Reaching the blissful Holy City

DO YOU WANT to have a vacation?

Probably, you are one of those who feel burned out and dream of going to a place where you can relieve yourself from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy even a few days or weeks of rest and relaxation.

There may be some place where you can try to relax for a while, but we know too well that no matter where we may go in this world, no matter where we may run, we could never fully escape from discomfort, hardships, and problems. Yet, true Christians know that this world is not all there is; they know and believe that there is a place so wonderful that the present world cannot compare with. That place is the kingdom of heaven or the Holy City.

A city of pure gold and of eternal life

The Bible gives a vivid description of the Holy City:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

“The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald. The fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Rev. 21:1-2; 16-21, New King James Version)

Apostle John further describes the Holy City. He wrote:

“In the middle of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:2-5, Ibid.)

Think about this for a minute. A city of pure gold, clear as glass; the building of its wall jasper; the foundations of its wall garnished with precious stones, with its 12 gates 12 pearls; and its street pure gold. In the midst of the street is the tree of life. Is there any place like this in the whole world?

Regarding the life in the Holy City, Apostle John says:

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them, and be their God’. ’And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’.

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from’? And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know’. So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’.” (Rev. 21:3-4; 7:13-17, Ibid.)

In the Holy City, there will be eternal life. Man will enjoy an existence devoid of sorrow, crying, pain, hunger, or thirst, which are all present in this world no matter where we live. In that wonderful place or splendor, God’s servants will be with Him, serving Him day and night. Who among us would not want to live in a place such as this? The fortunate ones will dwell in this place on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:1-3).

The wrath of God in the lake of fire

But, the Holy City is not the only place that the Bible speaks of to which man may go. There is also that which is referred to as the lake of fire:

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20:14, NKJV)

Take a look at how the Scriptures describes how frightening it is to end up in the lake of fire. The Book of Revelation records this grim description:

“He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14:10-11, Ibid.)

In the lake of fire, men will be tormented with fire and brimstone. They will have no rest day or night. Once cast in the lake of fire, there is absolutely nothing that a person could do to get out. He will remain there suffering forever. So, this is the other end – eternal condemnation in the lake that burns with an unquenchable fire. No one in his right mind will ever want to end up in that horrible place where together with him suffering are the devil and his angels (Rev. 20:10; Mt. 25:41).

Reaching the Holy City

The Bible does not only teach us that there is a Holy City and that there is going to be a lake of fire; it also teaches us how to avoid ending up in the latter and make it to the former. Apostle John says this:

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22:14, NKJV)

The blessed men and women who will be granted entrance into the Holy City and will have the right to the tree of life are those who do or obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. Obedience is necessary if we truly want to be saved and reach this beautiful and sacred place. Thus, it is not true that for man to be saved, he only needs to believe in Christ or accept Him as Lord and personal Savior. Faith is important, and so is obedience to or compliance with Christ’s commandments.

One of the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ that one should obey is recorded in John 10:9. This is written:

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

The Lord commands everyone to come into the fold to be saved. Jesus did not say that anyone who just believes or accepts Him as Lord and personal Savior will be saved. Which is the fold or flock everyone should enter?

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

So, for us to reach the glorious Holy City, we must become members of the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo

Mere membership in the Church is not sufficient

But there is another thing everyone must understand. Although joining the Church is very important, it is not the only thing a person needs to do to attain salvation. As faith alone does not save, neither does mere membership in the Church.

There are certain things that a person ought to avoid in order to enter the kingdom of heaven or the Holy City. He should make sure that he is not defiled or filthy in the eyes of God and that he is not doing anything that is abominable in His sight:

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes and abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Rev. 21:27, NKJV)

Those who are defiled or unclean and guilty of abominations are people who live in sin and practice the filthy works of the flesh, which were enumerated by Apostle Paul:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21, Ibid.)

We must not do these things in order for us to be saved. We must not embrace heresies or false beliefs even though they may be popular. We should stay away from adultery, fornication, drunkenness, and other things like these, for if we don’t, we would not inherit the heavenly kingdom of God. Those who do these evil things will find themselves consigned to condemnation in the horrible lake of fire. This is written:

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8, Ibid.)

