Science vs. the Bible?

Science vs. the Bible?
Or does Science actually Support the Bible?
Sir Isaac Newton, an English mathematician and
physicist, once said, “There are more sure marks
of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history”
(Halley’s Bible Handbook, p.19).

It may seem odd to some people that a
non-theologian and a man of science like
Newton would express such faith and confidence
in the veracity of the Holy Book since, to them,
science and the Bible simply do not blend. They
point out that what the Scriptures explains every
phenomenon in the context of the power of the unknown,
science makes conclusions from carefully tested
hypotheses derived from a series of systematic
procedures known as the scientific method.

Such perception – that there is no harmony
between science and the Bible – is not by any means
new. Scientist during Newton’s time criticized him
for his explanation concerning the apparent irregularities
in the movement of the planets. Newton’s conclusion
– that God must be intervening every now and then to
correct such irregularities – had been dismissed by his
peers as a “desperate hypothesis” because it was “outlawed
by the nature and principles of science” (The Story of
Civilization: The Age of Napoleon, p 324).

Indeed many are inclined to believe that science
and the Bible are irreconcilable and that once science
reaches the “ultimate truth” it aims to discover, the biblical word
would be contradicted and disproved. Even worse, there
are those who have placed more confidence in science and
have rejected the Bible as an obsolete, if not mythical, book.

So we ask this question: Is there really no
compatibility between science and the Bible? Which of the two
is more credible and can offer the ultimate truth? Before we
make any sweeping judgment, we must first establish the foundation
upon which each is based. What must we understand concerning the
foundation of science? A chemist, John W. Hill, admitted:

“Scientists, like other human beings, use intuition and
generalize from few facts. Sometimes they are wrong.”
(Chemistry of Changing Times, p. 6)

Science, it should be noted, is anchored on human
experience and knowledge and, therefore, is subject to error.
What further proves that science is not infallible and cannot
be the supreme arbiter on the “ultimate truth”? In his book
entitle. “Science, God and You”, Enno Wolthvis states:

“The history of science clearly shows that what is
considered scientifically true today may not be so tomorrow.” (p. 47)

Hence, it is not an exaggeration to say that today’s
scientific facts may be tomorrow’s myths. John W. Hill added
that science, as a theoretical framework, is constantly changing,
“ for scientific models are constantly being reevaluated and revised
as new data is obtained” (Chemistry for Changing Times, p. 8)

What conclusion can we draw from the above statements
about science? That science is not as reliable as others may
wish or claim it to be. Science, as history attests,
has always been subject to change and revision.

On the other hand, how dependable are the words of
God written in the Bible? Jesus Christ, in His prayer to the Father, said:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
(Jn. 17:17, New International Version)

God’s word itself is the truth. Is His pronouncement
true only for a particular time and does it change when circumstances
do? Isiah 40:8 states:

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of
our God shall stand for ever.” (King James Version)

The words of God can withstand all scrutiny; they are
error-proof and are surely bound to happen. How strong and powerful
are God’s words? Christ said:

“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear,
not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any
means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
(Mt. 5:18, NIV)

Hence, God’s word is the ultimate truth. Unlike science
which is founded on the uncertainty of human experience, the Bible
rests on the unlimited power and wisdom of the Almighty.




The Ultimate Truth

How was it proven in the long history of man’s
quest for knowledge that while scientific facts vary through
the ages, God’s word had always confirmed the truth? In his
book, “Why We Believe the Bible”, author George W. Dehoff notes:

“When the Bible was written it was universally
believed that the earth was flat. It was argued that should
one go too far toward the edge he would fall off. … Finally,
Magellan and his men sailed around the earth and thus proved
it to be spherical in shape.” (p. 49)

For hundreds of years prior to Magellan’s
circumnavigation of the earth, the general perception was that
the earth was flat. It was then accepted as a scientific truth
despite the great strides man has taken in the fields of science
since the birth of civilization. Only after Magellan sailed
the seas was it established and confirmed that the
earth is not flat but spherical in shape.

