Kung Bakit Wala Kaming Pasko

Ang Iglesia Katolika at mga protestante ay may ipinagdiriwang na Pasko tuwing Disyembre 25 ng bawat taon, na ipinalalagay nila na ito ay ang kapanganakan ng Panginoong Jesucristo. Kaugnay nito, marami silang isinasagawang mga aktibidad at marami rin ang nakikibahagi sa mga iyon.  Kaya may mga pumupuna sa hindi pakikipagkaisa ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa pagdiriwang nila.  Sinasabi ng iba na mabuti pa raw ang kaarawan ng kapanganakan ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia ay aming ipinagdiriwang.  Inaakala tuloy ng ilan na napakaliit ng pagtingin ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa Panginoong Jesucristo.  Kung alam lamang nila na hindi tunay na kaarawan ni Cristo ang ipinagdiriwang nila tuwing Disyembre 25, kundi iyon ay isang pistang pagano na “isina Cristiano,” marahil ay hindi sila papayag na magkaroon sila ng bahagi sa pagdiriwang na iyon.

          Ganito ang mababasa sa isang aklat Katoliko tungkol sa Pasko na ipinagdiriwang ng mga Katoliko at mga Protestante:

“It has sometimes been said that the Nativity [Christmas] is only a Christianized pagan festival.” [Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, page 61]

Sa Filipino:

“Nasabi na sa ilang pagkakataon na ang Natividad [Pasko] ay isa lamang isina-Cristianong kapistahang pagano.”

          Pinatutunayan ng aklat na ito na ang Natividad o Pasko na ipinagdiriwang ng mga Katoliko at mga Protestante ay isa lamang “isina-Cristianong” kapistahang pagano.

Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng salitang PAGAN o “pagano”?

“PA'GAN, n. a Gentile; an idolater; one who worships false gods. This word was originally applied to the inhabitants of the country, who on the first propagation of the Christian religion adhered to the worship of false gods, or refused to receive Christianity, after it had been received by the inhabitants of the cities.” [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]

Sa Filipino:

“PAGANO, n. isang Gentil; isang mapagsamba sa diosdiosan; sumasamba sa mga hindi tunay na diyos. Ang salitang ito ay unang ginamit sa mga unang mamayan ng isang nayon, na sa pasimula ng pagpapalaganap ng relihiyong Cristiano ay mga nahirati sa pagsamba sa mga hindi tunay na diyos, o yaong tumatanggi na tanggapin ang Cristianismo, pagkaraan na ito ay tinanggap na ng mga naninirahan sa mga lungsod.”

                Maliwanag na sinasabi ng Dictionary na ang isang Pagano ay isang tao na hindi sumasamba sa tunay na Diyos dahil sa ang mga ito ay ang mga nahirati sa pagsamba sa mga diosdiosan, sa panahon natin sila iyong mga Hindu, Budhist, o alin mang relihiyon na lumuluhod at naglilingkod sa mga rebulto o larawan, na tumatanggi sa aral ng Cristianismo.  Sa pagsasabi na ang Pasko ay isina-Cristiano lamang na Pistang Pagano, ibig sabihin noon ay kinopya lamang ito sa pagdiriwang ng mga taong hindi Cristiano na sumasamba sa mga diosdiosan.

Ang Pagkapili ng Disyembre 25

          Ang pagkapili ng Disyembre 25, na diumano’y petsa ng kapanganakan ni Cristo, ay buhat lamang sa impluwensiya ng mga Romanong Pagano:

“…The choice of December 25 was influenced by the fact that the Romans, from the time of Emperor Aurelian (275), had celebrated the feat of the sun god (Sol Invictus: The Unconquered Sun) on that day.  December 25 was called the ‘Birthday of the Sun.’ and great pagan religious celebrations of the Mithras cult were held all through the empire.” [Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, page 61]

Sa Filipino:

“…Ang pagkakapili sa ika-25 ng Disyembre ay naimpluwensiyahan ng pangyayaring ang mga Romano, mula sa panahon ni Emperador Aureliano (275), ay ipinagdiwang ang kapistahan ng diyos na araw (Sol Invictus: ang Hindi Mapananaigang Araw) sa araw na iyon.  Ang ika-25 ng Disyembre ay tinatawag na ‘Araw ng Kapanganakan ng Araw’, at idinaos sa buong imperyo ang mga dakilang paganong pagdiriwang na panrelihiyon ng kultong Metraiko.”

          Maliwanag na ang Disyembre 25 ay hindi siyang tiyak na petsa ng kapanganakan ni Cristo [Wala naman talaga tayong mababasa sa Biblia kung kailan siya ipinanganak].  Ito ay ang Petsa ng isang kapistahan ng mga pagano, na ang ipinagdiriwang ay ang kanilang Diyos na Araw na si Sol Invictus o ang Hindi Mapananaigang Araw.”  Sa petsang ito ay idinaraos ang malaking panrelihiyong pagdiriwang na pagano. At maliwanag nilang inamin na ito ang kanilang pinagbatayan ng pagkapili nila ng Disyembre 25, na siyang kapanganakan daw ni Jesucristo.

Galing din sa Pagano

        Hindi lamang ang petsa ang kinuha o kinopya sa mga pagano kundi pati ang mga gawain kung araw ng Pasko gaya ng mga pagsisindi ng mga kandila at paglalagay ng mga Christmas Tree.