There are only two places where a man will end up on Judgment Day: the Holy City or the dreadful lake of fire. The former provides eternal life and blissful existence with God and Christ; whereas, the latter offers painful torment and terrible agony and anguish with the devil and his angels. Not only did God describe the kind of life present in both places, but He also taught how man can reach either place. If one does not want to be punished but be saved and live in the Holy City, he must join the Church of Christ. It is by joining this Church and living a Christian way of life until the very end (Mt. 24:13) that we will be certain to reach the heavenly kingdom for all eternity.

Does it mean that Catholic traditions are not necessary because they are not recorded in the Bible? And If such traditions are really unnecessary, then, why did Apostle Paul admonish them to hold to these traditions?

"Traditions as essential as the Bible?"

Letter from Narciso Teodoro:

AS A CATHOLIC, I believe that it is not only the Bible but also the Apostolic traditions that must be upheld. We Catholic adhere to traditions as much as to the bible because they are also Christ's words and deeds which do not contradict but only supplement the Scriptures. Just because Catholic traditions are not recorded in the bible doesn't mean that they are not necessary. As far as Christ's salvific mission is concerned, we are bound to believe. And if traditions were really unnecessary Apostle Paul would not have admonished to hold on to these, as he exhorted in II Thessalonians 2:15: "Therefore. brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (New King James Version)

Pampanga, Philippines

Editor's reply:

That Catholics adhere to traditions, aside from believing in the bible, is an indisputable fact that needs no further elaboration. But what do Catholics exactly mean by tradition? A Catholic bishop defines it, thus:

"By divine tradition is meant the revealed truths taught by Christ and His Apostles, which were given to the Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible, though they were put in writing principally by the Fathers of the Church." (My Catholic  Faith, Louis LaRavoire Morrow, p.18)

Traditions, then, are the teachings that "were given to the [Catholic] Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible." Why do Catholics believe in traditions? The same author maintains that the Bible cannot be the sole guide to salvation because

"The Bible does not contain all the truths necessary for eternal salvation." (Ibid, p.21)

Thus, Catholics uphold traditions because they believe the Bible is incomplete and hence, it needs to be supplemented. To supplement means to add something to, especially so as to make up for a lack or deficiency.

Does the Bible need to be supplemented? No. Apostle John was very clear on this matter, thus:

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (Jn. 20:30-31, New International Version)

The Bible, by itself, is sufficient to guide man towards salvation. Hence, it does not need any supplement or addition. Those who add to God's word as well as those who subtract from His truths written in the bible will not be saved (cf. Dt. 12:32;Rev.22:18-19).

What about the supposed admonition of Apostle Paul to hold fast to traditions?  Did Apostle Paul really exhort the Christians to uphold traditions? Notice what he said:

".....stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word OR OUR EPISTLE" (New King James Version, emphasis ours).

The traditions mentioned by Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 2:15, do not refer to Catholic traditions which have been handled down by WORD OF MOUTH only ---NOT through epistles or letters. Then, what is the real meaning of Apostle Paul's pronouncement in the said verse? In the New International Version, this is what is written:

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."

What are these teachings which every Christian ought to uphold? The same verse as rendered in the Today's English Version says:

"So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter."

Apostle Paul advises us to hold to the truth and stand firm in it.

What is the truth? The truth is God's words which are written in the Bible and which will sanctify and guide man toward salvation (cf. John 17:17; II Timothy 3:15-17). Apostle Paul warned against people who insist that human traditions are necessary in serving the Lord, thus:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8, NKJV)

Why did the apostles warn the observers of traditions? Because followers of traditions are all too ready to transgress God's laws in order to comply with their handed-down beliefs as the Scriptures attest:

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men---the washing of the pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do. And He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition'." (Mark 7:8-9, Ibid)

For man to be able to keep God's words faithfully, he must always bear in mind Apostle Paul's  admonition not to go beyond what is written (cf. I Cor. 4:6). Thus, although our Lord Jesus Christ did many works which were not recorded in the Scriptures, it is the written or recorded ones that will be the basis of our salvation. □

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Where Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo will reemerge does not depend on the economic conditions prevalent in its country of origin. That is, in spite of man's prejudices, it is always God's purpose in election that stands (Romans 9:11-12).

