Pedro Melendez

 

This past week, April 11-19, members of the Church of God around the world observed the festivals of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The celebration is a carry-over from the ancient festivals which the Jews and other children of Israel kept, as commanded by the LORD God through His servant Moses (Leviticus 23:4-8).  This was to commemorate an important part in the history of the Israelite nation – their deliverance and salvation from their heavy bondage as strangers and slaves in Egypt, ruled by its cruel king Pharaoh.

Exodus 12 details the preparation, sacrifice, and the eating of the Passover lamb.  God commanded that some of the blood of that lamb was to be daubed on the lintel and doorposts of the Israelites’ homes. That same night the Israelites were to remain in their homes as God’s death angel went through all the land of Egypt to slay the firstborn of man and beast of the Egyptians. The angel was to spare (or “pass over,” thus the name of the festival) the homes of the Israelites on whose doors was the blood of the lamb.

Because of the slaughter of all of Egypt’s firstborn, the Pharaoh finally agreed to let the people of Israel go out to where God commanded them to go. The next evening the Israelites moved out with their family and possessions out of Egypt, with the LORD God leading and accompanying them with His almighty power.

Exodus 123-14 details God’s awesome, miraculous salvation of the families of Israel through the famous “Exodus” through the Red Sea.

The apostle Paul, having been thoroughly instructed in this Jewish celebration, and understanding that the lamb slaughtered on the Passover pictured the eventual sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary as the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 35), wrote to the members of the Church of God at Corinth:

For indeed Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us.  Therefore, let us keep the feast [of Unleavened Bread], not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5: 6).

Paul understood that sin [malice and wickedness] is symbolically like Egypt which enslaves us (Romans 6:20 – “servants of sin” here being translated from the Greek doulos, meaning “slave”).

Leaven of malice and wickedness

Paul had just addressed a serious problem among the Corinthian brethren.  A member had been committing sexual immorality with his “father’s wife” (Verse 1) – actually the man’s mother-in-law! Paul censured the brethren for their failure to reprimand or discipline the erring member, and their being “puffed up” about it (Verse 2) – they tolerated and even boasted about the happening.

Paul strongly urged them to put away their erring brother from their fellowship, so that he might realize the weight of his sin and repent (Verses 4-5).

Paul then explained why it was necessary to put away [in church language, “disfellowship” or “excommunicate”] the sinning brother.  “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens up the whole lump” (Verse 6)?  If they did not take steps to disfellowship the erring brother, his sin would be taken lightly by the other brethren, and this could cause them to be careless about sinning in their own lives.  Just like the effect of leaven on a lump of dough!

Paul and Jude describe the way sin creeps into men, and even into the Church of God — like leaven!  “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage) to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:4-5).  “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of God into lewdness [a form of lawlessness] and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

It was with the same subtlety [or stealth] that Satan, masquerading as a serpent, got Adam and Eve to commit the first human sin at the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3). [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”]. Eve was caught unaware that she was being tricked by the devil with his doubting question: “Has God indeed said ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’” (Genesis 3:1)?  This was contrary to what God had told Adam [and what Adam, told Eve, too], “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17; compare with Genesis 3:2). [See: The Deceitfulness of Sin.]

The apostle Peter admonishes us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He counsels us: “Resist him, steadfast in the faith. Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (Verse 9).

Therefore, we should pray for ourselves with Peter: “But may the God of grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you” (Verse 10).

The apostle James also admonishes us: “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God [in prayer] and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7).

For many years, it was my practice [as it was with other Worldwide Church of God members] during the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, to check the ingredients of food (like biscuits or crackers) to see if there was any leavening in them before I bought and ate then during that period. As God commanded, we were careful to remove all leavening and leavened roducts from our homes, as leaven symbolized sin during this festival.

Paul charges us: “Test [KJV, “Prove”] all things, hold fast what is good. Abstain from any form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).  Likewise, the apostle John: “Beloved, do no t believe every spirit, but test the spirits [thoughts, ideas put forth to us], whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

We cannot properly test the spirits unless we are guided by God’s Holy Spirit in understanding God’s word (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). [See: God’s Spirit and Obedience.] Isaiah 8:20 should guide our testing: “To the law and to the testimony [prophecy, Revelation 19:10]. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light [truth] in them.”

Paul rightly charges: “Therefore let us keep the feast [of Unleavened Bread, showing that it is for Christians, not just Jews, to keep!] … with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

We are to be sincere – whole-hearted – in seeking and obeying and living by [as bread or food, Matthew 4:4] every word of God – His truth (John 17:17), and His law (Psalm 119:142).

But why is the kingdom of God likened to leaven?

It might confuse some to think that, if the Bible looks at leaven as a type or sin, why did Jesus, in a parable, compare the kingdom of God to a woman taking three measures of meal or flour and working each one with leavening (Matthew 13:33)?  He even warned His disciples about “the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:11), and meant it to be their false doctrine (Matthew 16:11-2), their hypocrisy (Luke 12:1)?