“The candles, in some parts of England, lighted on Christmas eve, and used so long as the festive season lasts, were equally lighted by the pagans on the eve of the festival of the Babylonian god, to do honour to him; for it was one of the distinguishing peculiarities of his worship to have lighted wax candles on his altars.  The Christmas Tree, now so common among us, was equally common in Pagan rome and Pagan Egypt.” [The Two Babylons Or the Papal Worship, p. 97]

Sa Filipino:

“Ang mga kandila, sa ilang bahagi ng Inglatera, na sinisindihan tuwing bisperas ng Pasko, at ginagamit sa buong panahon ng pagdiriwang, ay kaparehong sinisindihan ng mga pagano sa bisperas ng kapistahan ng diyos ng Babilonia, upang parangalan siya: sapagkat ang isa sa mga mapagkakakilanlang kaibahan ng pagsamba sa kaniya ay ang magkaroon ng mga sinindihang kandila sa kaniyang mga dambana.  Ang Christmas Tree, na ngayon ay lubhang pangkaraniwan na sa atin, ay kaparehong pangkaraniwan din sa Paganong Romano at Paganong Ehipto.”

          Nagsisindi ng kandila ang mga pagano sa bisperas ng kapistahan ng diyos ng Babilonia upang parangalan siya.  Ang Cristmas Tree naman ay pangkaraniwan sa paganong Roma at paganong Ehipto. 

          Maging ang mga nagsipagsuri tungkol sa Christmas Tree ay nagsasabi na ito’y isang labi ng pagsamba ng mga pagano sa punong-kahoy:

“Some authorities consider the Christmas tree a survival of pagan tree worship and trace it to ancient Rome and Egypt…”[Collier’s Encyclopedia, vol 6, p.404]

Sa Filipino:

“Ang ilan sa mga awtoridad ay itinuturing ang Christmas tree na isang namamalaging umiiral na labi ng pagsamba sa puno ng mga pagano at matatalunton ito sa matandang Roma at Ehipto.”

          Kaya hindi nakikiisa ang mga Iglesia ni Cristo sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko dahil ito ay nagmula lamang sa mga pagano, hindi lamang ang petsa, kundi maging ang iba’t-ibang gawain na isinasagawa ng mga Katoliko at Protestante sa nasabing okasyon.

Magliligaw sa Katotohanan

          Isang katotohanan na ang Paskong ipinagdiriwang ng mga Katoliko at mga Protestante ay inimbento o katha lamang.  Hindi ito utos ng Diyos kundi utos lang ng tao.  Ang kautusan ng tao, kapag pinagsaligan sa paglilingkod sa Diyos, ay nagliligaw sa katotohanan:

Tito 1:14  “At upang maalis ang hilig nila sa mga alamat ng mga Judio at mga kautusan ng mga tao, na nagliligaw lamang sa kanila sa katotohanan.” (Salita ng Buhay)

          Hindi namamalayan ng mga nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko na sila ay naililigaw na sa katotohanang ikaliligtas, sapagkat sa kanilang ginagawa ay sumusunod sila sa mga kautusan ng tao at mga gawaing pagano.  Ang dapat maging saligan sa paglilingkod ng tao sa Diyos at sa ating Panginoong Jesucristo ay hindi ang mga utos ng tao kundi ang mga kalooban ng Diyos na nakasulat sa mga Banal na Kasulatan.

2 Timoteo 3:15-17  “Mula pa sa pagkabata ay alam mong ang Banal na Kasulatan ay nagtuturo ng daan ng kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Cristo Jesus.  Ang lahat ng Kasulatan ay kinasihan ng Diyos, at nagagamit sa pagtuturo ng katotohanan, sa pagtatama sa maling katuruan, sa pagtutuwid sa likong gawain at sa pagsasanay para sa matuwid na pamumuhay,  upang ang lingkod ng Diyos ay magiging karapat-dapat at handa sa lahat ng mabubuting gawain.”  [Ang Bagong Magandang Balita, Biblia]

          Anumang aral na hindi ayon sa Biblia at labag pa sa itinuturo ng Biblia ay hindi ikaliligtas  kundi tiyak na ikapapahamak sa Araw ng Paghuhukom:

2 Tesalonica 2:11-12 “Sapagkat hindi nila tinanggap ang katotohanan, ipinaubaya sila ng Diyos na sila’y malinlang ng espiritu ng kamalian at papaniwalain sa kasinungalingan upang maparusahan ang lahat ng pumili sa kasamaan sa halip na tumanggap sa katotohanan” (Magandang Balita, Biblia)

Ito ang isa sa dahilan kaya hindi ipinagdiriwang ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang “Pasko” ng mga Katoliko at mga Protestante.  Ano ang mapapala sa isang araw ng masayang pagdiriwang, kung ito naman ay patungo sa pagkahamak ng ating mga kaluluwa magpakailan man?

 Sanggunian

Collier’s Encyclopedia.  New York: Macmillan Educational Company. 1964.

Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs. Francis X. Weiser. New York: Hartcourt, Brace & World, Inc., n. d.

The Two Babylons Or the Papal Worship. Rev. Alexander Hislop. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizcaux Brothers, Inc., 1943.

The Man with the Number ‘666’ that is Mentioned in Revelations

For the benefit of those non-Filipino speaking Brethrens and Friends , here is my English Version of “Ang May Numerong 666 na Binabanggit sa Apocalypsis” post, Please take note that this is not an exact word for word translation of my original post in Filipino, so expect to find a few differences from the original:

     
     THE book of Revelations which was written by Apostle John in the isle of Patmos is considered the book of symbols and prophecies.  In this book we can find a very popular number that created a lot of controversies and frights to a numerous number of people in the world:  This is the number 666. Let us now read from the scriptures the verse where this number is written:

Revelations 13:18  “Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY AND SIX.” [Revised Version]

People have lots of speculations, opinions, and predictions as to what is the meaning, and as to whom this number is referred to.  There are some folks that said the number 666 will bring you bad luck or misfortune, that’s why superstitious beliefs sprung out of it.  There are some individuals who were experiencing fright just to see the number posted anywhere.  There are also some fellows who believed that the number pertains to the Devil himself or certain terrorists like Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, or even the President of the United States Ronald Reagan do not escape as a suspect.  Jehovah’s Witnesses also have their own version, saying that this number was fulfilled with the Worldwide Power which is known as the United Nations. That’s why there is a need for us to determine the true meaning of the number 666 and who is the particular fulfillment of this prophecy.