The true religion from a third world country?
(The big brother argument: non sequitur)

Tim Johnson Wrote;

I AM AN American and my upbringing tells me that most of the good things in life flow from a progressive country to those in the Third World. Underdeveloped and developing nations are highly dependent on a progressive country in terms of economy and finances.

Spiritually, the West sends religious  missions with accompanying material benefits to those in need in different parts of the world—the Philippines included.

How, then, could you say that the Iglesia ni Cristo is man's vehicle for salvation when the country itself from which it emerged is still a developing nation? Wouldn't it be logical for God to choose a country far more equipped to help others to be the place from which the true religion would originate?

Editor's reply:

There is no significant connection between the affluence of a country and its being the place of origin of the true religion. Your view that most of the good things in life flow from progressive countries to poor ones may be true in terms of economy or finances.

However this observation may prove to be wrong in  other cases, For instance, it does not apply to the direction that the true religion must take in its missionary expansion.

That the true religion or the true Church  must necessarily originate from affluent  nations is belied by biblical proof.   Christ Himself said:

Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours!" (Lk. 6:20, TEV)

Moreover, the Holy Scriptures testify:

Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. This means that no one can boast in God's presence. (1 Cor. 1:26-29, TEV).

In the same way, it was God's divine will and purpose to choose Bethlehem to be the place of origin of God's Son, Jesus Christ, as it is written:

The Lord says,
         Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times. (Micah 5:2, ibid)

Should we question God for choosing Bethlehem, a small town, to be the birthplace of Jesus? Should we not believe Jesus because he did not come from an affluent town?

Though common human views may agree with your contentions, the Bible does not. In fact, when God first chose a nation to be His own, He elected Israel, the smallest nation on earth (cf.Dt. 7:7).

The Lord did not love you and choose you because you outnumbered other peoples; you were the smallest nation on earth. (Dt, 7:7, ibid)

In the same manner it is also up to God to decide where He wants the true Church or true religion to originate. It so happened that in these last days God chose the Far East or the Philippines.

Whether the Iglesia ni Cristo reemerged in a progressive and developed country or otherwise is not the bone of contention. That it is man's vehicle for salvation does not depend on the economic conditions prevalent in its country of origin.

This illustrates the point that in spite of man's prejudices, it is God's purpose in election that stands (cf. Rom. 9:11-12).

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger. (Romans 9:11-12, 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

Why would God choose the Philippines (a small and poor country) out of all the nations in the world to be the place from where the true Church would emerge? .

Why from the Philippines?

Robert Lewis Wrote;

I READ IN your magazine, God's Message, that you claim to be the true Church in these last days. As I continued reading your articles, I was surprised to learn that your Church started in the Philippines. How can your Church be the true Church if it started in a small and poor country like the Philippines? Why would God choose the Philippines out of all the nations in the world to be the place from where the true Church would emerge?

Editor's reply:

We should not be surprised if the true Church in these last days would emerge in what you call a "small and poor country like the Philippines." God does not take a country's size or economic status as His basis in choosing the place from, where His chosen people would emerge. In fact, God chose the nation of Israel not because of its size or its power:

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (Dt. 7:6-7, NKJV)

Even the Savior Himself, the Lord Jesus  Christ, was born in the small town of Bethlehem. Prophet Micah recorded:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” (Mic. 5:2, Ibid.)

Christ was "born in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1) in fulfillment of biblical prophecies:

The scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived. (Jn 7:42, Today's English Version)

Likewise, the emergence of God's chosen people in these last days from a small and poor country in the Far East (Is.  43:5-6, Moffatt), "in the islands of the sea" (Is. 24:15, NIV) is the  fulfillment of biblical prophecies.  As was prophesied, the Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ emerged in the Philippines composed of islands which almost at the geographical center of the Far East (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169)

When God chooses things considered  insignificant by men, it is because He would want to put to shame those considered wise and mighty.:

²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. (I Cor. 1:26-29, NKJV) (emphasis ours)

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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

Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God, that the only true God is the Father in heaven; The Father is the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of all things; God is Spirit, eternal, immortal and invisible.

