Prisoners Of Faith

Do you know that all Apostles possibly but one went to prison? It is interesting how people who met our Lord Jesus Christ face to face, who sacrifices for the rest of their life depending the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, trying to bring people back to God, all died miserably.

Let us learn some bible history starting from Acts 5:17-32 (NKJV)

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

In Acts 2:39 we learned that “for the promise is to you and your children” refers to the Jews and proselytes.

Acts 2:39 (NKJV) – For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The reality is the promise was not to all the Jews, it is to the Jews who eventually believed in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. The Jerusalem Temple, the holy place for God’s people in the time of the Apostles was managed by Jewish Sadducees, Priest, Levites, Temple guards, captain of the Temple, etc. They were all living and leading the Jewish people believing they are of God, they are people of God, after all they are descendant of Moses. Peter told them “We ought to obey God rather than men” because these people who believe with all their heart with all their mind, they are servants of God but actually they are the murderer of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are following me on the articles regarding the “End of the age“, these articles are all about Israel, the judgement to Israel, the old covenant age, not the end of the world. This is why the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. as predicted by Christ in Matthew 24:2.

How did the Apostle die?

This is a copy from another National Geographic website for our own learning:

• Paul (originally Saul before he became disciples of Christ), Evidences highly suggests Apostle Paul’s death occurred after his fifth missionary journey ended in 67 A.D. Paul was likely beheaded by the Romans, under Emperor Nero, sometime around May or June of 68 A.D.

• Simon Peter (known as Peter): Simon-Peter, was imprisoned in Rome, eventually martyred during the reign of the emperor Nero. According to some historical text, Peter asked to be crucified upside down, so that his death would not be the equal of Jesus and the Romans supposedly obliged.

• Andrew: According to 15th Century religious historian Dorman Newman, Andrew—the brother of Peter—went to Patras in western Greece in 69 AD, where the Roman proconsul Aegeates debated religion with him. Aegeates tried to convince Andrew to forsake Christianity, so that he would not have to torture and execute him. But when that didn’t work, apparently he decided to give Andrew the full treatment. Andrew was scourged, and then tied rather than nailed to a cross, so that he would suffer for a longer time before dying. Andrew lived for two days, during which he preached to passersby.

• James (son of Zebedee, AKA James the Greater): Acts 12:1-19 says that James was killed with a sword. The newly-appointed governor of Judea, Herod Agrippa, decided to ingratiate himself with the Romans by persecuting leaders of the new sect. After James was arrested and led to place of execution, his unnamed accuser was moved by his courage. He not only repented and converted on the spot, but asked to be executed alongside James. The Roman executioners obliged, and both men were beheaded simultaneously.

• John: John was the only one of the original disciples not to die a violent death. Instead, he passed away peacefully in Patmos in his old age, sometime around 100 AD.

• Philip: Philip, the first of Jesus’ disciples, became a missionary in Asia. Eventually, he traveled to the Egyptian city of Heliopolis, where he was scourged, thrown into prison, and crucified in 54 AD.

• Bartholomew: Bartholomew supposedly preached in several countries, including India, where he translated the Gospel of Matthew for believers. In one account, “impatient idolaters” beat Bartholomew and then crucified him, while in another, he was skinned alive and then beheaded.

• Thomas: Apparently Thomas preached the gospel in Greece and India, where he angered local religious authorities, who martyred him by running him through with a spear.

• Matthew: According to legend, the former tax collector turned missionary was martyred in Ethiopia, where he was supposedly stabbed in the back by an swordsman sent by King Hertacus, after he criticized the king’s morals.

• James (son of Alphaeus, AKA James the Less): According to Foxe, James, who was elected by his fellow believers to head the churches of Jerusalem, was one of the longest-lived apostles, perhaps exceeded only by John. At the age of 94, he was beaten and stoned by persecutors, and then killed him by hitting him in the head with a club.

• Thaddaeus, AKA Lebbaeus, Judas or Jude: According to several stories, he was crucified at Edessa (the name of cities in both Turkey and Greece) in 72 AD.

• Simon the Canaanite AKA the Zealot: Simon preached in Mauritania on the west coast of Africa, and then went to England, where he was crucified in 74 AD.