The Number Stands For The Name of a Man

What does the number 666 stands for, this will be made clear to us by one Popular Bible Version:

Revelations 13:18  “This calls for wisdom. Whoever is intelligent can figure out the meaning of the number of the beast, because the number stands for the name of someone. Its number is 666.”  [Good News Translation]

Very clearly expressed by the Bible that the number 666 (Six hundred and sixty six) stands for the name of someone – a man which was likened to a beast, and by means of wisdom and understanding we would be able to count (as mentioned in the Revised Version) the number of the name of a man.  That’s why it is not true that the Devil himself as the others understood it, is the one mentioned in the prophecy, and it is also inappropriate to think that that number brings bad luck, there is no reason for us to be afraid of that number. The number 666 in itself has no bad meaning. The Bible clearly explained to us that it is just that when we count that man’s name using our wisdom, it will be equal to 666.

In other words, if we’re going to get the sum of this man’s name we will arrive at a total of 666.  At this point our detractors started to enter in.  When the Iglesia Ni Cristo preached and revealed to whom this prophecy was fulfilled, they responded to us by saying that, the fulfillment of the Prophecy is our Bro. Felix Y. Manalo and Bro. Eraño G. Manalo.

This is how they explain it:

FELIX   YSAGUN   MANALO

    5               6                 6

According to them if the name FELIX would be spelled in Tagalog style it would be PELIKS, then the result would be something like this:

PELIKS    YSAGUN    MANALO

     6                 6                    6                      =  666

And if the same method would be implemented in Ka Erdy’s name:  ERAÑO GUZMAN  MANALO then it will also result likewise:

IRANYO   GUZMAN    MANALO

      6                  6                     6                   =  666

That’s why it can be proven without doubt, according to them, that the fulfillment of the prophecy in the book of Revelations was indeed the father and son, FELIX and ERAÑO MANALO.

Members of the CHURCH OF CHRIST could not avoid but to laugh in this response from our detractors.  Because firstly, the Bible said use our wisdom and intelligence.  Can you call misspelling of names an act of intelligence?  Not only that, does the scriptures say that the number 666 were three Sixes placed side by side, that if we will calculate 6+6+6=18 only? Doesn’t it clearly mentioned in that passage in Revelations that the number is SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX, and not Three 6’s that is arranged side by side? By doing this, it was clearly revealed to us that this group is just guessing the prophecy’s meaning, and it’s quite obvious that they do not know the true fulfillment of that prophecy and how to prove it by using a sound reasoning based from the Bible.

A problem will arise if we’re going to accept their argument correct, because it would appear then that, that prophecy could be fulfilled to hundreds or even thousands of people in the world, whose name would fit in that criteria.  Because not only Bro. Felix and Bro. Eraño’s name would fall in that category. Actually there are even names that you don’t need to misspell at all, just count them directly and you would end up having the same result, as long as they have 6 letters in their first, middle, and last names, like the examples below:

                            ALEXIS  ROMANA MOLINA

                                 6                 6                 6                     =  666

                            ISAIAS CARLOS  GALVEZ

                                  6               6               6                        =  666         

As you can see from the two examples above, there are also names that would fall in the same category based on their explanation, and if we will consider their response to be a sound reasoning, we will be force to believe that the prophecy of God as mentioned by Apostle John have no particular fulfillment, and that would never be the case when we are talking about the characteristics of God’s prophecies.  Our detractors only want to get even with the INC, neglecting the fact that their method made them look ridiculous, so to speak. Because what they thought to be the fulfillment of the prophecy do not comply at all to the clues that the passage has mentioned so clearly.  The truth is, they cannot accept the result or the fulfillment of the prophecy that is mentioned in Revelations 13:18.  

Who is the fulfillment of the prophecy? Who is this man who has a name that when we count using our wisdom would equate to Six hundred and sixty six [666]?

       

Let’s continue our discussion…

  

The Title “VICARIUS FILII DEI”

The Roman Catholic POPE have a title known as ““VICARIUS FILII DEI”, a Latin phrase which means in English:  VICAR OF THE SON OF GOD, “Vicar” means either a substitute or “in place of”. During the early days of Catholicism, where the LATIN language was prominently used, the letter “V” instead of the letter “U” were usually used, which was also similar with the letter “J” were “I” was used instead. That’s why the word “VICARIVS” is similar to the word “VICARIUS”. The name JESUS for instance, is written in Latin as IESVS.  That’s why the popular “INRI” is IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM [JESUS NAZARENUS REX JUDAEORUM- Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews]

Some would oppose and would say that, what is mentioned in that passage is a NAME and not a TITLE of the man being prophesied.  That’s why there is a need for us to clarify this. 

What is the meaning of the word “TITLE”?.

“TI'TLE, n. -  An inscription put over any thing as a NAME by which it is known.”

[Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]

A TITLE, according to the Dictionary is a NAME put over anything so that by this it will be known, It can be used to designate either an object or a person.  Therefore the TITLE “VICARIUS FILII DEI” is a NAME that the Pope used for the purpose of recognition, that he is the VICAR or SUBSTITUTE OF THE SON OF GOD, which of course JESUS CHRIST.

Where we can find this NAME or TITLE? 

From a Catholic Newspaper which was published on April 18, 1915 which have a title “OUR SUNDAY VISITOR” this is written on page 3.