"Who is the Creator?"

Name withheld Wrote:

I HAVE BEEN bothered by a major problem which started when I read a book advocating atheism. This book influenced my beliefs to the point that I questioned the existence of God.

Atheism really shook me and hurt me inside, for it made me think that all the years of my life were worthless. Now, I am thankful that after a long time of research and rationalization, I am now able to prove to myself and to anyone that a Creator absolutely exists.

But my personal crisis is not yet over. My major problem now concerns discovering who the Creator really is. This is the same problem discussed in the book, "Friend, You Are Not God" written by Jagad Guru, which I was able to read. Isn't it possible that:

1. You are, in reality, the Creator and you just created the universe to be able to play in it? You deliberately forgot your true identity to convince yourself that you are not God because you want to play as a creature and not as a Creator;

2. Some intelligent beings from other galaxies created or manipulated you and put you in this world to play with you or to experiment on you?

The Bible says that God created the universe and everything in it.  I prefer this Bible theory (at least at present) to the two other theories mentioned above because I know it is nearer to the truth. At least this declaration by the Bible is, say 90% possible compared to the two other theories which are, say, only 10% possible. But I don't want to find myself choosing the Bible's declaration just because it is the best among the possible theories but because it is the undeniable truth.

This is my problem. Although the Bible's statement is nearer to the truth, the matter is I can't absolutely prove it.

Also, How can I serve my God with my whole heart, mind, body, and soul if in the first place I have doubts on who He really is?

I said that the Bible's statement is, say, 90% possible. Hence, at least, I have a little faith in the biblical passage. If you would call that faith, would a little faith like mine be enough for me to be saved come Judgment Day? 

Editor's reply:

We are glad that you believe God exists. Indeed, all the living and the vast universe were created by the powerful hands of God.

The Bible teaches who the Creator is. The prophets introduced Him, thus:

"Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?" (Mal.  2:10, New International Version)

"No one has ever seen or heard of a God like you, who does such deeds for those who put their hope in him. But you are our father, Lord. We are like clay, and you are like the potter. You created us." (Is. 64:4,8, Today's English Version)

The prophets stated that the Father is the only true God or Creator. The Lord Jesus Christ attested to this:

''And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God....     "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come'." (Jn. 17:3, 1, New King James Version)

Even the apostles confirmed that-

"Yet for us there is for us but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live." (I Cor. 8:6, NIV)

With regard to nature, God is spirit, that is, He does not have flesh and bones (cf. Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:38-39) and thus, He cannot be seen. Yet, why must we believe that God  exists even though He cannot be perceived by our senses?

"Ever sine God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen;  They are perceived in the things that God has made.  So those people have no excuse at all!" (Rom. 1:20, TEV)

Whatever doubts, then, that you still have in your mind should be replaced  by a solid faith that the Father is the One who created us. God rewards those who have full faith in Him,.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Heb. 11:6, NIV)

On the other hand, what is God's judgment on those do not have faith?

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake  of burning sulfur. This is the second death."  (Rev. 21:8, NIV)

Faith, then, is a very important requirement for salvation. But the faith that will save us is that which is coupled with works (cf. Js, 2:22), for without work, faith, is dead (cf. ]s. 2:17).

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:22, NKJV)

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17, NKJV)

Which work is this? This is the will of God that all men be gathered in Christ (cf. Mt. 7:21, Eph. 1:9-10).

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10, NKJV)

How can men be gathered in Christ?  This is by becoming members of the one body which is the Church headed by Christ (cf. Rom. 12:4-5;  Col. 1:18)—the Church of Christ  (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa).

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we,being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5, NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18, NKJV)

"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)

Indeed, faith in God is very important. But, having faith in Him is proven by our submission and obedience to His will.