To understand this seeming contradiction, we have to look at another of Christ’s parables comparing the kingdom to: the parable of the “mustard seed” (Matthew 13:31-32). Here Jesus explains that, like the littlest of seeds, the kingdom of God starts small and gradually grows until it covers the whole world – just like a little leaven leavens a whole lump of dough.

This website has been set up to help visitors and readers to have their eyes and hearts opened to understanding and living by God’s word and truth [see: About Pool of Siloam]. We hope and pray that through the articles here (now more than 150) you will grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)!

God bless you all!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
20042025/25042025

 

 

 

 

 The apostle Paul wrote: “For to be carnally-minded is death, but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace” (Romans 6:6). In Verse 7 Paul explained why: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against [hostile to] God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

But just what, really, is the “carnal” mind?  The word “carnal is related to the Spanish word “carne” – meaning flesh or meat. We human beings are made up of “meat” – flesh, plus bones, hair and nails, as are most animals, some of which may have scales instead of skin or hair.

Because God created us human beings with flesh, does this explain why we have a “carnal” mind, as Paul mentioned?

The Greek philosophers and Gnostics falsely and wrongly believe that the fleshly part of man is intrinsically bad or evil, and the good part of man is his “soul,” which is released at death, to continue to exist forever as an “immortal soul.” [See: “Is There Ever Any Good in Man?“and “What Happens to Man After Death?”]

The creation account in Genesis 1 assures us that, after God had created man and the animals – cattle, beasts and creeping things (Verses 24-30) – He declared them all indeed “very good” (Verses 31). Genesis 2:25, 18 shows God creating woman to be a suitable help for the first man, Adam, who named her Eve (Genesis 3:20).  Genesis 2:24 shows God ordaining marriage between the man and the woman as a means for them to “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). God describes marriage this way: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And they [two] shall become one flesh.”

The sex act: becoming “one flesh”

In the sex act between a married couple [husband and wife], the two persons join their sex parts [flesh!] as God designed them, to express mutual joy and pleasure in their love embrace. God’s word clearly declares that a husband or his wife does not have authority over his or her own body, but the partner does. Paul was inspired to write: “The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.  And like-wise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does” (1 Corinthians 7:4).

Much more, then, does a man not have authority over the body of a woman who is not his duly married or legal wife.  If a man does have sex with a woman while both are unmarried, this is called the sin of “fornication.”  If a married man has sex with a woman [married or single] who is not his wife, the sin is called “adultery” – forbidden in God’s seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14).  In his example of a man who has sex with a harlot [prostitute], Paul declared that “he who is joined [in the sexual act] to a harlot is one body [or one flesh] with her. For ‘the two,’ He [God] says,’ shall become one flesh’” (1 Corinthians 6:16).

It stands to reason, then, that if a man commits a sex act with another man [married or not], this is a horrible sin [clearly forbidden in Leviticus 18:27; 20:13 and condemned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:24-27; Jude 7; and Revelation 21:8; 22:15 9 (here “dogs” refers to sodomites)] that also results in both men thereby becoming “one flesh” as their bodily parts are joined together. But it is becoming “one flesh” contrary to God’s design for the sexes, as the Bible verses above proscribe.

The homosexual mind especially “carnal”

While all sin [the transgression of God’s law, 1 John 3:4, especially KJV] is enmity against or hostile to God’s law and therefore comes from a “carnal” mind, the sin of homosexuals is particularly carnal!  Many LGBTQ+ community members deny that God condemns the homosexual act, although God’s law or word clearly declares it a sin and an “abomination” or hateful thing [see Bible references above].

A religious broadcaster once joked about the homosexual’s or gay’s “favorite food.”  He said, “mince [men’s] meat!”  Homosexuals are often obsessed with other men’s bodies, especially their sex parts – their flesh or “meat.”

While a homosexual may not have actual sex with another man, he may indulge in vicarious such sex through viewing gay pornography.  And there is a whole stack of this on the internet – reader, beware!

Jesus explained the spiritual principle of adultery as not being just the actual, physical act, but also the “lust” or the desiring of it in one’s mind or heart (Matthew 5:27-28). This principle applies to homosexual desires and lusts – a person who indulges in them is guilty of having actually, physically committed the sex acts themselves. Paul was inspired to write that “Covetousness … is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Homosexuals have made idols of men and their sex parts!

Neuro-scientists or expert in brain studies have pointed out the addictive effect of same-sex attraction (SSA) and viewing gay or even “straight” [heterosexual] pornography. The pleasurable experience involved here brings out certain biochemicals in the brain [such as dopamine] that reinforce the behavior, so that one becomes a virtual “slave” to it –it becomes his idol!

Actually, most if not all sin is accompanied by momentary pleasure (Hebrews 11:24-28). [See: “The Deceitfulness of Sin.”]  Paul prophesied that, in the last days –our times today! – perilous times will come.  Men shall, among others, be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” “(2 Timothy 3:1, 4).

Then Paul explained: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slave whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness” (Romans 6:15) – and everlasting life!