This document said:

“What are the letters supposed to be in the Pope’s crown, and what do they signify, if anything?  The letters inscribed in the pope’s mitre are these:  VICARIUS FILII DEI, which is the Latin for Vicar of the Son of God…”[Our Sunday Visitor, Bureau of Information section, page 3, April 18, 1915 Issue]

The words VICARIUS FILII DEI, was inscribed in the crown or his mitre which is worn by the POPE, this was clarified and proven to us by this Catholic Newspaper.  This crown is known as the Papal Tiara, or Tri-Crown, because it was literally three crowns placed on top of each. [You can see pictures of the Tiara above]

So if we’re going to return to what is mentioned by the passage:  “Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man”. By this instruction from the scripture, we must therefore count this TITLE and see if we will arrive with a number of Six hundred sixty six.

The Bible said let us use our wisdom and understanding.  It is without doubt that the letters especially in LATIN have an equivalent numerical value as you can see below.  This gave us a hint to use our understanding and knowledge in converting Roman Numerals to Hindu-Arabic Numbers that we use today:

By this method VICARIUS FILII DEI would be:

An undeniable truth that the sum of this TITLE is indeed 666 as in SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX and not Three 6’s side by side, isn’t it? But it cannot be avoided that some would still disagree, they would say that the letter “V” [VICARIUS instead of VICARIVS] should be the letter “U”, if that is the case, the resulting value will not be 666 but 661, since U, according to them, have no value in the Roman Numerals.

I have already explained in the earlier part of this discussion that the letters U and V are just equal in LATIN. Let us now prove this by means of showing you a concrete evidence:  Have you notice the spelling of the POST OFFICE BUILDING in Manila? Didn’t you notice that the word BUILDING is spelled as BVILDING? This is a very valid example and a concrete proof that in LATIN the letters U and V are just the same, therefore both have the same value of 5, that’s why it is indeed 666 and not 661 as they think it is.

But then again, our detractors would not be satisfied, they would resort again in another means of reasoning, by saying that there are also names or even titles of people in this world that if we use the same method as we have done [converting Roman Numerals to Hindu-Arabic] will also give a result of 666, so VICARIVS FILII DEI is just a coincidence and just part of the many.

Well let’s take one for our example:

The name above can’t be denied that upon using the same method, we also arrived in the result equal to 666. But is this a proof that because a person’s name resulted as such, would that mean that he or she is also the fulfillment of that prophecy? Again it would appear that this prophecy of the omniscient God would not have a particular fulfillment, because it will be fulfilled to thousands of people around the world. Then we would be left out again in to the pool of this endless guessing game.

But our God of course is indeed an All Knowing God and the Power of his Wisdom can’t be equaled. And of course God is not the author of confusion [1 Cor 14:33], this is a firm proof that God will never create confusion.  That’s why God made it clear through his Holy Book, by not just telling us about the number of the man who is likened to a beast, but also gave us the identifying marks on how we could really recognize him who he is. He also revealed to us the characteristics of that fellow being prophesied to remove all the confusion in our minds, and to aid us to pin-point the exact fulfillment of that prophecy.

The Identifying Marks of the man who has a name equal to 666

The prophecy clearly stated to us that the man being prophesied is likened to a beast.  Let us now determine to what kind of beast he was likened. If we study the characteristics of the beast then we would find out who is the man that is being prophesied. Because the man carries the characteristics of that beast from where he was likened by the prophecy.

Formerly, we read verse 18 of chapter 13 of Revelations, now we’re just going to go to several verses up and we will end up in verse 11, which reads as follows:

Revelations 13:11  “And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and HE HAD TWO HORNS LIKE UNTO A LAMB, and he SPAKE AS A DRAGON.” [RV]

This verse gave to us three distinctive characteristics of the beast which are:

1.       “He had two horns” – he had obtained two horns

2.      “Like unto a lamb” – he will imitate the lamb or will make himself like a lamb

3.      “He spake as a dragon.” -  what he would say and teach is from the teachings of the dragon

Let us now one by one discuss the three characteristics:

1.   He Had Two Horns

What does the horn in the Bible symbolizes?

Amos 6:13 “ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us HORNS by our own STRENGTH?” [King James Version]

A horn symbolizes strength, therefore, the person being prophesied which have a number 666 have two horns, which means he have two strengths.

What is the meaning of the word STRENGTH and what word is synonymous with this? A dictionary will give as an answer:

“STRENGTH - That property or quality of an animal body by which it is enabled to move itself or other bodies. We say, a sick man has not strength to walk, or to raise his head or his arm. We say, a man has strength to lift a weight, or to draw it. This quality is called also POWER and FORCE.” [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]

As we can see from the dictionary the word strength is synonymous with the words POWER and FORCE. So in other words, the man being prophesied have obtained TWO TYPES OF POWERS. Since we are insisting that the POPE of Rome is the fulfillment of the prophecy, let us now ask: Does the POPE have two kinds of POWER?

A well known Cardinal of the Catholic Church,  Cardinal Gibbons, will give us the answer:

 “The Popes were not only devoted SPIRITUAL FATHERS, but firm and valiant CIVIL GOVERNORS…” [Faith of Our Fathers, by James Cardinal Gibbons,  p. 113]

The Catholic’s Cardinal have confessed to us that the POPE indeed have a two kinds of POWER: SPIRITUAL POWER – he is a spiritual Father, and POLITICAL POWER – he is a Civil Governor. Therefore the POPE fits in the first Identifying Mark, let us now find out if he will also fit in the other two.

2.   Like unto a Lamb

Who is the Lamb that is mentioned in the Bible?

John 1:29  “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world.” [KJV]

It is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the LAMB OF GOD.  Therefore he is the one that is going to be imitated by the person being prophesied. How he’s going to do this? He will place himself into a stature like Jesus Christ and will try to copy Christ’s God given power and glory.

What is one of Christ’s power that God had give him?

Efesians 1:22  “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the HEAD over all things to the CHURCH”

Colosians 1:18  “AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” [KJV]

God made Christ the HEAD of the Church.  Does the POPE have this same stature?  Does the Catholic Church also introduced him as the HEAD of the CHURCH?

