Of Life’s Vicissitudes and God’s Promise

“These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. ….” I Peter 1:7, New Living Translation

“Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.” –Psalm 32:10, New Living Translation

“Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me.” –Psalm 50:15, Today’s English Version
TALKING ABOUT VICISSITUDES, not only does the sea’s ever changing surface but life’s unpredictable nature come to mind as well. As defined, they are the unpredictable changes or variations that keep occurring in life, fortune, etc. – hence, shifting circumstances. They are life’s ups and downs, so to speak.

No one living in this world is spared from experiencing both light and trying times. The poor and the affluent have their own alternating share of contentment and worries. Observably, though, the worries come in droves for both. And when they start coming one after another, there is no telling how fear grips the heart. But ought we to sit on a chilling problem and let fear take its toll on us?

From whom inward peace emanates
Come to think of it, when we always think about the things that cause us to worry, the more that we shall have no peace or quietness within us, thus:

“For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3:24-26, New International Version)

Mulling over one’s miseries won’t drive them away. Sighing and groaning won’t stop water-laden clouds from bursting and pouring out in torrents. Worrying would only aggravate the situation – robbing us of peace, quietness, and the much-needed rest.

God does not want His people to continually suffer inner turmoil. Rather, He wants us to have inward peace as what the Psalmist declares: “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him” (Ps. 62:5, Contemporary English Version). Indeed, we ought to look toward God for the peace that we so desire, for He knows what’s best for us. He knows what the future has in store for us.

There is hope for the futureWhen the Israelites, God’s people of old, were taken into captivity at the height of the Babylonian supremacy, they had a truly dark existence. They could only mourn and weep. But God, in all His mercy, comforted them through the prophet Jeremiah, thus:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded’, declares the LORD. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future’, declares the LORD. ‘Your children will return to their own land’.” (Jer. 31:16-17, NIV)

From this message of God to the Israelites comes a lesson in perspective. The horizon may be dim and prospects truly bleak, but even in the tightest of situations, God is able to squeeze His people out. Indeed, there is always hope for the future, through God’s help.

Will bring much praise, glory, and honor
For true Christians trials are not to be feared. Tests are a welcome treat. Apostle Peter said:

“These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (I Pet. 1:7, New Living Translation)

By analogy, Apostle Peter showed how one’s faith is tested to be strong and pure. Gold, a prized metal, is rid of its impurities by subjecting it first to the fire. And one’s faith is far more precious to God than mere gold! Members of the true Church of Christ are truly blessed for remaining strong in the faith. The fiery trials that they triumphantly hurdle will bring them much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

An opportunity for joy“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” (James 1:2-4, Ibid.)

Apostle James, the overall administrator of the first-century Church of Christ, couldn’t have said it better. A positive look at trouble couldn’t have been more enunciated. The fledgling Church was struggling for survival through fierce persecution and the faith of the brethren was being put to a test. Apostle James admonished the Christians to let troubles be an opportunity for joy. The test to one’s faith provides endurance and opportunity to grow and develop, molding the brethren to be strong in character and ready for anything.

Pitting one’s self against the harsh realities of life early on and emerging unscathed is reflective of strength of character, the strength to maintain one’s faith.

A time to rejoiceEasier said than done, but for God’s faithful, running into problems and trials is a time for rejoicing, thus:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Rom. 5:3-5, Ibid.)

Like Apostle James, Apostle Paul talked about running into problems and trials as good for the brethren as they help them to learn to endure. He averred that endurance develops strength of character, thus affording the Christians, the members of the Church of Christ, confident expectation of salvation.

‘Cheer up … I have overcome the world’Apostle Peter, James and Paul merely learned what they shared with the brethren from our Lord Jesus Christ. During His ministry on earth, Christ cheered up His servants, thus:

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Living Bible)

Our Lord Jesus Christ knew too well what his disciples would go through as He Himself was not spared. He was very much aware of life’s trials and sorrows that were to be encountered on earth. But, He steadied the disciples’ resolve with the inspiring words, “I have overcome the world.” Moreover, before leaving, Christ bade His disciples, thus:

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, Ibid.)

Our Lord Jesus Christ lived at a time when the Roman empire was at its peak and the world (the whole span or extent of the empire) was enjoying some amount of relative peace – pax romana. It was a fragile kind of peace, for ensuing centuries saw turbulent times.

The worst trial brings great rewardThen as now, life’s vicissitudes abound. A condition of constant flux or alteration, leaning heavily on the negative or the worst, does happen. Nonetheless, the admonition of the author of the letter to the Hebrew Christians rang clear:

“Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Heb. 10:35, NLT)

No matter what, God’s people are exhorted to have confidence in Him. They ought to remember always the great reward awaiting those who trust in what He can do and survive the worst of trials.

So much is at stake. Members of the Church of Christ cannot risk throwing away the great fortune and blessing – the demonstration of God’s love for them, thus:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom. 5:8-9, New King James Version)

The Church of Christ is set to receive the great reward as it was redeemed by Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Being purchased by the blood of Christ is equivalent to being redeemed, saved, and hence, receiving the reward. The prophet Isaiah had long announced this, thus:

“Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him”’ And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” (Isa. 62:11-12, NKJV)

God’s offer
Benevolent and kind, God wants to see His children being able to hurdle all of life’s difficulties. Through the psalmist, God desires them to experience His loving care, thus:

“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. …Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD’.” (Ps. 32:8, 10, NLT)

Parents are expected to walk with their children through life. Conscientious parents truly want their children to succeed. They give them sound advice, solicitously watch over them and guide or lead them through turns and bends. Paradoxically, there is a limit to what parents, even those with the noblest of intentions, can do. None among them can say with finality: I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. But, the Father Almighty can, and will. His unfailing love surrounds those who trust Him.