• Judas Iscariot: According to Matthew 27:3-6, the treacherous apostle quickly felt remorse over his betrayal of Jesus and went to the Temple to recant. When the high priests ignored his plea, he threw down the 30 pieces of silver that he had been paid, and went off and hanged himself. But Acts 1:15-20, gives a different and even grislier version of Judas’ demise. He says that Judas used the blood money to purchase a piece of land and then fell headlong from a high place there, so that “he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” Jerusalem residents subsequently named the place Aceldama, which means “the field of blood.”

Relating to our time

Imagine these disciples of Christ, having been a God’s servant in their life, yet all died miserably. But I must say they all died well in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for it was possibly God’s will to let that happen.

Today in our time although I do not believe there is something biblical in this, we can relate what is happening to some people who because of their faith are suffering in prison. There are those who had been kidnapped, persecuted and possibly hiding from further persecutions. Being in prison does not mean the person is evil, it does not mean you are sinner, it does not mean you did something bad. Apostle Paul went in and out of prison in his ministry and in the end he was beheaded. Being free and able to attend Church services two times a week does not mean you are holy.

God is sovereign over men. It is his will not man’s will.

-Cornelius

The Promise To Those Who Are Afar Off

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ doctrines on baptism includes a topic on Acts 2:39:

Acts 2:39 (NKJV) – 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

There appear to be 3 groups of people in this passage and INC explains who are the three groups:

1) to you
2) to your children
3) to all who are a far off

The explanation to what appear to be three groups of people is followed by teaching on John 10:16

John 10:16 (NKJV) – 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

So Christ have another sheep who are in the fold (in His time) and not in the fold and they are:

1) In the fold – Jews
2) Also in the fold – Gentiles
3) Not in the fold – Iglesia Ni Cristo

Understanding John 10:16 and other Old Testament prophesies explaining those who are not in the fold will emerge in the Far East, the timing of which is July 27, 1914, then Acts 2:39 means to INC this way:

1) to you – Jews
2) to your children – Gentiles
3) to all who are a far off – Iglesia Ni Cristo members

Please read the full article here.

 

The Science of Interpreting the Bible

When i first heard the word “hermenutics” I did not understand what it is. After some research, i found it very important in understanding the bible.

Hermeneutics is the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts. It is the art of science of the interpretation of the literature. In this case the subject of literature is the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God as written by God’s Spirit through the hands of chosen men of faith, handed down to us so that we may know the thoughts of the Divine toward us, His creation.

The full article can be read here.

 

The Gospel of Fear

No other Christian religions can match the faith of the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. For decades I sacrifices even personal and work time, even declined job promotions for the sake of performing my duties. I believe the INC doctrines and practices made me stronger in my faith, but it was also the same doctrines and practices in the Church that made my faith weaker.

Now, I feel great. I feel the gift of the holy spirit. I know our Lord God and Jesus Christ better than before. I am equipped with the armor of God, that is His words from the scriptures.

Looking back at the beginning, I realized I had been subjected to the process of religious mind conditioning when I started attending INC doctrines. These conditioning are:

• Believing the bible as the source for the words of God
• Believing that the bible is kept in mystery, those who attempt to study have failed
• Believing that there is no remedy for the sacrifices of sin if you missed worships service
• Believing that persecutions and hatred cannot be avoided inside the Church of Christ
• Obey your leaders and be submissive at all times
• He who endure until the end will be saved
• You go to the lake of fire if you leave the Church or if expelled from the Church

Additionally, the lessons in every worship service starts with edification, followed by being obedience, followed by teachings what will befall on you if you disobey, followed by how to emulate those who are enduring to their faith so that you can also emulate them. Over and over again twice a week.

What made my faith weak? The teachings that the bible is kept in mystery made me curious why would God make the scriptures a secret? This encouraged me to read. Initially I was afraid because it is like giving the devil a chance after all years of sacrifices enduring my faith. This is how every member of the Church shall remember. Slowly, I began to uncover the mystery is not truly a mystery. Now I feel great I am free to learn or hear ALL the words of God. I am free to learn the full gospel not only selected text that are within the doctrines of the Church.