Another Priest of the Catholic Church will tell us:

"The pope, therefore, as vicar of Christ, is the VISIBLE HEAD of CHRIST'S KINGDOM on earth, THE CHURCH, of which CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE INVISIBLE HEAD." [Answer Wisely, by Rev. Martin J. Scott, p. 49]

The Priest named Martin J. Scott clearly told us in his book that the Pope, is the VISIBLE HEAD of the CHURCH on EARTH, and Jesus Christ is the INVISIBLE HEAD, which of course in HEAVEN, since that’s where he is now. That would mean that the Catholic Church have TWO HEADS, one in HEAVEN and one on EARTH?  Can we find a verse in the Bible which says the Church have two heads? Not only that, Does our Lord and Savior do not have jurisdiction over the earth? Doesn’t Christ have power also over the earth and not just the heavens?

Let us get our answer from Christ himself:

Matthew 28:18  “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH.” [KJV]

As bright as the morning sunshine were the proofs that the Pope is just claiming to have the same power as Jesus Christ’s posses, because very clearly said by Jesus that all power was given to him both in heaven and in earth.

We have also read above from the Book of the Priest that the Pope have a Title VICAR OF CHRIST [VICARIVS CHRISTI in Latin] or SUBSTITUTE OF CHRIST, therefore the Pope clearly placed himself equal to the Lamb or Jesus Christ, by making himself as Christ’s substitute on earth. Was that possible? Could anyone replace Christ in his post?  The Bible will clear that to us:

Hebrews 7:24  “But this man, because he continueth ever, HATH AN UNCHANGEABLE PRIESTHOOD.” [KJV]

Hebrews 7:24  “But Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest DOES NOT PASS ON TO SOMEONE ELSE.” [Good News Bible]

Christ’s power, position, and glory that our God had given him cannot be taken by anyone, his position’s validity is until eternity. CHRIST HAVE NO SUBSTITUTE.  When they said that the POPE is the VICAR or SUBSTITUTE of Christ, this is another proof that the second identifying mark was again fulfilled with the Pope. Indeed this is a clear proof that he made himself LIKE UNTO A LAMB who is our Lord Jesus Christ. What the Pope and the Catholic Church had done here is a huge blasphemy against Jesus Christ and against God.

Furthermore, if we’re going to broaden our discussion a little bit more, we will also find out that not only Christ’s position is being copied by the Pope, which is considered as the Highest Priest of the Catholic Church, even his clothing is being duplicated:

From a Filipino Catholic Book this is written:

“ANG PANANAMIT NG PARENG NAGMIMISA. Ang pareng gayak sa pagmimisa ay nakakatulad ni Jesukristo noong umakyat sa bundok ng kalvario." [Siya ang Inyong Pakinggan: Ang Aral na Katoliko, sinulat ng isang Pari na si Enrique Demond, sa Pahina 195]

Translation in English:

“THE CLOTHING OF THE PRIEST CONDUCTING A MASS.  The priest which is dressed in a mass is like Jesus Christ when he went up on mount Calvary.” [Hear Ye Him: a Catholic Doctrine, written by a Priest named Enrique Demond, page 195]

Very much indeed, that again the Pope fits to the second characteristic. Let’s go and try him with the third one.

3.   He Spake as a Dragon

Who is the Dragon being mentioned that its speech will be duplicated or imitated by the man who have a number 666 in his name?

Revelations 20:2  “And he laid hold on the DRAGON, that old serpent, which is the DEVIL, and SATAN, and bound him a thousand years,” [KJV]

The Dragon is the Devil and Satan.  This would mean then that the words or the teachings of the Devil will be spoken by the man being prophesied. In other words, the meaning of “HE SPAKE AS A DRAGON” is this:  He is teaching the doctrines of Devils, which are:

1 Timothy 4:1  “But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and DOCTRINES OF DEVILS,”

1 Timothy 4:3  “FORBIDDING TO MARRY, AND COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.”  [RV]

According to Apostle Paul, the two doctrines of Devils are: 

(1)Forbidding to Marry    

(2)Abstaining or commanding not to eat meats.”

Are these two doctrines can be found in the Popes teachings? Of course if we can prove there are teachings or doctrines like these in the Catholic Church, then we are certain that it is indeed the Pope that is undoubtedly the fulfillment of the prophecy in Revelations 13:18.

Again Cardinal Gibbons has something to say about the first doctrine:

“The discipline of the Church has been exerted from the beginning in PROHIBITING PRIESTS TO MARRY after their ordination.” [ The Faith of Our Fathers, by James Cardinal Gibbons, page 379]

And another priest testified the other one, from the same book we quoted earlier:

"Sa ikalawang utos ay ipinaguutos ng Santa Iglesia sa atin na magayuno at HUWAG KUMAIN NG ANOMANG LAMANGKATI O KARNE sa mga araw ng ipinagbabawal niya." [Siya Ang Inyong Pakinggan: Aral na Katoliko, sinulat ng Paring si Enrique Demond, Page 139]

Translation in English:

“In the second commandment it is ordered by the Holy Church for us to perform fasting and DO NOT EAT ANY MEATS during those days that she prohibits.” [Hear Ye Him: a Catholic Doctrine, written by a Priest named Enrique Demond, page 139]

What else can we say. It is indeed and absolutely that the POPE is the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the man that is likened to a beast who have a name or title that is equal to 666.  That’s why we are now quite certain that though there are some people who will have names or even titles that will be equal also to 666 after conversion, this will not mean that the prophecy was also fulfilled in them, unless the said identifying marks be found in them. 