But do you know that hundreds of years before
Magellan, it was already pronounced by God through His prophet,
Isaiah, that the earth is round or spherical in shape?
In the Book of Isaiah, this is recorded:

“It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.”
(Isaiah 40:22, KJV)

What else was accepted as scientific truth before
its actual discovery and confirmation? Dehoff continued:

“The ancient Greeks and Romans were the most
advanced peoples of their time, yet they believed that
the earth was held in place by poles or by the neck of Atlas.
Others believed that Atlas had the earth on his shoulders.”
(Why We Believe the Bible, pp. 49-50)

The Greeks and the Romans of old had the most advanced
civilizations during their time. Yet, they believed in something
which today would be considered absurd, if not funny. But had
the ancient Greeks and Romans consulted the Books of the Books,
they would not have embraced such peculiar concept of the earth.
The old testament book of Job, which Bible scholars estimated to
have been written between 600 and 400 B.C. (New Bible Dictionary, p. 598),
has spoken of this ultimate truth:

“He stretched out the north over the empty place,
and hangeth the earth upon nothing.” (Job 26:7, KJV)

God had already stated before-hand what man discovered
hundreds of years later: that nothing supports the earth
contrary to man’s earlier beliefs.

What else was considered in the past as scientifically
correct, only to be refuted by later research and discovery?
Dehoff states:

“The ancients believed that there were only a very
few stars in the heavens. In 150 B. C. Hipparchus said that
there were less that three thousand. In A. D 150 Ptolemy said
there were not more than three thousand. … After the middle ages
and the invention of the telescope, men discovered that the stars
are innumerable.” (Why We Believe the Bible, p. 56)

Did man need to wait for a Galileo to invent the telescope
for him to know that the stars are countless? The Bible states
the following:

“And as the stars cannot be counted nor the sand upon the
seashores measured..” (Jer. 33:22, Living Bible)

What other scientific fact was established only after the
telescope was invented by Galileo? Dehoff continues to say:

“Astronomers have discovered that there is a great empty
space in the North. It contains no moving planets and shining stars.
By turning their telescope to the South, the East, and the West,
men may behold countless millions of stars invisible to the naked eye
but when the telescope is set exactly to the North there is a great
empty space. For this astronomers have been unable to account.
They did not know until recently that there was such and empty space.”
(p. 50)

Did it really require a telescope to know this phenomenon?
The Bible offers this explanation:

“He stretch out the north over empty space.” (Job 26:7, KJV)

Again, God had spoken of the ultimate truth long
before man has discovered it.

Thanks to modern archaeology – another branch of science
– many people who used to dismiss the Bible as nothing but a
book of magical tales are beginning to change their perception.
Recent significant discoveries made by archeologists have contributed
to the growing perception that the Bible is indeed the ultimate truth.
The biblical account of the Great Flood (Gen. 6: 8), the reign of the
great kings of Israel like David (I Sam. 16; I Kings 2), and the life
of Christ(the gospels) were all confirmed to be historically true by
these findings. A journalist, Werner Keller, who took interest in the
results of modern science and research, said in his book, “The Bible
as History”:

“These breathtaking discoveries, whose significance it is
impossible to grasp all at once, make it necessary for us to revise our
views about the Bible. Many events which previously passed for
‘pious tales’ must now be judged to be historical.” (p. 23)

In the face of all these data gathered through scientific
research, Keller concluded:

“In view of the overwhelming mass of authentic and
well-attested evidence now available, as I thought of the skeptical
criticism which from the eighteenth century onwards would fain have
demolished the Bible altogether, there kept hammering on my
brain this one sentence: ‘The Bible is right after all!’”(Ibid., p. 24)


Confirming biblical truths

So we go back to our question: Is there any contradiction
between science and the Bible? We have shown you the many mistakes
of science. However, we can say without doubt or fear or contradiction
that as long as science arrives at the ultimate truth, it will always be
compatible with the Bible. Science only confirms what had long been
established as absolute truth through biblical pronouncements. Hence,
as far as the ultimate truth is concerned, the Bible is supreme and is
second to none.

What then should we realized now that it had been established
that the words of God written in the Bible are the truth? The Scriptures
states:

“But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an
everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble,and the nations
shall not be able to abide his indignation. … He hath made the earth
by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath
stretched out the heavens by his discretion.”(Jer. 10:10, 12 KJV)

Everyone should acknowledge that there is one true living God
who created the heavens and earth and who sustains our life and strength.
What, therefore, is our fundamental obligation to Him, our Maker?
In Pslams 100:2-3, this is written:

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
(Ibid.)