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Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity.

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. 

Opting for God’s choice

IN ALL CREATION, there is but one human race. But humans have sub-classified their own race, for instance, according to the color of skin or to the community of the nation to which one belongs. In his epistle, Apostle Peter introduces one blessed race, the chosen race, the holy nation – God’s own people (I Pt. 2:9). It is the same race Apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 2:19 as members of the household of God. This is the race of God’s children.

On the other hand, the Lord Jesus Christ calls a particular group of people as “snakes and sons of snakes” (Mt. 23:33, Today’s English Version). He says that they are of their father, the father of liars whom the Bible describes as “that serpent of old, the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world” (Jn. 8:44; Rev. 12:9, Ibid.). According to Christ, these people are “condemned to hell” (Mt. 23:33, Ibid.).

Cursed race – victims of lies

Theologian John Calvin (1509-1564) held that God ordains some to everlasting life and others to everlasting punishment not because of the good or evil He sees or foresees in men, but because that is according to His sovereign will. This corresponds to some degree to the fifth-century Catholic Church Father Augustine’s definition of predestination “that God predestinates from all eternity the number of elect, that He bestows the grace needed to obtain eternal life without any respect to merits on their part, either before or after the grace is conferred” (Catholic Dictionary, p. 668).

However, the predestination that the Bible mentions is that among all creatures, men alone were predestined by God to be His own children (Eph. 1:4-5). This has been God’s will and plan since the beginning. Indeed, the Bible calls Adam, the first man created in His image, son of God (Lk. 3:23-38; Gen. 1:27-28). The Almighty Father created all men to be His and for the purpose of knowing and serving Him (Ps. 100:2-3).

Why then are there people who belong to the devil when in truth God created them? They became of the devil because they were deceived by him, just as the first couple was deceived and corrupted by his craftiness.

This corruption is made manifest in many people’s conception regarding the Divine Being. Apostle Paul teaches that “since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold, or silver or stone – an image by man’s design and skill” (Acts 17:29, New International Version). Apostle Paul points out that such manner of thinking is ignorance (Acts 17:30). While those who think that God is like gold, silver, stone, or wood are ignorant, those who bow down and pray to or worship graven images are absurd (Is. 46:5-7).

Since nobody would ever want to be counted among the devil’s minions, the devil uses guile to deceive and turn man away from the true knowledge about the Creator, making him believe in graven images. Apostle Paul warns that the wicked one comes with the power of satan, performs all kinds of false miracles and wonders, and uses every kind of deceit on those who will perish (II Thess. 2:9-10).

Idolatry and the devil’s deception

People who call themselves Christians look down at pagans as the ones misled into worshiping idols. But there are certain groups of people who, nevertheless, introduce themselves as Christians yet adore graven images, too. They even claim that their metal, stone, and wooden statues perform miraculous signs. They claim that their so-called “saints” have wept and shed tears of blood, or suddenly appeared on trees, or have rained flowers. The undiscerning who were swayed to believe these claims or, more aptly, deceived, continue to worship these images.

But the Holy Scriptures is very explicit on its stand against idolatry, condemning it as a grave sin punishable by death in the lake of fire (Exo. 20:3-5; Rev. 14:10). In spite of this, many people refuse to listen to the words of God written in the Bible.

The devil also uses people to perform his evil tricks. Hence, one should beware of people who may claim to be iconoclasts or idol-haters but would attract people with miracles and wonders. More often than not, they also are false religious preachers.

The reason God allows people of this world to be deceived was explained by Apostle Paul:

“Because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false.” (II Thess. 2:10-11, TEV)

God allows people to listen and follow deceitful lies because they do not love the truth. For this, they will surely perish.

Man’s hope – the regeneration

Every living person can be restored to his original race and become a member of God’s household according to His plan. This is because God invites man to return to Him (Mal. 3:7) by following Christ in the regeneration (Mt. 19:28).