The oppressive nature of sin – its addictive influence and force – is such that the subjugation or bondage sets up “strongholds” – STRONG HOLDS! – in the mind and thoughts of the sinner (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Antidote to the carnal mind

Paul wrote: “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace …. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead [the fleshly pulls become weak, even powerless], but the Spirit is life because of righteousness [obedience to God’s commandments (Psalm 119:172; Luke 1:6)] …therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh [carnally], you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:6, 9-10, 12-14).

Thus, the all-important antidote to the carnal mind and sin is the Spirit of God and of Christ!  How do we receive it?  Acts 2:38 gives the “formula.” [See: “God’s Spirit and Obedience,” “The Higher Law of the Spirit” and “Freed From Bondage.”]

Paul wrote: “For though we walk in the flesh [we remain as sin-prone mortals now], we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [they are spiritual!] but mighty [powerful] in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Where the battle is

The battle starts in the mind and finishes in the body. Our thoughts are the battleground!

As the above Scripture verse says, need to “bring every thought into captivity” to obey Christ and His word. We need to capture and submit every wrong, sinful thought to Christ, so He can redirect it conform to His holy, righteous thoughts. As Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD! ‘For as the heavens are higher them the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” The apostle Peter reiterated what God had  long commanded His people or children: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind [as in getting ready to walk where God leads], be sober [mind in control], and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be Holy, For I Am Holy”(1 Peter 1:13-15).

Like a good soldier or sentinel, we need to guard what thoughts we allow our minds to entertain or dwell on.  No, it’s not a matter of sheer human will! This won’t work, because relying on the resources of our carnal mind alone won’t work.  As Paul explained, the carnal mind is not subject to God’s law nor indeed can be! As true disciples of Christ, we have His Spirit in us to help us have the power of self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – control over our thoughts! We will be defended by the “full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:14-18).

We will be empowered to fulfill Paul’s admonition: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Paul echoed what Psalm 1:1-2 has long taught: “Blessed [happy] is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly [we get plenty of this in the advice columns of carnal “teachers” in the print and electronic media], nor stands in the path of sinners [avoid their company], nor sits in the seat of the scornful [like spending hours seated before a TV, desktop, laptop, tablet or i-phone watching programs that despise God’s law and way of life; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 1:3 shines a bright light on Galatians 5:22 [about the nine-faceted “fruit of the Spirit] – “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water [symbolic of God’s Spirit, John 7:38-39], that brings forth fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”

James 1:14-15 shows how the lack of self-control leads to sin: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then when the desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.”

The key, then, is to capture the desire while it is still forming in our mind and heart, before it becomes full grown and cannot be controlled – leading us to sin and death!  It is then that we can ask God to “deliver us from evil [or the evil one – Satan] (Matthew 6:13). And He will!

That is how we are able to control our carnal mind. “Not by [human] might nor by [human] power, but by My [God’s] Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6).

And let’s not be confused about what it means by there being no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Yes, once we are forgiven of our sins through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, we are no longer condemned for those forgiven sins. But, if after this we continue to harbor wicked thoughts in our mind and heart, we come under condemnation by God’s law (and hopefully our conscience) until we repent and ask for God’s forgiveness.

The love of God through Christ does not mean we should no longer have the fear of God.  Again Paul urged that we should “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness” (Romans 11:22). To understand more about this important issue on overcoming our carnal mind, see: “Can We Fear and Love God at the Same Time?”

For more knowledge about overcoming our carnal nature and mind, see: “Breaking Down Our ‘Walls of Jericho,’” “The Rainbow Connection,” “The Conversion Therapy Controversy,” “Should Everyone Be Allowed to Be Who They Are?” and “Does God Require Us to Do the Impossible?”

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
21032025/29032025  

 

 

 

 

 

In my recent article [see: “Are You Zealous for the Fear of the LORD All the Day?”], I referred to the website set up by a distinguished American scientist who, for now, goes by the name “Adon” [https://thehighestofthemountains.com].

I was greatly amazed by how this American mechanical engineer and former aerospace engineer who is also a neuro-scientist and computer engineering expert disproved the theory of evolution – proving it to be a big lie – by his complex scientific explanations. By mapping out the complex circuitries of the human brain, Adon proved that intelligent mankind could not have existed by some mindless evolution, but by deliberate design and execution by a supremely intelligent divine Engineer!

While Adon goes on to explain other matters of the Bible from his expert scientific viewpoint, it struck me that everything we’ve wondered about life seems to be capable of being understood and explained by science!

But can it – really?

For example, I got the sense from Adon that we can construct and develop our own human “spirit.”  But what does God’s word, the Holy Bible, say?

Job 52:8 and 1 Corinthians both affirm that “there is a spirit in man.”  And Ecclesiastes 12:7 clarifies that God gave mankind their individual spirit, which at death returns to God as its Maker and Giver.

The Bible does not specify when or at what stage of human development each individual human being receives his unique spirit from God.  Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA), the late founder and Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), proposed that the spirit of a man comes to him at his first draw of breath at birth, just as Adam became a living soul or being when God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils (Genesis 2|:7).

However, one can justly ask: “Is not a human baby, while still in its mother’s womb, already a living human being even though it has not yet breathed through its own lungs? Otherwise, how can anti-abortionists call abortion a murder of infants?