Now we are absolutely sure that the POPE is undeniably the fulfillment, since all characteristics were found in him.  It is not a particular POPE among the hundreds, but the PAPACY, the position of being the POPE that carries the title: VICARIUS FILII DEI. Whoever person sits in power, he will be the Anti-Christ, because that post puts whoever he is in the position of the man who was likened to a beast whose name is equal to SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX. All the doubts and speculations ends here.

Are you going to stay in the religion where he is the ruler? Please, let us open our minds and our hearts to this truth… 

Pangalan ng Diyos na JEHOVA galing sa Katoliko?

Isang Simbahan ng Katoliko sa Switzerland kung saan Makikita
ang Pangalang JEHOVAH sa disenyo nito

Pangkaraniwan na nating naririnig na sinasabi ng mga kaibigan nating mga Saksi ni Jehova kapag sila ay kumakatok sa ating mga pintuan, na ang pangalan ng Diyos ay JEHOVA, na ang pangalang ito raw ang marapat na itawag natin sa Panginoong Diyos.  Ang kanilang pangangatwiran kung ang tao daw ay may personal na pangalan ang Diyos pa kaya na lumikha sa atin ang mawalan ng pansarili niyang pangalan?

Ating alamin at pag-aralan, totoo nga kayang ang JEHOVA ay pangalan ng Panginoong Diyos?  Madalas nilang gamitin ang talatang ito bilang kanilang pagpapatunay:

Awit 83:18  Upang kanilang maalaman na ikaw lamang, na ang pangalan ay JEHOVA, ay Kataastaasan sa buong lupa.” [Ang Biblia, 1905]

Subalit kung ating pupuntahan ang talatang iyan sa orihinal na Wikang Hebreo, ganito ang ating makikita sa talatang iyan:

וידעו  כי  אתה  שׁמך  יהוה  לבדך  עליון  על  כל  הארץ׃

That they may know that it is Thou alone whose name is YHWH, the Most High over all the earth.

Ang pangalan ng Diyos sa talatang iyan sa wikang Hebreo ay hindi JEHOVA, kundi ang TETRAGRAMMATON o APAT NA LETRA na: יהוה    YHWH [Ang bawat letra ay binibigkas ng Yod-Hey-Waw-Hey mula kanan papuntang kaliwa], ito ang pangalan ng Diyos sa kaniyang orihinal na anyo wala itong mga vowels o patinig kaya hindi ito nabibigkas.

Kaya maliwanag na hindi JEHOVA ang pangalan ng Diyos sa orihinal na mga manuskritong Hebreo na siyang pinagkunan ng mga salin ng Biblia sa iba’t-bang wika na ating ginagamit sa kasalukuyan.

Kaya ating tanungin ang ating mga kaibigang Saksi ni Jehova, Kung hindi galing sa mga orihinal ng mga manuskritong Hebreo ang salitang JEHOVA, saan ito nanggaling? Sasagutin tayo ng kanilang aklat na may pamagat na Aid to Bible Understanding:

“By combining the vowel signs of 'Adho^.nay and 'Elo^.him' with the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton the pronunciations Y^eho^.wah' and Y^ehowih' were formed… The first of these provided the basis for the Latinized form "Jehova(h)." [Aid to Bible Understanding, Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1971, pp. 884]

Sa Filipino:

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama ng mga simbolong patinig ng 'Adho^.nay at 'Elo^.him' sa apat na katinig ng Tetragrammaton ang pagbigkas na Yehowah at Yehowih ay nabuo…Na siyang naging mga unang pinagbatayan ng isina-Latin na anyong Jehova.”

Samakatuwid ay dinagdagan ng vowels o patinig ang APAT NA KATINIG  ng TETRAGRAMMATON, para ito ay mabigkas, kinuha ang mga vowels ng salitang Adhonay o “PANGINOON”, at Elohim o “DIYOS” sa wikang Hebreo.

Ganito iyon:

adhonay  + YHWH  = YaHoWaH or YeHoWaH

elohim  +  YHWH  = YeHoWiH

At sa mga anyong iyan kapuwa nanggaling ang salitang YAHWEH, at ang isina-Latin na JEHOVAH.

Ang wikang LATIN ay ang salitang ginagamit noon ng Imperyo ng Roma.

Sino ang nag-utos sa kanila na pakialaman ang Pangalan ng Diyos at gawing ganito?  Inutusan ba sila ng Panginoong Diyos?

Ano ang sinasabi ng mga SAKSI tungkol sa salitang YAHWEH?  Bakit mas pinili nilang gamitin ang pangalang JEHOVA.? Muli tayong sasagutin ng kanilang aklat:

"While inclining to view the pronunciation "Yah^.weh" as the more correct way, we have retained the form "Jehovah" because of people's familiarity with it since the 14th century. [The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, 1969, page.23]

Sa Filipino:

"Bagamat aming kinikilingan ang pananaw sa pagbigkas ng "Yah^.weh" na siyang mas tamang paraan, aming pinanatili ang anyong “Jehova” sa dahilang ito ang pamilyar sa mga tao noong ika-14 na siglo.”

Sinasabi ng kanilang aklat na bagamat kanilang nalalaman na ang mas tamang pagbigkas ay ang “YAHWEH”, ay mas pinili nilang gamitin ang JEHOVA dahil sa iyon daw ang kilala o pamilyar sa mga tao noong 14^th Century

Maliwanag kung gayon na ang kanilang pinagbatayan ay kung ano ang nalalaman ng tao, dahil sa iyon ang kilalang pangalan ng Diyos noon ng pangkaraniwang tao ay iyon na ang kanilang ginamit.  Ibig sabihin kaisipan ng tao ang pinagbatayan ng Watchtower Society.

Pumapayag ba ang Biblia na tayo ay magbabatay sa kaisipan, karunungan, at kaalaman ng mga tao?