Christ recognizes those who follow Him in the regeneration as being united in Him. Apostle Paul explains that among the sons of God, there “is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28, New King James Version). Oneness in Christ transcends cultural, political, and socio-economic barriers. There is only one race in Christ – His race – the race of God’s children. This is the regeneration: from being of the devil to being reborn or becoming God’s child through Christ.

The people who follow in the regeneration become one in Christ because they “are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Rom. 12:4-5, Ibid.). This body of Christ is the Church of which Christ is the head (Col. 1:18). Thus, those who follow Christ in the regeneration are the members of His Church. They do not simply profess faith in Christ. Their faith moves them to obey Christ’s commandment of entering the Church which He built. Christ said during the early part of His ministry:

…I will build My church.” (Mt. 16:18, NKJV)

This is the Church of Christ (Rom. 16:16). Thus, it is of utmost importance that man join the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo. To whom do the members of the Church of Christ belong? Apostle Paul made this conclusion:

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:19-22, NKJV)

The members of Christ’s Church have become God’s children and members of His household. They have been chosen from the world and taken away from the devil when they followed Christ in the regeneration. Thus, if man wants to belong to the chosen race of God in these last days, he must join the true Church of Christ. By doing so, he will be fortunate to be freed from punishment on the day of Judgment when this world and its ungodly people shall face their inevitable end (II Pt. 3:7, 10). On that fateful day, the cursed race – those who belong to the devil – shall be utterly destroyed; hence, only one race will remain (Mt. 25:31-34, 41). In hopeful encouragement to all who belong to God’s children, Apostle Paul asserts:

“We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.” (Philip. 3:20-21, TEV)

The proper choice

While it is the unchanging policy of God to choose people for Himself (Rom. 9:11), we humans have been given the gift of free will. But we should remember that we can never escape from the consequences of our choice because God is a just God. The ungodly who reject the will of God will receive His vengeance, that is, eternal punishment (II Thess. 1:8-9). But the righteous or obedient will receive the crown of righteousness – the everlasting life.

We are to choose whether or not to be in accord with God’s will. God’s will is to gather all men in Christ as members of one body, the Church of Christ (Eph. 1:9-10; Rom. 12:4-5; Col. 1:18). We are given two choices, whether to join the chosen race by following Christ in the regeneration – by joining His Church – or forever let go of the chance God has given everyone before He puts and end to evil.

God has chosen, let us opt for His choice.

And This is Eternal Life…

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father…
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, theonly true God,
And Jesus Christ whom You have sent’.” (John 17:1,3, New King James Version)

THE ISSUE CONCERNING the attainment of eternal life will always be essential to the belief system, not only of Christian-professing churches but also of all religious groups that believe in the hereafter and look beyond this present and temporal life. In fact, this is an issue that is unfailingly associated with everything a man does in his service to his Creator or to anyone whom he considers as a supreme being who has power and authority to either reward or punish him. Among Christian-professing peoples, eternal life is the ultimate reward which they eagerly await from God whom they faithfully serve and worship. Their belief and hope in eternal life and the Almighty God who promised it to them is basically hinged on the teachings of the Bible, the repository of God’s revealed truth. It is the Bible which clearly teaches how one can be worthy of God and His grace of the promised eternal life. Hence, those who believe and serve God with the hope of attaining eternal bliss should faithfully obey what the Bible teaches in order that their hope will not end up in vain. What is one of the teachings of the Bible that aspirants of eternal life should understand and fully believe in? The Holy Writ records this pronouncement of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest of God’s messengers:

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent’.” (John 17:1-3, New King James Version)

In this prayer of Jesus to the Father, He affirmed some important doctrines essential to gaining eternal life. He said that the Father had given Him authority to give eternal life to those given to Him by the Father. It is clear then that life eternal is reserved for such people. But for them to receive this, they must know and understand that the Father alone is the true God and that Jesus Christ was sent by Him. Hence, anyone who wants to attain eternal life should be certain that he is among those given by the Father to our Lord Jesus Christ and that he recognizes the Father as the only true God and Jesus Christ was sent by Him. In pointing to the Father as the only true God, which means that there is no true God other than the Father, and in distinguishing Himself from the Father by emphasizing that He was sent by Him, Christ has shown that He should not be recognized as God.