A human fetus in its mother’s womb is already a human being, and we must assume that the baby already has its own spirit as its brain develops.  Studies have shown that human fetuses are already sentient – they can respond or react to temperature changes, trauma such as poking, sounds, etc.

Some parents make it a point to speak lovingly to their fetal baby as if it were already a fully born child, in order to calm the baby.  Some parents even play classical music for the unborn baby to listen to, in hopes that the child will eventually grow up appreciating this kind of music.  Which demonstrates that a human fetus already has enough ability to absorb some “knowledge” (such as the sounds of classical music) to be able to appreciate it later, after birth.

Life itself is a miracle!  Scientists might explain it in terms of chemistry, physics or biology, but they cannot explain how life really begins, or what – who – causes human life to exist?  Indeed, the mystery of life!

That mystery can only make sense if there is a Designer/Creator God behind all life on our planet – human, animal and plant. Adon amply explains this through his vast scientific knowledge and research.

But what about our human spirit?  While we did not create it in ourselves, we can do things to enhance our spirit – through self-study or training such us by tutors or in schools.  God also imparts spiritual “gifts” to human spirits as He sees fit (1 Corinthians 12).

Divine miracles unexplainable by science

Besides the miracle of God creating Adam and Eve and, by His mere word or command God also creating ALL other things on earth and our atmosphere (Genesis 1-3), the LORD or God of Israel delivered the people of Israel from their bondage and slavery in the land of Egypt through miracles and wonders and brought them to their Promised Land (accounts in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges).

The history of the people of Israel (the rest of the Old Testament) is punctuated by God’s miraculous interventions to save His people from their own folly and sin and from their enemies.

In the New Testament we find plenty of scientifically unexplainable miracles done by Jesus Christ and His apostles. Jesus Himself was born through a miracle of a virgin conceiving without the participation of a human father (Luke 1:26-80).

• • • When the wine at a wedding party in Cana ran out, Jesus turned plain water into superior-quality wine (John 2:1-10).
    • Jesus calmed the stormy winds and sea by His mere command (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-42; 7:24-37; Luke 8:22-25).  He also walked on water like on dry land, as did Peter for a moment (Matthew 14:22-33).
    • Without any medication or surgical procedures, Jesus healed all manner of diseases brought to Him (Matthew 4:23-25; 15:30-31; Mark 7:31-37; Luke 4:40 -41).
    • With just a few pieces of bread and fish, Jesus fed thousands of people more than once (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-38; Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-10).
    • Jesus raised people back to life from the dead: the son of a widow at Nain (Luke 7:11-17); the daughter of a synagogue ruler (Matthew 9:18-28; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56); Lazarus, brother of Jesus’ friends Mary and Martha (John 11:1-44).
    • Jesus Himself resurrected from the dead three days after His crucifixion (Matthew 27:62-28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10). He then ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11).
    • Through Peter, a lame man was healed (Acts 3:1-10).
    • Through Paul God healed many diseases (Acts 19:11-12).

When Christ returns from heaven to this earth, many signs and wonders will occur as detailed in the book of Revelation (6-11;14-22), and mentioned by the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 13; Joel 2:1-11; Zechariah 14).

Does the human spirit live forever?

Adon believes and teaches that, as such, the human spirit lives forever, that it cannot or will not be destroyed. He did say that the spirit of a righteous man lives forever, but if we examine the testimony of the holy Scriptures, the same does not apply to unrepentant, wicked people.

Hebrews 12:23 mentions “the spirits of just men made perfect” who are counted worthy to become part of the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are “registered in heaven” (Verse 23, first part) – those who will have a place in the New Heavens (Revelation 21:1-5).  On the other hand, unjust (unrighteous) men – those who persist on doing evil and not repenting of it will be cast into a “lake of fire” at the end of the Day of Judgment – never to have another chance to be resurrected to life ever again, having died the “second death” (Revelation 21:8). God will use the spirit of true Christians and children of God who have died as some kind of blueprint or template to resurrect them to everlasting life at Christ’s return, or at the end of the judgment period after the millennial rule of Christ (Revelation 20:5, 11-12).  It stands to reason that the spirit of incorrigibly wicked people will need to be destroyed, along with their body and soul in hell-fire (Matthew 10:28).

The Bible does not teach that man has an “immortal soul.”  Ezekiel 18:20 plainly says that “The soul who sins shall die.”  [See:  “What Happens to Man After Death?”]

Isaiah 45:5, 6, 21; 6:9 repeatedly affirms that the LORD God exists, and there is none other God besides Him. He alone is worthy of the highest glory, honor, worship and praise (Revelation 4:11)!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
20022025/28022025

 

 

Ezekiel 14:4, 7 is about God condemning the nation of Israel for every one of them setting up “idols in his heart.”  We might contrast these to “idols in the arts,” idols which can be seen or touched – idols which men, we, can craft with our hands using wood, stone, metal, concrete, ceramic, glass, or plastic, etc.

Just what is an idol?