Reference:
Dehoff, George W. “Why We Believe the Bible”, 5th edition. Murfreesboro,
Tennessee:
Dehoff Publications, 1962.

Durant, Will and Ariel. “The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon”.
New York:
Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1975.

Helley, Henry H. “Halley’s Bible Handbook”. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan
Publishing House, 1965.

Hill, John W. “Chemistry for Changing Times.” New York: MacMillan, 1988.

Keller, Werner. “The Bible As History”. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc.,
1995.

“New Bible Dictionary”. London: The Inter-Varsity Fellowship, 1962.

Wolthvis, Enno. “Science, God & You.” Grand Rapid, Michigan: n. p., 1966.

What gives True Meaning to Life

CARPE DIEM! Seize the day! Since no person on earth knows what the future holds, one might as well make the most of the present. Indeed, almost all human beings aim to make their lives as meaningful and worthwhile as possible. Many desire to live to the fullest every day, every hour and every minute of their earthly existence.

Why? What is the condition of man’s life? The Apostle James articulated, thus:

“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, New King James Version)

Life is not only fleeting but also fragile, like a vapor that appears momentarily, and then fades away. The inevitability of death is something that humanity has accepted with resignation. Benjamin Franklin, in a rather sardonic yet matter-of-fact statement, once said: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain but death and taxes.”

Mindful of this sad reality, man in general endeavors to give meaning and significance to his existence. A close scrutiny of his day-to-day living gives us an idea of how man attempts to accomplish just that.

In search for life’s true meaning
King Solomon shared his experience to which many of us can relate:

“I accomplished great things. I built myself houses and planted vineyards. … I also piled up silver and gold from the royal treasuries of the lands I ruled. … Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure. I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward.” (Eccles. 2:4, 8, 10, Today’s English Version)

For many, working hard to attain prosperity is what gives life meaning and significance. Success oftentimes is measured by how much wealth one has accumulated through labor and perseverance. This explains why a great portion of man’s time and energy is allocated to his livelihood. His effort is much spent in finding meaning and significance to his earthly existence through acquisition of material possessions. Others, on the other hand, find satisfaction and self-worth in the pursuit of knowledge and earthly pleasures. As King Solomon admitted, thus:

“Yes, I was great, greater than anyone else who had ever lived in Jerusalem, and my wisdom never failed me.

“Driven on by my desire for wisdom, I decided to cheer myself up with wine and have a good time. I thought that this might be the best way people can spend their short lives on earth.” (Eccles. 2:9, 3, Ibid.)

Solomon not only labored to stockpile wealth; he also strove to obtain wisdom and was even tempted to indulge himself in some vices. This, he thougt, “might be the best way people can spend their short lives on earth.” But the big question is: Did he find life’s true meaning through his worldly achievements?

The futility of it all
What did King Solomon realize after he had acquired riches, wisdom, and greatness? This was his stark assessment:

“Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn’t mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind – of no use at all. …You work and worry your way through life, and what do you have to show for it? As long as you live, everything you do brings nothing but worry and heartache. Even at night your mind can’t rest. It is all useless.” (Eccles. 2:11, 22-23, Ibid.)

Such was the realization of one who had achieved much in his life. By human standards, he was an accomplished individual, an epitome of success. Yet, King Solomon lamented that everything he accomplished was in vain, just like chasing the wind – meaningless. His labors brought nothing but worry and heartache.

What a sweeping indictment of life, one may say. But isn’t this exactly the sad reality of living? Despite human achievements in science, technology, and other fields of knowledge, despite his relentless efforts to achieve long-lasting peace, despite great strides of civilization, man’s life and living conditions remain utterly miserable. Is man better off today than say, a century ago – before the development of weapons of mass destruction or the onset of global warming or AIDS epidemic? Is the world a safer and more peaceful place to live 61 years after the UN came into existence? Alas, man’s attempt to find the meaning and essence of life through earthly wealth, wisdom, and power has been a dismal failure. It behooves man to reconsider and change his mindset about what will make his brief stay on earth truly worthwhile.