The Bible and Mystery

The Church teaches the only source of the words of God is the bible. I believe this totally even now. This is one teaching that conditioned my mind that when the Minister is reading the bible it is “pristine” according to the doctrines.

The Church teach the bible is kept in mystery using Romans 16:25.

Romans 16:25(KJV) – 25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

The Minister preaching will stop there so now whether you are paying attention or not, the Minister just said the bible is kept in mystery is in it? Your mind conditioning just started. After decades of believing Matthew 16:25, somehow I started reading the same verse again. Didn’t the verse says “according to the revelation ..”? The word revelation means to reveal or to make it known. We don’t need to go any further in the bible, verse 26 again clarified the mystery has been revealed. The word “manifest” means revealed.

Romans 16: 26 (KJV) – 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Wait, there is a scapegoat. If you debate this, the Minister will say it has been revealed to the prophets only. Only to Bro. Felix Y. Manalo and the Church Ministers. Uhmm ok.  Hope you read these two articles already:  The INC teaching Regarding Mystery of the Bible and Test The Spirits Whether They Are Of God.

There is also equivocation by the church on the real mystery. Please read The Mystery Revealed.

Now this made me think these:

• If the Church teach one lesson with equivocation, how many more doctrines are wrong? If you followed my previous articles, there are actually plenty of equivocations.
• The INC doctrines prove other verses in scriptures false. This again made me thinking so is the bible really inspired by God? Why then some verses are wrong? For example Apostle Paul teach that salvation is a gift form God, gift is something you work for. But INC made this false by following only James that salvation can be achieved by faith and work. While “faith and work” sounds logical, it does not make sense to make Paul statement false. Please read the three-parts series “Is There Salvation Outside The Church?” for details on this topic.

No More Remedy For Not Attending Worship Service

One of the favorite verse in the Church is Hebrews 10:26-27.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (NKJV) – 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Now, I can no longer forsake worship services. But actually the Church has remedy for those who do not attend regularly.  Write an affidavit that you will renew your life, no longer forsake worship services. So the Church already contradict the scriptures that there is no more remedy. The worst part is the remedy is also a total violation of the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ to not swear.

James 5:12 (NKJV) – But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Matthew 5:24 (NKJV) – “34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;”
Notice what James said: “les you fall into judgement“.

The Church practice of writing affidavit specially for officer is a form of swearing. The word “affidavit” means a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation. The Church implements this even if it violates the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. When you write an affidavit, it conditioned your mind not to repeat the same violation again because 1) it is awful to talk the same violation again to your Church leaders, 2) You think you are committing sins to God.

Unfortunately, members do not know you are committing sins whenever you write an affidavit or take an oath for an office.

If you are a Church Minister, it is written “do not swear” as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ. But what do you do? You disobey and promote swearing. You violate our Lord Jesus Christ, constantly! What do you call someone who violate the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Again ask this, how many more wrong teachings inside the Church of Christ?

Persecutions and Hate

As a member of the Church if the world hate you, it is our Lord Jesus Christ who hate them first.

John 15:18 (NKJV) – 8 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

You are not of this world that is why the world hate you.

John 15:19 (NKJV) – 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

By hearing these teachings, you are now conditioned to depend yourself against those who are asking why you joined the INC.

But wait, who was Christ speaking to in John 15:18-19? If you read from the last verse in chapter 15 and go back to previous chapters, Jesus was speaking to the disciples of His time.

John 15:27(NKJV) – 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

The “you” is not you INC members of year 2017. The “you” are the disciples who were with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. The bible is not written to us, it is written for us because it is profitable for our own learning of the words of God and Jesus Christ. While the verse are applicable to Christians in our time, nowhere in the book of John is written only to the Iglesia Ni Cristo members so it is wrong to translate “you” as you member of the Church of Christ. The real context of John 15:18-19 is the discipleship and it is a specific situation in their time.

Again ask this, how many more wrong teachings inside the Church of Christ?