1 Corinto 2:4-5  “At ang aking pananalita at ang aking pangangaral ay hindi sa mga salitang panghikayat ng karunungan, kundi sa patotoo ng Espiritu at ng kapangyarihan: Upang ang inyong pananampalataya ay huwag masalig sa karunungan ng mga tao, kundi sa kapangyarihan ng Dios.”

Kaya isa pong napakamaling bagay ang ginawa ng Watchtower sa pagbabatay ng pangalan ng Diyos mula sa kung ano ang kaisipan o kaalaman ng mga tao nung panahong iyon.

Dahil hindi po natin kailan man mapagsasaligan ang karunungan ng tao.  Ano ba ang pagtuturing ng Biblia sa katangian ng karunungan ng tao:

1 Corinto 3:19  “Sapagka't ang karunungan ng sanglibutang ito ay kamangmangan sa Dios. Sapagka't nasusulat, Hinuhuli niya ang marurunong sa kanilang katusuhan:”

Kamangmangan para sa Diyos ang Karunungan ng Sanglibutang ito o ng mga tao.  Hindi nga ba’t noong mga unang Panahon ang malawak na paniniwala ng tao noon ang mundo ay flat na parang lamesa, at hindi bilog?  Komo ba’t ganun ang pangkaraniwang paniniwala noon at alam ng tao, ay tama na iyon?   Kasi alam na alam natin na napatunayan na ng siyensiya na talagang ang mundo ay bilog at hindi lapad e.  Pero sa Biblia bago pa nakapaglakbay ang tao sa buong daigdig ay matalagal nang nakasulat na ang mundo ay bilog [Isaiah 40:22, King James Version]

Kaya nga mali na kapag may kinalaman sa pagrerelihiyon at pananampalataya, ang ating kinukuhang basehan at saligan ay ang kaalaman o karunungan ng sinomang tao.

Ang pangalang JEHOVA, ay noon lamang 1931, ginamit bilang bahagi ng kanilang pangalang “MGA SAKSI NI JEHOVA”. At ito’y sa panahon na ng kanilang pangalawang naging Pangulo na si Joseph Franklin Rutherford. 

Si Charles Taze Russel ang kinikilalang Founder ng mga Saksi ni Jehovah

Noong umpisahan at itinatag ito ni Charles Taze Russel sa Allegheny, Pennsylvania sa America noong 1870, ang kanilang pangalan noon ay “BIBLE STUDENTS” lamang.

Kaya maliwanag na ang Pangalang JEHOVA ay hindi talaga orihinal na nanggaling sa MGA SAKSI, dahil bago pa lumitaw ang kanilang samahan sa mundo ay mayroon nang pangalang JEHOVA. Kaya maliwanag na sila ay may pinagkunan ng pangalang ito.

Ang General Headquarters ng Watchtower Society sa Brooklyn New York

Saan nga ba ito galing?  Sino nga ba ang tunay na may kagagawan ng paglitaw ng pangalang JEHOVA sa mundo?

Galing sa Katoliko ang pangalang “JEHOVA”

Alam niyo ba kung kanino talaga galing ang pangalang JEHOVA?  At sino ba talaga ang unang gumamit nito?  Sasagutin tayo ng mga SAKSI, sa pamamagitan ng kanilang aklat:

“The first recorded use of this form [Jehovah] dates from the thirteenth century C.E. RAYMUNDUS MARTINI, a Spanish monk of the Dominican Order, used it in his book Pugeo Fidei of the year 1270. Hebrew scholars generally favor "Yahweh" as the most likely pronunciation.” [Aid to Bible Understanding, Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1971, page. 885]

Sa Filipino:

“Ang kaunaunahang naitala na paggamit ng anyong ito [Jehova] ay mula noong ika-13 siglo, Panahong Cristano [C.E.]. Si RAYMUNDUS MARTINI, isang mongheng Kastila ng Dominican Order, ay ginamit ito sa kaniyang aklat na Puego Fidei noong taong 1270.  Karaniwan sa mga Hebreong Iskolar ay pumapabor sa “Yahweh” bilang pinakatamang pagbigkas.”

Bahagi ng Pahina ng aklat na isinulat ni Raymundus Martini ang Pugeo Fidei noong 1270 A.D.,
kung saan unang lumitaw ang Pangalang JEHOVA.

Maliwanag kung gayon na inaamin ng samahang ito, na ang pangalang JEHOVA, ay nagmula sa isang Mongheng Kastilang si RAYMUNDUS MARTINI, mula sa Dominican Order, o isang sangay ng mga PARI sa Iglesia Katolika.  Noon lamang 13^th Century nagkaroon ng salitang JEHOVA, kaya ito ay pinakamatibay na katunayan na hindi kailan man tinawag ng mga Patriarka, mga  Propeta, ng Panginoong Jesus, ng mga Apostol, at maging ang mga Unang Cristiano ang Diyos sa pangalang ito.

At dahil sa Katoliko ang lumikha nito?  Hindi kataka-taka na makita natin sa kanilang mga aklat ang Pangalang JEHOVA, makikita ninyo sa kanilang ONLINE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, na tinatalakay na ang pangalang JEHOVA ay pangalan ng Diyos.

Narito ang LINK:  

Jehovah -  Catholic Encyclopedia

Ang Simbahang Katoliko ay itinuturing nilang HUWAD NA RELIHIYON ang pinagkunan nila ng pangalang ito.  Ito ngayon ang tanong?  Maaari bang panggalingan ng MALINIS na BAGAY ang itinuturing na MARUMI? Sasagutin tayo ni JOB:

Job 14:4  “Sinong makakakuha ng malinis na bagay sa marumi? wala.”

Kaya maliwanag na wala tayong makukuhang tama sa alin mang bagay na ginawa lamang ng Iglesia Katolika.  Kaya hindi tayo dapat magbatay sa kanilang mga aral na sila lang ang gumawa.