The reason for man’s being
What did King Solomon conclude as the way by which man can give true meaning and relevance to his earthly sojourn? This he declared:

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccles. 12:13-14, New International Version)

King Solomon taught that the whole duty of man – the very purpose and essence of his existence – is to fear his Creator. This is what will truly make man’s life meaningful. How is reverent fear of God proved? It entails wholehearted service and obedience to His will (Deut. 10:12) and renunciation of evil (Prov. 8:13).

God’s will that man must satisfy
What is one of God’s will that man must make every effort to fulfill? In Ephesians 1:9-10, Apostle Paul said, thus:

“… Let us know his secret purpose. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ. His goal was to carry out his plan, when the right time came. He planned that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head.” (New Century Version)

God’s will is for all creation to be joined together in Christ as the head. How can this grand plan of God be carried out? Apostle Paul explained:

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Rom. 12:4-5, NIV)

It is God’s plan and purpose that all men be placed under the headship of Christ by becoming members of His body. The body that our Lord Jesus Christ heads is the Church (Col. 1:18), which officially is called after Him, the Church of Christ:

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

A 19th-century translation of the Bible by Dr. John Wesley Etheridge renders the same passage as:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to the whole flock over which the Spirit of Holiness hath constituted you the bishops; to pasture the church of the Meshiha which he hath purchased with his blood.” (Etheridge Translation, emphasis ours)

Meshiha is Aramaic for Messiah who is the Lord Christ.

What fortune lies in store for those who served God faithfully inside the Church of Christ until the end? The Bible speaks of their reward:

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”’ ‘Yes’, says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’.” (Rev. 14:13,NKJV)

Those in the Lord, that is, those who are in the body or Church of Christ who meet their death are guaranteed of an immeasurable fortune. Their labors in the name of the Lord will never be in vain, in contrast with toils for this present life which will only be rendered futile. Their works, their obedience to the will of God, will lead them toward the attainment of live everlasting.

Hence, man owes it to himself to search for the genuine Church of Christ with a sense of urgency. There he must render a rightful service to the Almighty with all his heart, soul, and mind. This is what will give true meaning and significance to his transitory passage in this world.

Ang karunungan sa ikaliligtas

KUNG NABUHAY KA noong unang panahon, noong hindi pa naiimbento ang teleskopyo, kamera, telebisyon, at spaceship, maniniwala ka kaya kapag may magsabing bilog ang mundo at nakabitin sa wala?

Ang totoo, ang paniniwala noon ay ibang-iba kaysa ngayon. Noon, ang gayong balita ay kakatuwa at hindi kapani-paniwala. Marahil ay pagtatawanan lamang ito o kaya’y kokondenahin ng madla ang magpahayag ng gayong naiibang kaalaman. Ang isang halimbawa ay ang nangyari kay Galileo, isa sa mga unang scientist na nakatuklas na mali pala ang laganap na paniniwala noon na ang araw ay umiikot sa mundo.

Ngayon, sa makabagong panahon, sa tulong ng siyensya ay naiwasto na ang dating maling paniniwala. Tanggap na ng tao ang katotohanang ipinahayag ni Galileo; ang katotohanang ang mundo ay bilog at nakalutang sa wala ay hindi na rin pinagtatalunan ngayon.

Subalit, alam mo ba na ang mga katotohanang ito tungkol sa daigdig, maging tungkol sa kalawakan at mga bituin, ay nakasulat na sa Biblia daan-daang taon na ang nakalipas bago pa ito matuklasan ng siyensya?

Ang mundo ay bilog. “When the Bible was written it was universally believed that the earth was flat. …Finally, Magellan and his men sailed around the earth and thus proved it to be spherical in shape.” [Nang panahong isinusulat ang Biblia malaganap ang paniniwalang ang mundo ay lapad. …Sa wakas, naglayag at nilibot ni Magellan at ng kaniyang mga tauhan ang daigdig kaya’t napatunayan niyang ito ay bilog.] (George Dehoff. Why We Believe The Bible. p. 49)

Sa pamamagitan ng makabagong teknolohiya, mapatutunayan ng sinuman na bilog ang mundo. Ang katotohanang ito ay nasulat sa Biblia libu-libong taon bago pa libutin ni Magellan ang daigdig:

“Nakaupo siya sa itaas ng bilog ng mundo …” (Isa. 40:22, Biblia ng Sambayanang Pilipino)