The first two of the Ten Commandments which God gave to His nation Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:3-4) forbid them – and us as well – to have ”other gods” before the LORD God, and to make a carved image [idol] in the likeness of any created thing [heavenly body, animal, plant, or man] then to bow down to, worship or serve it in place of the Creator God, who identifies Himself as One who brought the whole house of Israel from their hard bondage in Egypt through His wonders and miracles (Exodus 12-15) into the Promised Land.

These idols “in the arts,” as we may call these images, are material, physical objects that we can destroy by cutting them down with some powerful tool, by dissolving them in a strong acid or alkali, burning or torching them or throwing them into the depths of the ocean.

By comparison, idols “in the heart” cannot always be seen or touched physically, but are just as real as, if not more powerful, than idols that we can see or touch. Thus, these former are more difficult to put away.

What is an idol “in the [our] heart”?

 Anything that we value more highly than God and His Word – including His laws and commandments – is or becomes an “idol.”  This could be our human intellect, our own ideas about the reality of our universe and our earth, of what is right and what is wrong [good or evil], etc., as opposed to God’s, as revealed in His Word, the Holy Bible.

Thus, some have made an “idol” of the idea or theory of a Godless evolution to explain the existence of the natural order of life on this our planet earth.  [See:  https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklets titled “Some Fishy Stories,” “A Theory for the Birds,” “A Whale of a Tale,” and “Does God Exist?”] The apostle Paul wrote about the dire result of rejecting the existence of God on one’s moral life (Romans 1:18-32).

Paul also “hit the nail on the head” when he wrote, “covetousness is idolatry” (Galatians 3:6). This explains how we can set up “idols in the heart!” The tenth of God’s Ten Commandments” commands us not to “covet” anything that belongs to our neighbor [fellow man], whether man, beast, or property (Exodus 29:17).

What does it mean to “covet?”  The meaning of this word has often been obscured by our modern use such as in our saying, “We covet your prayers” when we mean we “desire” or would like to have, or request.

Jesus made it plain  and vivid what it means to “covet” when He said: “You have heard it said to those of old ‘You shall not commit adultery’ [the seventh of God’s Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:14].  But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

To “lust” for, in this case, is to strongly desire to perform an intimate act such as is appropriate only between a man and his lawful wife – in plain language, sex. When sex is alluded to, God’s word includes prohibition against sex between a man and another man, a woman and another woman, a man or woman and a close relative or a beast (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13,14-21; Romans 1:26-27). [See: The Rainbow Connection.]

In ancient times people worshiped sex idols – carved or painted images of naked men and women (singly or in various sexual postures), structures that symbolized the male sex organ or the phallus. Today there may no longer be such idols, but more such images – in fact, “live” in many cases — can be readily seen through the “media” – social, print, graphic or electronic. Pornography in its various shades is a multi-billion-dollar business “industry!” It has become a modern plague!

These graphic images have such a strong neurochemical bond in people’s minds that they have become “idols in the heart!” They are much, much more difficult to put away than material, physical idols! It’s a case akin to, but much worse than, drug addiction!

Idols in the heart are not all about sex.  They also include wealth or any highly esteemed material possession [Jesus called it the god “Mammon” (Matthew 6:24)]. And why do we call celebrities our “idols?”

What’s the way out of this dilemma?

The above-cited article gives some clues.   See also: The Conversion Therapy Controversy, Should Everyone Be Allowed to Be Who They Are?  Are You Zealous for the Fear of God All the Day?  The Higher Law of the Spirit, and Breaking Down Our “Walls of Jericho.” In addition, I just recently discovered an inspirational song that can serve as a powerful battle prayer-song for those struggling to change their lives.  The song can be accessed through Google: Bradley Steele – Same Ol Same Ol (Lyrics Video). One especially striking line of this song goes: “Same ol memories stuck on replay.”

God help us put away all idols, especially those in our hearts! Failing to do so will guarantee our everlasting destruction (Revelation 21:8)!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
26022025/31012025

 

Proverbs 23:13 exhorts: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day.”

The unnamed writer of Psalm 119, who expresses his day-long love for the law of God (Verse 97), describes himself as God’s servant who is “devoted to fearing You” [God or the LORD] (Verse 38).

For a long time many “Christian” preachers and teachers have taught that Jesus Christ came to bring a message of hope and love, not a message of fear.  They would often base their belief on their understanding of 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  And the Bible verse they love and promote and have memorized is John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

So, where does that leave the people who are zealous for and devoted to the fear of the LORD?

Israel’s third king Solomon [after Saul and David] is presumed to have written the above-quoted proverb. I might add that it was while Solomon remained faithful to the God of Israel that he was zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day, and did not let his heart envy sinners.  For a while he thus remained faithful and obedient to God and His laws.  He understood, as we should, that “the fear of the LORD” leads one to depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6), and to do good or what is right, according to the law of God.