Maliwanag kung gayon na MALI na tawaging JEHOVA ang Diyos, dahil sa ang pangalang ito ay INIMBENTO lamang at ginawa lamang ng tao.  

HINDI ITO TUNAY NA PANGALAN NG ATING PANGINOONG DIYOS, KAYA HINDI DAPAT NATIN ITONG GAMITIN BILANG PANGTAWAG SA KANIYA.

Ang Dapat itawag sa Diyos

Bagamat aming tinatanggap na noong Unang Panahon, sa panahon ng Lumang Tipan, ay tunay na tinatawag ang Diyos sa kaniyang ipinakilalang PANGALAN ang “YHWH”.  Sa panahon natin, kung saan tayo ay nasasaklaw ng Panahong Cristiano, ano ang dapat nating itawag sa Panginoong Diyos?

Sino ba ang dapat nating sundin sa Panahong Cristiano na siya ring panahon natin ngayon?

Mateo 17:5  “Samantalang nagsasalita pa siya, narito, ang isang maningning na alapaap ay lumilim sa kanila: at narito, ang isang tinig na mula sa alapaap, na nagsasabi, Ito ang sinisinta kong Anak, na siya kong kinalulugdan; SIYA ANG INYONG PAKINGGAN.”

Samakatuwid sa panahon natin ngayon ang sabi ng Panginoong Diyos, dapat tayong makinig kay Cristo.  Kaya sa isyu na kung ano ang dapat nating itawag sa Panginoong Diyos, ano ang turo ng Panginoong Jesucristo?

Juan 20:17  “Sinabi sa kaniya ni Jesus, Huwag mo akong hipuin; sapagka't hindi pa ako nakakaakyat sa Ama, nguni't pumaroon ka sa aking mga kapatid, at sabihin mo sa kanila, Aakyat ako sa AKING AMA at INYONG AMA, at aking Dios at inyong Dios.”

Napakaliwanag na ang utos ni Cristo ay tawaging AMA ang Diyos, Kung paanong ang tawag niya sa Diyos ay AMA, dapat AMA rin ang itawag natin.

Kaya nga kapag mananalangin tayo sa Diyos ano sabi ni Jesus?

Mateo 6:6  “Datapuwa't ikaw, pagka ikaw ay mananalangin, pumasok ka sa iyong silid, at kung mailapat mo na ang iyong pinto, ay MANALANGIN KA SA IYONG AMA na nasa lihim, at ang iyong AMA na nakakikita sa lihim ay gagantihin ka.”

Kaya ang mga kaanib ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ay tinatawag na AMA ang Diyos lalo na sa aming pananalangin, bilang pagsunod namin sa utos ni Cristo.

Eh ano ang  masamang ibubunga kung hindi namin susundin ang utos na ito ni Cristo?

Lukas 6:46  “At bakit tinatawag ninyo ako, Panginoon, Panginoon, at di ninyo ginagawa ang mga bagay na aking sinasabi?”

Mawawalan kami ng karapatang tumawag kay Cristo bilang aming Panginoon kung hindi namin susundin ang utos niyang tawaging AMA ang Diyos.

Pero nangangatwiran ang mga kaibigan naming SAKSI, sinasabi nila na:

“Hindi ba ang ating mga AMA ay may personal o pansariling Pangalan?  Natural lamang na dapat din nating tawagin ang Diyos sa Pangalan niya.”  Kung ang tao nga ay may pangalan ang Diyos pa kaya mawalan?”

Iyan ang pangkaraniwan nating naririnig na sinasabi nila, kapag sila ay ating nakakausap. bakit ba kailangan nating tawaging Ama ang Diyos?

1 Juan 3:2  “Mga minamahal, ngayon ay MGA ANAK TAYO NG DIOS, at hindi pa nahahayag kung magiging ano tayo. Nalalaman natin, na kung siya'y mahayag, tayo'y magiging katulad niya: sapagka't siya'y ating makikitang gaya ng kaniyang sarili.”

Ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan nating tawaging AMA ang Diyos ay sapagkat tayo’y kaniyang MGA ANAK.  At hindi ba natural lamang na tawagin nating AMA ang nagtuturing sa atin na kaniyang ANAK.

Halimbawa ang pangalan mo ay PEDRO, at mayroon kang ANAK, ikatutuwa mo ba na ang ANAK mo ay tinatawag ka lang na PEDRO? Halimbawa lalapit sa iyo, at may hihingin, “PEDRO may kailangan ako sa iyo?”  Ano ang mararamdaman mo?  Hindi ba masasaktan ka na ganun lang ang tawag ng ANAK mo sa iyo? At ang lumalabas nun hindi mo siya ANAK at hindi ka niya itinuturing na AMA.

Sinasabi nila hindi lang daw JEHOVA ang tawag nila sa DIYOS, kundi AMANG JEHOVA…

Oh balik tayo sa ating halimbawa, tinatawag ka ng anak mo na AMANG PEDRO, hindi ba parang ang lumalabas noon hindi mo siya tunay na Anak,  kapag ganun ang tawag niya sa iyo?  Pero kapag tunay mong Anak, ang tatawag sa iyo, hindi ba AMA lang, TATAY lang, PAPA lang, DADDY lang, etc.?

KAYA KUNG TUNAY NA ANAK ANG TATAWAG SA DIYOS, ANG TAWAG SA KANIYA AY “AMA”,

KAPAG TINATAWAG SIYA SA KANIYANG PANGALAN NG ISANG TAO, MALIWANAG KUNG GAYON NA ANG TAONG IYON AY HINDI TUNAY NA ANAK NG DIYOS.

Hindi natin dapat tawagin ang Diyos sa pangalang  “JEHOVA” na ginawa lang ng tao, ang dapat na itawag natin sa kaniya ayon sa paguturo ng Panginoong Jesus ay AMA, sapagkat tayo ay MGA ANAK niya.