Those given by God to Christ
Inasmuch as eternal life is reserved for those whom God has given to Christ, it is important then that one be counted among them. Apostle Paul taught how man is given to our Lord Jesus Christ:

“God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (I Cor. 1:9, Today’s English Version)

God gives people to Christ by calling them to have fellowship with His Son. How one is called by God to have fellowship with His Son is explained further by Apostle Paul, thus:

“It was for this that he called you when we preached the gospel to you, and he wanted you to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. …” (II Thess. 2:14, Phillips Modern English Bible)

God calls people to have fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel. But this does not mean that all preachers who use the Bible are God’s instruments in calling people. Only God’s messengers have the authority to preach the gospel that will result in man’s having fellowship with Christ. As Apostle Paul rhetorically asked, “how can they preached unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:15, New International Version), pointing out further that those whom God has called to have fellowship with Christ through the authoritative preaching of His messenger are in the one body of Christ:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15, NKJV)

The body being referred to here is the Church headed by our Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18) and called the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). Therefore, those given by God to our Lord Jesus Christ are those whom He called inside the Church of Christ. It is to the members of the Church of Christ therefore that eternal life is reserved, as prayed for by the Savior:

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. ‘And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them’. … ’Father I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for you loved Me before the foundation of the world’.” (John 17:9-10, 24, NKJV)

Their knowledge about God
If ever those given by God to our Lord Jesus, that is, the members of the Church of Christ, recognize the Father alone and no one else as the only true God, this should not surprise anyone. Indeed, this belief in God is one of their marks as true Christians. Apostle Paul points this out emphatically to them, thus:

“Yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live. But not everyone knows this truth. …” (I Cor. 8:6-7, TEV)

For the members of the true Church of Christ like Apostle Paul, there is only one God, the Father. For them, Christ, the Son, is not the true God, for they recognize no other God except the Father although such truth about the true God is not known to everyone. They learned this knowledge not only from Christ but from God Himself who taught:

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from the time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.” (Isa. 44:8, King James Version)

Thus, the members of the Church of Christ do not subscribe to the doctrine of a triune God – a God that is allegedly composed of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who, according to the adherents of this Trinitarian doctrine, are all equal in being God. Such a teaching is unbiblical because it goes against the declaration of God, who says, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me” (Isa. 46:9,NIV).

The true God recognizes no other God beside Himself. Neither does He recognize any equal. Hence, one should not insist that aside from the Father, there are still others who are like Him and co-equal with Him in being God as in the doctrine of the Trinity which holds that besides God the Father, there are still God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Adherents to such a doctrine are recognizing a god other than the Father and therefore they do not have the true God as their God. At best, they are worshipping and serving a false god.

Recipients of God’s loveFor having known and recognized the Father as the only true God as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, the members of the Church of Christ have received God’s love. In fact, this is Christ’s earnest desire in making known to them that the Father alone is the true God. Christ made this clear when He said:

“Righteous Father! The world does not know you, but I know you, and these know you that you sent me. I made you known to them, and I will continue to do so, in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and so that I also may be in them.” (John 17:25-26, TEV)

Indeed, God’s love and that of His Son will abide in those who have known the Father as introduced by our Lord Jesus Christ. And not only have they received God’s love but also the blessing of eternal life as was assured by the Savior Himself when He prayed to the Father, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3, NKJV).

On the other hand, a great misfortune awaits those who do not know who the true God is and, in the process, worship a god other than Him. Apostle Paul points this out in II Thessalonians 1:8-9:

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (Ibid.)

The Father, who alone is the true God, will exact vengeance on Judgment Day on those who do not know and recognize Him as such. He will punish them in the lake of fire with everlasting destruction on the Second Advent of His Son whom He sent to the world in order to make known that the Father alone is the true God, and whom he will send again to judge those who have not come to that knowledge and understanding. Those whom God has given to our Lord Jesus Christ by calling them into the true Church of Christ have come to that knowledge and understanding and therefore they will not be judged on that great day; instead, they will be rewarded with eternal life.