Obey your leaders and be submissive at all times

This is where he Church Executive Minister shines in all the glory of his own. This is now the conditioning to the extreme to prepare you for the worst situation in the Church. Your obedience with no hesitation. If a member obeys its leader without questions, then the Church will remain strong. The same commandments exercised by the District Ministers in their own district, even most of Locale Ministers today exercised their leadership after all life is difficult if you are not a Minister so I cannot blame them. Might as well enjoy life. The Church exercised a hierarchical command starting from the Executive Minister, Deputy Executive Minister, Executive Councils (Sangunian), District Ministers and Locale Ministers. Then for the members, each locale have head deacons, area overseers, group overseers, department leaders and officers and ordinary members. This hierarchy is strictly followed and no member below hierarchy can make own decision without approval of the next leader. The Church use these verses

Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

If the bible is to be obeyed verse by verse without knowing the context, Hebrew 13:17 is one that every leadership will use to exercise their command to its fullest. But the bible protect us from this authoritarian ruler

Revelation 2:15 (NKJV) – 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

The doctrine of Nicolaitans is referring to a hierarchical commands who have abusive power. If we only go back up to Hebrew 13:7, we can understand that there are limitations.

Hebrews 13:7 (NKJV) – 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Considering the outcome of their conduct. How are the leaders doing? Are they still abiding to the teachings of God? Do they preach the gospel of peace or the gospel of fear?

Romans 10:15 (NKJV) – 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Do not always believe the teachings the bible gave us example how first century Christians test the spirit.

I John 4:1 (NKJV) – 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

He who endures

Enduring encompass everything that has been conditioned in your mind. The Church teaches that he who endure until the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:13 (NKJV) – 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

While enduring is a way to succeed in any endeavor, the Church is using Matthew 24:13 in the wrong context (again). Matthew 24:13 does not teaching enduring to secure your salvation because for this to be true, you have to prove Apostle Paul teachings of grace and salvation false therefore un-inspiring the words of God. Which is by the way the INC do deny Apostle Paul teachings of grace and salvation.  Matthew 24:3 was spoken by Jesus in the context of destruction of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem is more than three years tribulation from 66 AD to 70 AD.

Let us understand the true context of Matthew 24:13

Matthew 24:1 (NKJV) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

Mark 13:1 (NKJV) Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

Luke 21:5 (NKJV) Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,

The story started with the disciples showing the amazing Temple building, the fortress and the central religious place of the Jews. While the disciples are proud and amazed of their fortress, Christ telling them the Temple will be destroyed not one stone will remain standing. Let us now complete the reading in Matthew 24

Matthew 24:1-14 (NKJV) – 1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The words spoken in Matthew 24:1-14 are very familiar to the Iglesia Ni Cristo members. The “rumors of wars“, “earth quake“, “famines“, “pestilences” are all familiar words used to teach that the first world war I is the fulfillment of the prophesies of the re-emergence of the Church of Christ in the last days. These keywords are actually spoken in the context of Jerusalem Temple destruction mentioned in Matthew 24:2. The same is true for the “he who endures till the end” in refers to the same topic. Christ was talking about enduring the sufferings to be caused by the destruction of Jerusalem during the three and a half years of tribulations. The Apostles asked questions that are RELATED events: “when will these things [destruction of the Temple] be? and what will be the sign of the end of the age [the end of covenant age, the old covenant, the end of Jewish age. NOT THE END OF THE WORLD]?.

The mind conditioning always ends with the fear of death, the fear in the lake of fire. If you do not endure, you will end up in the lake of fire. Now you are conditioned to the extreme situation.

Again ask this, how many more wrong teachings inside the Church of Christ?

The following verses are also used by the Church but let us understand them now more seriously.

John 10:28 (NKJV) – 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Notice what Christ said, those who are saved will not perish, meaning those who will not be saved will perish. The word “perish” is to suffer death, to die, to disappear. Nothing is eternal punishment mentioned here.

Mark 16:16 (NKJV) – 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark testifies what our Lord Jesus says: “He who does not believe will be condemned“. The word “condemn” is a sentence to a punishment, like death. Again nothing is mentioned of eternal punishment.

The bible use “death” not necessarily in a physical death. God told Adam and Eve they will surely die if they eat the forbidden fruit. They ate anyway and so they die not physically but spiritually.

