by man, it is no longer true, and we must not believe it anymore! Actually, the Koran as well the Book of Mormons was also written by men. But, there is something unique about the Bible. It was written by, more or less, 40 penmen. But they wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their writings were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. Must we believe everything that was written in the Bible? We are going to answer all these, one by one, thru the Holy Scriptures.

One of the vital issues that many people raise is that, the Bible contains many contradictions. This impression usually comes from the Muslims, and we cannot just ignore them. Presently, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide and they multiply in number quite fast. Almost ¼ of the people on earth are Muslims. That is why we must not take them for granted. We should not ignore them. We must investigate on the validity, or invalidity, of their claims. Besides, it is wise for a Christian to know the deepest part of the Bible, which is the basis of our faith.

Are there really contradictions in the Bible? In a commentary made by Ahmed Deedat about the Bible, he said that, the Bible contains a number of errors and contradictions. And it is on that premise that we are going to begin our discussion: Insofar as the word of God is concerned, will there ever be a possibility that God would contradict Himself?

First of all, to contradict oneself is against the law. The law, particularly under the Rules on Evidence, states that, you cannot contradict yourself. You just cannot stand on something today, which you will deny, or falsify, the next day!

The following are the instances of conclusive presumptions:

a) Whenever a party has, by his own declaration, act or omission, intentionally and deliberately led another to believe a particular thing true, and to act upon such belief, he cannot, in any litigation arising out of such declaration, act of omission, be permitted to falsify it; (Rule 131 (a), Rules on Evidence)

b) A witness may be impeached by the party against whom he was called, by contradictory evidence, by evidence that his general reputation for truth, honesty or integrity is bad, or by evidence that he has made at other times inconsistent with his present testimony, but not by evidence or particular wrongful acts, except that it may be shown by the examination of the witness, or the record of the judgment, that he has been convicted of an offense. (Rule 132, Rules on Evidence)
If we, human beings, are given the responsibility not to contradict ourselves, more so with God! Just like what Romans 14:22 says. “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”

That is the principle of the Bible: Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allowed. You see, it is not right that a person condemns, or contradicts, the things that he had previously agreed to. It will appear that he is without principle. But God is a principled God! So, therefore, God will never contradict Himself; God will never oppose Himself!

Another proof that the words of God are not contradictory is in Proverbs 8:8-9. It says, “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.”

This is the claim of the God in the Bible. This is quite a tough claim. And the Koran does not have this kind of statement. This is a statement of assurance, or guarantee, to the readers of the Bible. Unfortunately, the Vedas of the Hindus, the Book of Mormons, as well as the other books that claim that they are of God, do not offer that kind of assurance. It is only in the Bible that you can read such kind of a definite pronouncement. And it was God, Himself, who said this, which was, in turn, written by King Solomon. “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.”

God said, ALL! And whenever a pronouncement comes from God, rest assured that they are all of righteousness. And should you find any false pronouncement, they did not come from God. Unlike the book of Bahaula, which claimed that God created everything pair by fair. At first glance, the claim may seem to be correct. Left hand is paired with right hand; right foot is paired with left foot; right ear paired with left ear; man is paired with a woman; tall and short, etc. However, after reading a Science book entitled “The Wonders of Creation,” I found out that God created something without a pair. Examples are the spyrogyra. They are one-celled plants and animals that reproduce through asexual reproduction. They do not need a female to reproduce. They reproduce by cell division. There are no males and females. In other words, Science had proven Bahaula’s claim to be wrong. However, the Bible declares that, “ALL the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.”

And if anyone can prove that God had made false pronouncements – even a single wrong pronouncement – then, we must not believe the Bible anymore! But, God claimed that, there is nothing false or perverse in His words.

On the other hand, if there are no contradictions in the Bible, why is it that in one verse it tells that Joaquim will reign for 8 years, while in another, it tells that he will reign for 18 years? Are they not contradictory? Granting without accepting, the question is, why do situations like that arise? Gen. 2:16-17 says, “And the Lord God commanded the man saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

These verses were read by Mr. Damian Sotto. He even continued reading until Gen. 3:4, which says, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Are they not contradictory, or not? Sotto would ask. God told Adam, on the day that you eat the fruit you shall surely day. On the other hand, the serpent said, you shall not die. And Sotto would insist that those verses contradict each other.