But, sadly, the royal history of Israel records that King Solomon later forsook the God of Israel.  And why?  Because he allowed himself to be swayed by his many foreign wives into worshiping their idols.  In fact, he built temples or worship places for their idols or gods and sacrificed to them.  As a result, the kingdom of Israel became torn.  The greater bulk of Israel (ten tribes) broke away from the “house of David.” Thus, in the days of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the split-up left him and the rest of Solomon’s descendants with just the tribe of Judah, plus the tribe of Levi and a portion of the tribes of Benjamin and Simeon (1 Kings 11:9-13; 12:1-20). [See: God’s Kingdom and Israel.]

Quoting Psalm 36:1, the apostle Paul wrote about the people of his day, as he well might have written about our present time: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 13:18).  It is mighty significant that God’s word specifies where the fear of God is located: “before their eyes.”  Neuroscientists have discovered that the frontal lobe of the brain is where our memories are stored, and our reasoning and decision-making take place. [See: thehighestofthemountains.com, article “Engineered for Human Life.”]

The American author of the said website, a mechanical and former spacecraft engineer and a neuroscientist and expert computer scientist going by the name “Adon,” presents some rather technical explanations about the biochemical factors that go into having the fear of God that help to suppress sinful thoughts or desires, such as looking at pornography or fantasizing about illicit sexual acts.

Psalm 86:11 ought to be our prayer too: “Unite my heart to fear Thy [God’s] name.” Then, let’s claim God’s promise: “God takes pleasure in them that fear Him” (Psalm 147:11). “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life”(Proverbs 14:27).  “The LORD pities them that fear Him” (Psalm 103:11). “And  His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50).  “By humility and fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). “But in every nation whoever fears Him [God] and works righteousness is accepted of Him” (Acts 10:35).

To help you understand better how the fear and love of God work together, see: Can We Fear and Love God at the Same Time? and The Four Dimensions of Christ’s Love.

May God help all of us to be zealous for and devoted to the fear of the LORD all the day!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
20122024/21122024

 

Just in the last few weeks, this website’s visitor counter (found at the end or far end of each article) registered a high of 500,000+ visitors!  I had this counter feature installed only about a year ago.   Since this website began in late 2013 — almost 11 years ago — there have been some 10 years that I had not monitored the number of visitors. Assuming a modest 200,000 visits per year, it is quite possible that I may already have had some 2 million persons visit my site previously! If this is the actual case, what a great blessing from God to have had some 2.5 million total visitors!

While I’m not in some kind of “popularity contest,” this number is indeed significant,  by current social media standards.   But it is still a far cry from this website’s aim: to help fulfill Christ’s prophecy in Matthew 24:14 — “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end [of this present age] will come.”  There are still many nations which this website has not reached.

If you are up-to-date with current world events, you will get the sense that this world’s present troubles are fast hurtling the human race and our “good earth” into complete annihilation, unless some divine intervention takes place in time (Matthew 24:21). [See: “The Next Chapter of History.”]

Like several other writers [see: About the Author] I feel the urgency of the burden of Ezekiel  3:15-21, which says we must warn people about prophesied events to take place before they do, or else we will be held accountable by God.

So far, I have not reached a sizeable percentage of the world’s total population of now almost eight billion [2.5 million is not even 1% of that total].  There is still a long way to go!  I will ask my website manager soon to include a forward or share button to help you, my dear readers,  share with your family, friends and associates whatever articles touch you.  In the meantime, if you are up to citing my articles for their benefit in any way you can, God bless you abundantly!

The good news of Christ’s soon return to save mankind and our earth from annihilation must be proclaimed in these last remaining moments of our history! There is no greater GOOD NEWS than this!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
20112024/30112024

 

Just this week, I came upon a Youtube post titled “A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED! Jesus and the angels appear in Jerusalem.”  No mention was made of the date of the apparently supernatural occurrence (except “10 days ago”) witnessed and reported by pilgrims who were on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where this phenomenon took place.

Some of the pilgrims, and other people who have since pondered their report, believe the event to be a fulfillment of prophecy in Acts 1:12, about how the disciples of Christ had returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus had been taken up to heaven, and where, an angel told them, Jesus will descend at His return.  This is affirmed by Zechariah 14:14, which says that the Messiah’s feet will land there at His coming in great glory to save Israel.

Understandably, reaction to this apparently supernatural event has been divided.  One camp believes that this event was an authentic manifestation of Christ/the Messiah and angels.  Another camp believes it may have been a supernatural occurrence, but a great deception brought on by God’s enemy, Satan the devil and the antichrist – a “ruse” to trap believers into destruction.

What is the truth about this event, according to the Bible?  As the video host pointed out:

• Matthew 24:24 – Christ warned that at “the end of the age” (Verse3) “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Christ warned further: “Therefore if they say to you ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it” (Verse 26).
•  Matthew 24:30-31 –“Then the sign of the Son of Man [Christ] will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect [true Christians] from the four winds [all over the earth], from one end of heaven to the other” ( emphasis added).

*The whole world – all of earth’s inhabitants –not just the Jews or Israel, will see the coming of Christ with His angels!

• Revelation1:7 – “Behold, He [Christ] is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

That means that Christ at His return will appear high up in the heavens, not just over the Mount of Olives, for the whole world to see Him at the same time.  Only later will He touch down on the Mount of Olives, to take dominion over all nations.