Again ask this, how many more wrong teachings inside the Church of Christ?

God’s nature is love therefore while the bible teach about death, the center of teaching God’s words should be about love and not a constant reminder of eternal damnation.

1 John 4:8 (NKJV) – 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

So where do the Church get the teaching of eternal punishment? It is from the traditions and religions that Bro. Felix Y. Manalo joined before creating the Church of Christ.

Summary

I now have full of faith in the words of God from the scriptures. Now I understand the bible, not all of it yet, but the verses that I already covered in a contextual sense not just connecting selected text. I believe the bible is inspired book. No verses in the bible contradict another verse. With that in mind, any verse that seems to be contradicting each other one must find the logical reasons to explain until the two verses are in agreement. If you cannot explain the harmony then you are wrong, not the bible. Keep searching until you find the harmony. With these principles, I believe if anyone is teaching one verse to be false in favor of making the other verse true then he/she is a false teacher teaching false doctrine.

In closing, the mind conditioning inside INC is a way to strengthen the faith but it is also a bad practice to instill fear. The fear to read the bible, the fear of eternal punishment in the lake of fire. This is the gospel of fear, the fear of death. When you are subjected to its doctrines, you become a prisoner of your own faith. Forever hold your peace.

-Cornelius

The Sufferings of God’s People

Why do good people suffer? Why do people who seems to be good persecute?

Why is Bro. Angel and his company from 36 Tandang Sora in prison? Who is behind them? What is their motive? Why they are being denied of basic necessities in life? For quite sometime they have been denied of water and food supply. People who claimed to belong to true Church persecuted them, ransacked their house. Most recently, while still living inside their house, it does not matter if the house is theirs or not, the house was being demolished not caring if people can get hurt. The people of Tandang Sora had been in a prison-like home for over a year already. Now they had been arrested without even a search warrant.

Because the root of these issues is religion, I like to cover this based on biblical teachings. The bible is very clear

1 John 4:8 (NKJV) – 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

The life for a believer can be very difficult. I believe almost all the disciples of Christ in the first century had been persecuted, murdered or put to death. In fact Jesus forewarned this to his disciples:

2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB) – And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The questions is who really are living in Christ? Based on the experienced of the first century Christians, we can relate to what is happening in our time. Let us looked at the experienced of Paul

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (NASB) – Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Apostle Paul experienced far more labors, more imprisonment, beaten, night and day spent in the deep. While this is not the experienced of Bro. Angel, it is almost similar already.

Apostle Paul gave instruction to the Corinthians, put on the full armor of God. What does it mean? Learn the full gospel, not only selected text.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB) – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God,;, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

What else do we understand in this passage? “So that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil“. What is happening? The struggle is not against flesh and blood [this is not necessarily referring to fighting but we can take it literally], the struggle is against:

against the rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness – This are all referring to the people who are in power. Either religious power or political power. Why are we sure it includes religious power? Read next.

against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places – heavenly places refers to a religious group or religious places. People who physically look spiritual [holy], but inside are forces of wickedness or evil minds.

The author of Revelation wrote there are those who claimed to be apostles [Ministers in our time] but they are not. Why? Because they are liars and they are persecuting other people.

Revelation 2:2-3 (NKJV) – 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

In the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is easy to know who belong to the nation of God. It is the Jews. But even their time, Christ explained that there are Jews who in reality are not. It is like saying in our time they are true Christians, but because of their evil minds, they are not.

Revelation 2:9 (NASB) – I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 (NKJV) – 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Did you just read that? They are synagogue of Satan! I did not say that, the bible is. In our time that is equivalent of saying Church of Satan!

God knows your hardship Bro. Angel and company. The only way to survive with this kind of people is to trust in God because it is God himself who judges these evil rulers.

Psalms 82:1 (NASB) – God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.

Therefore live with the armor of God as Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:10, be content for Christ sake and your spirit will be lifted for you to be stronger. Just like what Apostle Paul said

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) – Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Dear God, while we wish Bro. Angel and company be released from prison, it is not our will, not their will, but your will. We pray for their safety.

Read more..
http://www.rappler.com/nation/163106-angel-manalo-speaks-supporters-arrest