On the surface, it may appear to be right, but, if we are going to study the verses very well, we will come to realize why those statements are contradictory. The first statement came from God, while the other came from the serpent. And the guarantee that God gave concerns ONLY HIS WORDS. None of His words are contradictory. But do you know who is that serpent, whose words are against the words of God? In Rev. 12:9, it says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Who is the serpent? He is Satan. No wonder, why he was uttering statements that contradict God’s, because he is an enemy of God. But, as far as the words of God are concerned, there are no contradictions! NONE! Therefore, if statement contradict each other, for sure, one of them did not come from God. Another example is I Cor. 6:12. “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”


To some people, if you will ask them, all their actions are lawful and correct. For example, there are people who add little sugar to their “adobo” because they prefer their “adobo” to be a little bit sweet. For them, there is nothing wrong with that – which only shows that, for some people all the things that they do are lawful and correct. But if we are going to continue reading, it says, not all things are expedient. That is why, conflict and contradictions are bound to arise.

But, God is an absolute God! He is upright and righteous! Unlike man! Not everything that man perceives to be righteous is also righteous in the sight of God. Why? Prov. 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

A person may perceive one particular path/way to be right, but is only insofar as his personal perception is concerned. For example, a grandmother reminded her granddaughter, “Child, think very well before you go with that man.” And the granddaughter would answer, “You have no right to meddle in my personal affairs. In the first place, you are not the one who’s going to live with him! The trouble with you is that, you still interfere in matters of the heart. What about my feelings?”

For that girl, her decision was correct. She had been greatly impressed by Mr. X, that is why, she did not take heed to the counsel of her grandmother. And it was only after marriage that she discovered of the guy’s evil ways. And, she ended up weeping. The Bible said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end there of are the ways of death.”

That is why, whatever man thinks to be right may not be absolutely right for God. More often than not, what man perceives to be right is wrong. For these reasons, contradictions are bound to happen. And if ever the Bible contains contradictions, it is primarily because, not all the words there came from God! The Bible is a compilation of truths. But whether something is a lie, or the truth, that is the reality. They did happen, and they were all written in the Bible. Everything had been recorded in the Bible so that man will be able to distinguish the truth from lies. We have to exercise our wisdom in discerning which words are of God, and which are not. The Bible exemplifies the whole world. In this world, there are cheaters and there are people being cheated; there are robbers, and there are those who are being robbed; there are fornicators, while the others are their objects of fornication. All kinds of people are there. And, if we are going to adapt everything that they do, this world would become a very chaotic place.

The Bible is picture of the entire world, and it tells the complete story to the whole of humanity. And it is up to us to pick out what is good and leave what is bad. However, there are people who prefer the bad than the good. That is why, the outcome is also bad.

So, whenever you read the Bible, please, check first whose pronouncement we are reading. Are they from God, or not? If they came from God, we can be sure that they are absolutely correct … they are free from all flaws and errors … and they are free from any kind of contradiction. But if they did not come from God, definitely, they will oppose God’s words. You see, not all things written in the Bible are words of God. It also contains words of angels, and also words of those who do not believe in God. In fact, Psalms 53:1 says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt they are, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”

The fool denies the existence of God. Right, or wrong? There are a lot of people today who do not believe in God. There was one 53-year old atheist – a non-believer of God – who was often seen in Plaza Miranda. And there, he, together with Sotto, was trying to defend his disbelief in the existence of God. He would even quarrel with people who believe in God. One time, while he was driving, he lost control of the brakes. And it so happened, that a truck was already before him. You know? When he was about to collide with the truck, he shouted, “Oh, my God!” See? When on the verge of death, it is God that they call upon. The same thing our neighbor. When he was still strong and healthy, he never believed in God. But when he had stroke, he learned how to call on God. That is why, the Bible described the non-believers of God as “fools.” Now, we can read from the Bible, “There is no God.” But who said it? Was it God? Of course, not! It was said by the fool!

If you were God, will you declare that there is no God … when you are a God? That is why, what the some people say, that the Bible is the word of God, is wrong. Even the words of the fool are also written in the Bible … even the words of the devil … even the words of those who do not believe … just like Thomas when our Lord Christ resurrected. (John 20:25) “The other disciples therefore said upon him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

What kind of words are those? Those are the words of someone who does not believe. He will never believe unless he sees. That is where the saying, “to see is to believe,” came from. But is that correct? Have you seen your mind? Not yet! But does that mean that you do not believe the existence of your mind simply because you have not seen it? To say that you will not believe unless you see it, is a wrong principle.
In other words, in the Bible, there are words that came from non-believers, and there are also words that came from believers, like the centurion. In Mat. 8:5-10,13, it says, “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. … And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast beleiveth, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Those are the words of a person with a very strong faith. He believes that even if Christ would not go to his place, his servant would be healed. No need to touch thee TV screen, as a point of contact. Christ simply uttered the word, and the servant was healed. But, was the servant, that was healed, a man of faith, or not? He had been bed ridden, so, how could he have faith? How could he believe? Nowadays, preachers, who introduce themselves as “men of God,” still instruct their ailing viewers, or listeners, to touch their radio or TV set, if they want to be healed. That is plain “acting.” When Christ healed the servant, He did not have to go to the house of the centurion. He only said the word, and the servant was healed. And Christ healed even the non-believers. Unlike the pastor today who have to do a lot of acting. If they are truly men of God, then, they must have the capacity to heal all of those who are sick. They must prove that they can do what our Lord Jesus Christ did. They are just fooling the people. And I am reminded by what the “Pasyon” says:



“Ang mga pagmimilagro (The miracles that they perform)
Tutulungan ng demonyo (will be assisted by the devil)
Anopa’t mangangabayo (He will go riding a horse)
At dito sa buong mundo (And in this whole world)
Maghahari itong lilo (This deceiver will reign)


They are very dangerous, my fellowmen. Please, take caution.

Going back to our topic, definitely, there are contradictions that can be read in the Bible, inasmuch as, not everything that it contains came from God. The Bible is a compilation of all the events. The Bible contains the words of those who are on the side of God; there are also words coming from those who are against God. There are words coming from the preachers of God, there are also words from the preachers of the devil. It contains words from the prophets of God, and also words from false prophets. It contains the words of man, the words of animals, and the words of plants. In fact, King Solomon was able to converse with a plant.

Others might say, “That is not true! How can a plant talk?” Recently, it was discovered in Japan, thru the modern technology, that a plant has the capacity to listen and to feel. They placed a connecting rod and sensor to the plant, and they played a jubilant music. The result was that, the plant became happy. But when they played a melancholic music, the plant also became sad. The leaves began to wither. That is why, if you are growing flowering plants, you must talk to them. The same with animals. There are also things that make pigs happy. Try playing fast music in the pigpen, and see how the pigs relish their food. But try playing a solemn and somber music, and probably the pigs will no longer eat with gusto. What the Japanese discovered, that plants and animals can also feel, like human beings, must be true. Just try observing your pet dog at home. If a stranger comes to your house, it will surely bark. But once you try stopping him, the dog will obey. What do I mean to say?

In the Bible, King Solomon understood the language of the plants and animals. St. Paul, on the other hand, understood the language of the angels. This is the reason why, we are saying that, the Bible is a compilation of every truth regarding life here on earth and in the heavens. In other words, there are many speakers in the Bible, and not all utterances came from God. For that reason, we cannot claim that there are no flaws in the Bible, because there are pronouncements here, which came from the non-believers. Like what we can read in Job 22:15, “Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?” When this part was read by those who lacked understanding of the Bible, they readily remarked, "“Those who are in Soriano’s Dating Daan (the Old Way) are wicked!” Simply because they read that, they old way was trodden by wicked men, they already made a sweeping conclusion. Obviously, the ones who said that were not using their heads. If that pronouncement really came from God, then, by all means, we will not be against it. But, it did not! Now, if God will be asked, what did He say about the “old way”? In Jer. 6:16, it says, “Thus said the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”

God said that, the old path is the good way. But, why was there a claim that the old way was trodden by wicked men? Did that statement come from God, or from somebody else?

In studying the Bible, you have to find out first who is the one speaking. And then, verify who is he talking to, and when did it happen. You have to establish all these details first for you to see and understand the truth. For example, did God really say, “Be fruitful and multiply?” Yes, He did! But the question is, to whom did He say it? Was it to the drunkard? If that is the case, then, the earth will be filled with drunkards! There might be a shortage of liquor, when it happens. Was God, then, talking to the drug addict? Why don’t we read the Bible to confirm, whom was God talking to. In Gen. 6:13-14,17, it says, “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without pitch. … And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die.”

Was humanity wiped out, or not? How many were left? Eight: Noah and his household. All the wicked were eliminated. And after the universal deluge, God spoke to Noah. Gen. 9:1 says, “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”
Who was God talking to? God was addressing the upright men. Otherwise, if he was also addressing the wicked, why, then, did He have to eliminate the rest of mankind? The ones who were commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” were the 8 upright souls – Noah and his family.

The problem is, even those who lack sense of responsibility … even the jobless, who have nothing to feed their children, thought that they were also being commanded to multiply! This world will become a miserable and a despicable place if it will be filled with irresponsible people. The commandment, “Be fruitful and multiply,” concerned only a particular group of people … at a particular period of time. Do not interpret the Bible by yourself. Chances are, your interpretation is wrong! What do I mean to say?

If you are going to study the Bible, you must bear in mind that, although the Bible contains the words of God. And, although it is a revelation of the Almighty … although it is a compilation of old truths about men and God, it also contains pronouncements, which did not come from God. It also contains words that contradict God’s words. But we are not concerned about those. Our main concern is the words of God, written in the Bible. And how are we to know whether a pronouncement came from God? Prov. 8:8-9 says, “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.”