*Before this happens, other events will take place that are yet to be fulfilled, before the above-mentioned sign appears:

• Revelation 6:12-17 – “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as a sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus]!  For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand’?”
• Revelation 7:1-4 – “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God.  And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of God [true Christians] on their foreheads.’  And I heard the number of those who were sealed.  One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.”
  

*Revelation 8-9, 11:15-19 describes details of the seven trumpets (comprising the 7^th seal) and the plagues they will bring.  The 7^th and last trumpet will herald the appearance of Christ in the clouds to gather all His elect.

• 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 6-11 – “Now, brethren, concerning the coming [return] of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together in Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ [His return] had come. Let no one deceive you by any means, for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God…For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He [God] who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

*Just because something supernatural or miraculous happens is no guarantee that this comes from God.  That is because Satan, who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9), can also perform “lying wonders.” Again, he will do these wonders through his human agent called “another beast” who “had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon [Satan, compare with Revelation 12:9]:

• Revelation 13:13 – “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do…”

*When the seventh and last trumpet of God is sounded by an angel of God, Christ will take control of all the kingdoms of this world, and reward His saints with glory, and destroy those who destroy the earth – foremost being Satan himself, who is called “Abaddon” or “Apollyon”, (Revelation 9:11) — meaning “Destroyer.”

• Revelation 11:15-18 – “Then the seventh angel sounded. And there were loud voices in heaven saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’  And the twenty-four elders [spirit beings] who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:

‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.’”

*The apostle Paul also wrote about the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, and the rewarding of the saints with glory:

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 – “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep [died], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep [have died] in Jesus.

For this I say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 – “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [remain dead], but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall b changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”

*The above will take place as soon as Christ appears in the clouds at His return.  This has not happened since the reported “miracle in Jerusalem!” Therefore, this “apparition” was not – and could not have been — a genuine manifestation of Christ and His angels!  In addition, the reported supposed appearance of Christ was that of a man with long hair and a full beard. This runs contrary to the apostle Paul’s Christ-inspired statement in 1 Corinthians 11: 14 -15 – “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?  But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.”

In the video of the supposed “miracle” the angels were depicted as women and with wings.  In Scripture only cherubim and seraphim are described as having wings (Ezekiel 1:5-7, 11; 10:1, 15; Isaiah 4:2).  Most of the angels are wingless and appear like men, not women.  When the two angels appeared to Lot, they had the appearance of men (Genesis 19:1-5, etc.).

I trust that this proof from the Bible sufficiently clarifies whether this recent “miracle in Jerusalem” was from God, or from the devil. For more details about what will take place leading to the return of Christ. see this link:  https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklet titled “The Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last!”]

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
23102024

 

In a number of instances Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “You have heard it said …” or “Moses [gave some instruction from God to the people of Israel] … But I say to you [something other or new].” These instances are recorded in the following New Testament Scriptures:

• • • Matthew 5:21-26 – “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother ‘Raca’ [‘Stupid!’] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says. ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way to him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you are thrown into prison.  Assuredly, I say to you, you will be no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”

[Compare with Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.” And Exodus 21:12, “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.”]

• • • Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard it said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

[Compare with Exodus 29:14, “You shall not commit adultery.”]

• • • Matthew 5:31 – “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’  But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

[Compare with Deuteronomy 24:1, “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her; and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house,”]

• • • Matthew 5:33-37 – “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.  But I say to you, do not swear at all:  neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ be ‘No.’  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

[Compare with Leviticus 19:12, “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.” Numbers 30:2, “If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”]

• • • Matthew 5:38-42 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

[Compare with Leviticus 24:19-21, “If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him.  And whoever kills an animal shall restore it; but whoever kills a man shall be put to death.”]

• • • Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others?  Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

[Compare with Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” Psalm 139:19-22, “Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!  Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.  For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.  Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?  And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?  I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.”]

How could Jesus have said what He said?  What authority did He have for doing do?

In order to understand this, we need to know WHO Jesus really was – and is.

The Bible is replete with proofs that Jesus was no ordinary mortal.  That He was indeed the Creator God who came to earth in the form or likeness of a fleshly human, so that He could become our Savior from our sin and its consequence: permanent death.

Rather than repeat myself here, let me refer you to my previous website article that explains this: The True Christ. [See also: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Reference Material,” and scroll down the article titled “God’s Nature Articles (wcg),” then,“Who —  What — Was Jesus Before His Human Birth?”]

As such Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18).

One way Jesus fulfilled the law [particularly the statutes and ordinances on animal sacrifices, grain and wine offerings, and washings as required by Leviticus 1-7; 14-15] was by offering His blood on the cross at Calvary as “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). His blood paid the “ransom” from death that our sin requires, so that we won’t have to die but instead have everlasting life|(Romans 6:23). [See:  The Ransomed of the LORD.]

Hebrews 10:4-14 explains that the Old Testament sacrifices could not really take away sins. Only Christ’s sacrifice of His body and blood can effectively do that. Hebrews 9:6-9 speaks about how the gifts and sacrifices offered for sin could “not make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience — concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the reformation [at Christ’s first coming.”