Ang mundo’y nakabitin sa wala. “The ancient Greeks and Romans were the most advanced peoples of their time, yet they believed that the earth was held in place by poles or by the neck of Atlas.” [Ang mga Griego at Romano ang pinakamaunlad na tao sa sinaunang panahon, gayunman naniwala sila na ang mundo ay natutukuran ng mga poste o nakapasan sa leeg ni Atlas.] (George Dehoff. Why We Believe The Bible. pp. 49-50)

Habang ang mga “pinakamaunlad” na tao sa matandang panahon ay nanghahawak lamang pala sa kathang-isip, nasulat naman sa Biblia na ang mundo ay nakabitin sa wala:

“Kaniyang iniuunat ang hilagaan sa pagitang walang laman, At ibinibitin ang lupa sa wala.” (Job. 26:7)

Hindi mabilang ang mga bituin. “The ancients believed that there were only a very few stars in the heavens. In 150 B.C. Hipparchus said that there were less than three thousand. In A.D. 150 Ptolemy said there were not more than three thousand. …After the middle ages and the invention of the telescope, men discovered that the stars are innumerable.” [Ang mga tao noong unang panahon ay naniniwala na kakaunti ang mga bituin sa langit. Noong 150 B.C. sinabi ni Hipparchus na hindi aabot sa tatlong libo. Noong A.D. 150 sinabi ni Ptolemy na hindi hihigit sa tatlong libo. …Pagkatapos ng edad medya at nang maimbento ang teleskopyo, natuklasang ang mga bituin ay hindi mabilang sa dami.] (George Dehoff. Why We Believe The Bible. p. 56)

Ang katotohanang ito ay malaon nang nasulat sa Biblia:

“Gaya ng di mabilang na bituin sa kalangitan at ng buhangin sa dagat…” (Jer. 33:22, Magandang Balita Biblia)

Salita ng Diyos

Pansinin natin na ang mga katotohanang binanggit sa itaas (at iba pa) tungkol sa mundo, bituin, at kalawakan ay mapatutunayan sa tulong lamang ng modernong kasangkapan. Makikita lamang nating bilog ang mundo kapag tayo ay nasa kalawakan, na daan-daang milya ang layo mula sa daigdig. At, maliban nang gumamit tayo ng teleskopyo o kaya’y may libu-libong milya ang ating layo sa ating galaxy, kakaunting bahagi lamang ng di mabilang na bituin ang ating makikita.

Ngunit bagaman hindi gumamit ng mga modernong kasangkapan ang mga sumulat ng Biblia, paano kaya nila nalaman ang mga katotohanang ito? Nalaman nila iyon sapagkat ang Diyos na Siyang gumawa ng lupa, langit, at mga bituin ang nagpahayag nito sa kanila:

“Pagka binubulay ko ang iyong mga langit, ang gawa ng iyong mga daliri, Ang buwan at ang mga bituin na iyong inayos.” (Awit 8:3)

Ito ang nagpapatibay sa ating pananampalataya na ang Biblia ay kinasihang aklat at ang mga nakasulat dito ay mga salita ng Diyos:

“Ang lahat ng mga kasulatan na kinasihan ng Dios ay mapapakinabangan din naman sa pagtuturo, sa pagsansala, sa pagsaway, sa ikatututo na nasa katuwiran.” (II Tim. 3:16)

Samantalang ang kaalaman ng tao ay nababago kapag ito’y napasisinungalingan ng bagong tuklas na karunungan, ang mga salita ng Diyos na nakasulat sa Biblia ay nananatili sapagkat pawang katotohanan:

“Pakabanalin mo sila sa katotohanan: ang salita mo’y katotohanan.” (Juan 17:7)

Dakilang kahalagahan

Lamang, hindi dapat isipin na ang bawat natutuklasan ng tao sa kaniyang pisikal na kapaligiran ay mababasa rin sa Biblia. Ang Biblia ay walang gayong pag-aangkin.

Higit na mahalaga kaysa mga kaalaman tungkol sa pisikal na kalagayan ng daigdig, itinuturo ng Biblia ang karunungang makapagpapadunong “sa ikaliligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Cristo Jesus” (II Tim. 3:15). Itinuturo nito ang katotohanang dapat nating malaman upang tayo ay maligtas pagdating ng Araw ng Paghuhukom (I Tim. 2:3-4; Heb. 9:27).