The condition setThat the Almighty Father is kind, tolerant, and patient is beyond doubt. He has proven this since time immemorial. However, man, the recipient of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience has laid them to waste by his transgression of God’s commandments. However, God does not at once mete out punishment for the sinners. Instead, He gives them time to reflect and to turn from their sins, thus:

“Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?” (Rom. 2:4, Ibid.)

If this is not the epitome of kindness, what is? The sad truth is, many people just don’t care to realize how God is long-suffering toward us that we may be put right with Him. There is no question about it: He could easily snuff out our life. But, generous as He is, He affords everyone a chance.

‘I would not forget you’
Bible history attests to man’s ingratitude. God’s centuries of cuddling Israel went unappreciated or even unrecognized, thus:

“Yet Jerusalem says, ‘The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us’. Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” (Isa. 49:14-15, Ibid.)

The ought to quell any rising accusation against God – that He deserts or forgets His children. “Never!” is God’s resounding answer. Even if it were possible for a mother to forget her nursing child or to feel no love for a child she has borne [nowadays there are indeed mothers who abandon their biological children], God stands pat: “I would not forget you!”

‘Call to me when trouble comes’
The world is too much to bear. There are times when even God’s people are too perplexed to even think of a solution to their problems. God says: “Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me” (Ps. 50:15, Today’s English Version).

Infants should not be baptized

Mario Duerte Wrote:

I ATTENDED YOUR worship service with a friend and noticed that in one part of the service, the minister prayed for an infant brought in front of the congregation by its parents.

I asked my friend if what I saw was the counterpart of infant baptism. He answered me that it was not. Thus, it led me to write you to ask why there is no infant baptism inside the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Editor's reply:

The Lord Jesus Christ states that those who have been preached the gospel and believed in it will be baptized (cf. Mk. 16:15-16).  Infants cannot believe in the gospel because they do not yet have the capacity to understand. Faith or belief in the gospel is attained by listening to the message and believing in it. The message should be preached by messengers sent by God (cf. Rom. 10:17, 14-15). These elements (preaching of the gospel and listening to it) have to be present; thus, the listener should have the faculty to comprehend and believe in, which infants do not have. Hence, they should not be baptized. The Apostle Paul stated that, “Anyone who lives in milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” (Heb. 5:13, New International Version).

Infants are offered to God through prayer and the laying on of hands as set by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’.

 “When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” (Mt. 19:13-15, NIV)  

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com 

"As long as I follow God and Jesus Christ"

Letter from Carlo Ulack 

TO SAY  THE   LEAST,   the doctrine  that membership in the Church of Christ is necessary for salvation is highly problematic. For what about the people to whom it is extremely improbable to preach the doctrines you uphold—like those in very remote tribes or in places where Christianity is illegal? As for me, it's my conviction that as long as I follow God and Jesus Christ I will go to heaven. This is all that matters. I am saved even if I refuse to enter the Church of Christ.

Editor's reply:

Indeed, as long as we follow God and Jesus Christ,   we   can  hope   to go to heaven. However, to say this on one hand while refusing to be a part of the Church of Christ on the other, is an in- consistency, for Jesus Christ, whom God made Savior (Acts 5:31), clearly identified whom He will save:

"I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe." (John 10:9, Revised English Bible)

Clearly,    anyone   who   wants     to be saved   must   enter  into  the   fold through our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul   makes  it clear that the fold or flock referred to is the Church of Christ which Christ   purchased  with His blood: 

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 TransIation, emphasis ours)

Notice that  Jesus  Christ    invites those who want to be saved to enter not just any church  but His  Church, the  Church of Christ. It   is  therefore not surprising that it is the members of the Church of Christ—-those  who heeded Christ's invitation—whom the Bible guarantees of salvation:

"For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has  authority over the church: and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.

''Husbands,  love your  wives  just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it." 
(Eph. 5:23, 25, Today's English Version, emphasis ours)

Lest anyone suppose that   people outside Christ's fold or Church will likewise  be    saved,   the   Bible   ascertains that  "God will   judge  them"    (I Cor.  5:12-13, Ibid.). Therefore, for  a person to go to heaven or be saved, he must not refuse to enter the Church of Christ,  because becoming a member of this Church is,  in  fact,  following the will of God and of Christ.

As to the people who live in places that can  hardly be  reached   by  the preaching of the true gospel, Apostle Paul explained their case in relation to salvation:

"All who sin  apart  from   the  law will also perish apart from the  law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law".

"(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law   are  written on their hearts,  their consciences  also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing,   now  even   defending them.)" (Rom.   2:12,   14-15,   New International Version)

Apostle Paul   taught  that  those who had   not   received   the   gospel   will    be judged through the law that is written in their hearts with their consciences bearing witness. Those who have not  been reached by the preaching of the words of God also know what is good and bad because there is a law written in their hearts.   For instance,  even  those  who have never heard the gospel   preached know that acts such as murder and theft are evil, for their conscience dictates so. Thus, the people who sin apart from the law will be judged through the law written in their hearts. God will judge those who are being judged by their hearts because He is greater than our hearts, and knows all things (John 3:20).

Nonetheless,   people   like   us   who have the opportunity and means to listen to the true gospel have the responsibility to fulfill what God requires of us in order to be saved. We must "seek the law" because on the day of Judgment, we will be judged according to the gospel (Mal. 2:7; Rom.  2:16). 

Ang kahuli-hulihang pagsusugo

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 aymagiging 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 nanakaupo 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.