Dahil sa mahabagin ang Diyos at hindi Niya ibig na tayo ay maparusahan, ipinasulat Niya ang Kaniyang mga salita upang ating malaman ang mga katotohanang ikaliligtas natin.

Ano ang itinuturo ng Biblia upang matamo ng tao ang walang hanggang buhay?

Kilalanin ang Ama na Siyang iisang tunay na Diyos, at ang Kaniyang Anak na si Jesucristo na sinugo Niya upang tayo’y iligtas:

“Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinalita ni Jesus; at sa pagtingala ng kaniyang mga mata sa langit, ay sinabi niya, Ama, …At ito ang buhay na walang hanggan, na ikaw ay makilala nila na iisang Diyos na tunay, at siyang iyong sinugo, sa makatuwid baga’y si Jesucristo.” (Juan 17:1,3)

Pumasok sa kawan o Iglesia ni Cristo na siyang tinubos at ililigtas ni Cristo:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.”[Ako ang pintuan; sinumang pumasok sa loob ng kawan sa pamamagitan ko’y magiging ligtas.] (Jn. 10:9, Revised English Bible)

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

“Sapagkat ang lalaki ang ulo ng kanyang asawa, tulad ni Cristo na siyang ulo ng iglesya, na kaniyang katawan, at siyang Tagapagligtas nito.” (Efe. 5:23, Magandang Balita Biblia)

Manatiling kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo na tapat na sumusunod sa mga utos ng Diyos hanggang wakas:

“Kailangan ang pagtitiis at katatagan ng mga banal na sumusunod sa mga utos ng Dios, at nananatiling tapat kay Jesus. At narinig ko ang isang tinig na mula sa langit na nagsasabi, ‘Isulat mo: Mapalad ang namamatay sa paglilingkod sa Panginoon mula ngayon’.’Oo’, ang wika ng Espiritu, ‘magpapahinga sila sa kanilang gawain, at susundan sila ng kanilang mga gawa’.” (Apoc. 14:12-13, New Pilipino Version)

“Ngunit ang manatiling tapat hanggang wakas ay siyang maliligtas.” (Mat. 24:13, MB)

. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself had been severely persecuted, forewarned that persecution would also happen to those who would become His disciples, and foremost among those persecutors are members of their own families. .

'They will also persecute you ...'

Miss Sophie Wrote:
IT'S NOT THAT I want to hide it from my family, but I'm just waiting for the right time before I formally tell my parents that I'm in the process of entering the Church Of Christ ... One of my cousins converted to the Iglesia Ni Cristo before  and our whole clan, including my parents, denounced him for doing that ... For a long time, I studied this Church and I'm convinced that this is of God. However, the thought of being rejected by my family sometimes haunts me. Could you please counsel me?

Editor's reply:

We fully understand your predicament. Many other brethren have experienced the same. When found listening to the doctrines of the Church, many are indeed persecuted, others are even disowned by their loved ones and close friends. By faithfully adhering to what is right nonetheless, many of us have either appeased or drawn even their once persecutors into the true Church.

Persecution is part of Christian life. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself had been severely persecuted, forewarned that this would also happen to those who would become His disciples. He said:

"Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20, New King James Version).

The Lord Jesus Christ admonished that people would be persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matt. 5:10). The righteousness is the gospel or God's words, which is His power for salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). It is not surprising therefore that many who have decided to listen to the gospel as taught in the Church Of Christ experience various persecutions.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,  For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10, NKJV)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,^[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:16-17, NKJV)

Christ also taught that foremost among those who may persecute His servants are members of their respective families:

"Your worst enemies will be the members of your own family" (Matt. 10:36,Today's English Version).

If situations like this would arise, Christ exhorts us to love Him more, showing that our love for Him transcends  our love for anyone else:

"Those who love their father or mother more than me are not fit to be my disciples;  those who love their own son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my disciples". (Matt. 10:37, Ibid.)

Besides, even if a true servant of God is abandoned by his parents he is never alone for as the Psalmist says:

"My father and mother may abandon me, but the LORD will take care of me" (Ps. 27:10, Ibid.).

Let us be inspired therefore by the apostles who, in spite of being beaten and warned not to do the Lord's will courageously continued to preach in His name. They remained steadfast in the faith amid great dangers to their lives (Acts 5:40-42).

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beatenthem, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His^[d] name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42, NKJV)

They stood for the truth unshaken because of their assurance that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake will inherit a great reward−the eternal life in the Holy City (Matt. 5:10-12; II Thess. 1:4-5; Rev. 7:14-17).

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,     For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12, NKJV)

⁴ so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, ⁵ which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; ( II Thess. 1:4-5, NKJV)

¹⁴ And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;¹⁷ 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. 7:14-17, NKJV)

Earnestly pray that our Lord God may give you the strength to do what He wants. Also pray for your loved ones that they may be enlightened. Invite them also to listen to God's words as taught in the Church Of Christ.

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Note: Some cited verses are printed in full to facilitate study.

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. 

Onward to the Promised Land

YOU CAN CALL IT terra firma, ground, earth, or land. Occupying almost a quarter of the globe, it is one of life’s most coveted possessions. But it does not come cheap. In fact, the quest for land ownership has spawned conflicts and turmoil that run the gamut from petty disputes to bloody wars: it is the cause of animosity between squatters and landowners, tenants and landlords, and of border disputes and territorial conflicts between countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Great Britain and Argentina, among others. The centuries-old conflicts between the Jews and the Palestinians has been very deeply rooted in it. Likewise, it is one of the reasons the hostility between India and Pakistan might cross the nuclear threshold and endanger planet Earth.

Indeed, it is a great irony that something so ubiquitous and abundant is beyond the possession of many and continues to severely affect the relationships among peoples and nations. Wars have been waged, conflicts have intensified, and relationships have been severed – all because of land. And yet, despite all these problems, the quest and longing for it remain unquenched.

The land of CanaanThe first nation of God, Israel was promised a land described in the Bible as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exod. 3:8, New King James Version). The land of Canaan was often referred to as the promised land because of God’s repeated promise to give the land to Abraham and his descendants:

“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

“Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Gen. 17:7-8, Ibid.)

There was no easy way into Canaan; it was inhabited by greater and mightier nations with armies larger and better equipped. But, because of God’s promise, Israel emerged victorious against formidable adversaries (Deut. 7:1-2; 20:1, 3-4, Ibid.). And, as God’s chosen people, ancient Israel had the right to serve and glorify God because of His promises and covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Deut. 7:8-9; Ps. 105:9-10, Ibid.) Moreover, not only did Israel have the true worship but also the hope of receiving His promises (Rom. 9:4, Today’s English Version).

However, the Israelites did not remain faithful to God’s covenant with them; they transgressed His law and turned away from Him:

“All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.” (Dan. 9:11, New International Version)

The Israelites’ unfaithfulness had a tragic consequence: they were rejected by God and ceased to be His chosen people (Hos. 4:6; Jer. 6:19, 30, NKJV).

From a full-pledged nation with a land of its own, the Israelite Kingdom collapsed and its people were thrown into captivity.

‘Strangers and foreigners on earth’In the Christian era, the promised land remains to be a promise, which is given by God not just to Israel in the flesh anymore. This promised land, certainly, cannot be this earth. Our present home called earth falls short of what we can consider to be a promised land offering a blissful life. Life on earth continues to deteriorate day by day as man continues to grapple with complex and unrelenting problems like dreadful diseases, natural and man-made calamities, and terrorism, among many others. The political landscape portrays a world reeling in crisis while on the economic front the outlook is downbeat and pessimistic. The prophetic words of Isaiah is foreboding:

“Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” (Isa. 8:22,NIV)

Indeed, life on earth is not only fragile but also sad and frightening; the present terra firma does not offer hope. Although man’s progress has grown by leaps and bound, he still suffers from its tragic consequences.

Where should we put our hope then? Apostle Paul wrote:

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor. 4:18, NKJV)

Hence, present realities, however hard and painful, should not cloud our hope for the things incorruptible and timeless – God’s promise of a better land. And so, just like the faithful servants of God in ancient times, those who hope for God’s eternal promises in the Christian era consider themselves as mere strangers and foreigners on earth because “they were looking forward to a better home in heaven.” Apostle Paul made this clear when he said:

“…But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own.

“But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That’s why God wasn’t ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.” (Heb. 11:13:14, 16, Contemporary English Version)

Thus, inasmuch as Canaan merely foreshadowed the Holy City and this earth we live in can never be the promised land, one must look to the future with hope and faith for a “better home in heaven” where he will receive God’s eternal rewards.

The new heaven and the new earthThis “better home in heaven,” also called the Holy City or the New Jerusalem, was described by Apostle John in a prophetic vision:

“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. 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.” (Rev. 21:1-3, NKJV)

Glory abounds in “the new heaven and the new earth” for it has the glory of God (Rev. 21:11, Ibid.), the kind of glory which is eternal, as Apostle Paul pointed out:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Cor. 4:17, NIV)

Thus, our pains and sufferings in this world are nothing compared to the great and eternal glory that will be revealed to us in the Holy City. Again Apostle Paul elucidated:

“I consider that what we suffer at the present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Rom. 8:18, TEV)

In the Holy City, we will enjoy a glorious life because there will be no more tears, grief, pain, death, crying, hunger and thirst (Rev. 21:1-4; 7:16, Ibid.) Hence, in that promised homeland, the New Jerusalem, a life of complete joy and happiness awaits us (Isa.65:17-19, Ibid.) Undeniably, life there is perfect and what reigns therein is eternal peace. No warfare of any kind will ever take place there. In the New Jerusalem, conflicts over lands, borders and territories are but things of the past.

In addition, the place is unequaled in its pulchritude and unmatched in its resplendence:

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

“Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. …The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. …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. 21:10-11, 18, 21, NKJV)

All kinds of precious stones adorn the foundations of the city wall. And at each of the gates are angels. There is no house of worship or temple in the Holy City because God and Christ are its temple (Rev. 21:12, 19-25, Ibid.). Moreover, the river of life and the tree of life are among the precious things also found in the Holy City (Rev. 22:1-7, Ibid.).

Surely, the New Jerusalem or the Holy City is worth our sacrifices and sufferings – and our waiting.

Citizens of the new promised land
But how can people in the Christian era become heirs to God’s promises and thus, enter the Holy City?

After Israel fell into apostasy, Abraham’s seed carried on with God’s covenant with Abraham. The Bible enlightens us on this regard:

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:29, NIV)

Hence, in the Christian era, God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham continues because it was handed down to those who belong to Christ and thus are Abraham’s seed. One need not be an Israelite in the flesh anymore to partake of God’s covenant with Abraham. By virtue of having relationship to Christ, who is Abraham’s seed, one can have a share of God’s promises. The Bible emphasizes this:

“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds’, as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed’, who is Christ.” (Gal. 3:16, NKJV)

And how can one have relationship to Christ? How can man inherit God’s promises? By becoming a part of the body. This is what the Bible teaches:

“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” (Eph. 3:6, Ibid.)

The body referred to is the Church of Christ (Col. 1:18, Ibid.; Acts 20:28,Lamsa Translation). Thus, not just anyone can be an heir to God’s promise. And through an illustration, Christ introduced the heirs to God’s promises. They are the ones who, on His second advent, are likened to sheep placed at His right, as opposed to those likened to goats at His left. The sheep of Christ will be the ones to inherit the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:31-34, TEV). The Holy Scriptures clarifies that the flock where Christ’s sheep are gathered is the Church of Christ (Acts. 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

Therefore, the members of the Church of Christ, inasmuch as they belong to Christ, are the seed of Abraham regardless of their race, color, or social status. They have the covenant that God made to Abraham, that is, the right to serve and glorify God. By virtue of this great privilege they now are heirs to God’s promises and have the right to enter the New Jerusalem or the Holy City.

As hardships, trials, and sacrifices marked Israel’s laborious journey toward Canaan, so is the journey of God’s nation in these last days toward the new promised land. Yet members of the Church of Christ are ready and willing to sacrifice even their own lives, if necessary, for the sake of this eternal blessing from God. And this they do with utmost conviction and dedication because of their firm hope that their citizenship is in heaven, as Paul in his epistle to the Philippians puts it plainly:

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21, NKJV)

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.