Another way Christ fulfilled the Law was by requiring us to not merely obey the letter of the law, but its spirit and intent. We are judged not just by our outward deeds but by our thoughts, the intents of our heart (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28). As 1 Samuel 16:7 [latter half] says: “For the LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Jesus said: “For the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.  For the Father judges no one, but He has committed judgment to the Son; that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:21-23).

We can be assured that as Judge, Christ does and will judge righteously. Psalms 119:7, 39, 62, 75, 106, 137, 160, 164, profusely praise God’s judgments as righteous and good. Revelation 16:7; 129:2 echo the truth and righteousness of God’s judgments.

The apostle Paul wrote that, because Jesus had so humbled Himself in offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross as our Savior from sin, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

This being the case, Jesus has every right speak the way He did!  He also said that the word He spoke, “which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me (John 14:24). The “word” includes not just that recorded in the New Testament, but also that in the Old. Jesus told the Roman governor at Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate: “For this cause … I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

Finally, let’s go back to the original issue put forth by this article:  Did Christ contradict the things God had inspired Moses to write in the Old Testament?  For further explanation of the answer, see:  Moses and Jesus – Are They Contraries?

God bless you with a good understanding!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
20092024/28092024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I write in response to a comment I received recently, from an ex-WCG member who is now a firm believer in Protestant or reform theology, about my explanation that the Bible teaches that there are three “seasons of grace” or ages of salvation.  This person remarked that there is no such statement in the Bible.  As most evangelicals believe, today is the only day of salvation.  Therefore, according to this belief, if you are not saved today or in this age, you are lost forever!

While there is no direct Scripture verse that says exactly that there is a “season of grace” or there are “three seasons of grace,” we can fall back on the wise King Solomon’s inspired observation in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

If there is indeed a season for everything, a time for every purpose, why not a season of grace for everyone – a time for every single human being to receive salvation [if they will], according to God’s purpose?

Rather than rehash my full explanation on the “three seasons of grace,” let me refer you to my website article “This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation.” Also, the articles “The Divine Prerogatives,”  “Predestination,” and “God’s Feasts and the Jews – Part 2,” especially that section about the Day of Pentecost.

God grant you a good understanding!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
26082024/31082024

 

 

The world-acclaimed bloodless EDSA Revolution of 1986 in the Philippines, also dubbed as “People Power,” set a precedent for other nations to mount similar civil movements to protest existing government corruption and to establish a new rule.  [See: https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/people-power-revolution-philippines-1986?language_entity=en.]

In recent weeks, a very vocal group of supporters of the colorful former Philippine president Rodrigo “Digong” Roa-Duterte and his daughter, current Philippine vice president Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio (fondly called “Inday Sara”) staged a “prayer rally” at the “Liwasang Bonifacio,”  Plaza Bonifacio or “Freedom Park” in Manila (named after the 1898 revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio) beginning in early March this year and continuing for over a week.

The rally was in protest against certain high public officials and personalities for their alleged unlawful actions, for which they have not been brought to court or for accounting. These citizens, many of whom came all the way from Mindanao, have – as it were – instead taken the law in their own hands.  [Search Google for “ Duterte-led Prayer Rally at Bonifacio Freedom Park”  and click on the link that works; sorry, the original link that was forwarded to me has been removed. ]

There are several parallels of this protest with the 1986 EDSA Revolution.  In fact, this rally seems to foment an EDSA IV!

1. The 1986 EDSA Revolution was a protest against perceived abuse of Marcos’ dictatorial powers that executed many of his opponents, and rigging the results of the 1985 “snap” presidential election, where he, reelectionist Ferdinand “Apo Ferdie” E. Marcos, Sr., was declared winner over his rival, the widow of the late controversial senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino. Concerned citizens initiated a recount of the presidential ballots, where the result showed Cory Aquino as the winner instead. Thus, Aquino supporters marched to Metro Manila’s largest and longest thoroughfare, EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) to declare support for Cory as the rightful president-elect. Upon the urging of then U.S. president Ronald Reagan, Marcos Sr. abdicated his presidency and was flown to Hawaii for his exile until his death there.

 The recent “prayer rally” against the “Apo’s” son “Bongbong”Marcos, Jr. asserts that he did not really win the 2019 presidential election over his opponent, the widow of noted Bicol mayor Jesse Robredo, “Leni” Robredo. A very angry former director of the national Commission on Elections (COMELEC), a Ms. Cam, claimed personal knowledge that Marcos Jr.’s wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, had collaborated with the  current COMELEC chairman to select the alleged ballot-rigger Smartmatic company as the official digital ballot counter, which showed Bongbong with 20+ million votes winning over rival Leni. The alleged authentic count of vice presidential candidate Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio was at 30+ million votes.

 Leni Robredo has chosen not to protest the presidential vote results and has since exited the top political scene to devote herself to her community development projects. This is quite unlike what the supporters of Cory Aquino did to protest the result of the 1985 presidential election, which showed Marcos Sr. as winner. This led to the “People Power” Revolution at EDSA, which installed Cory Aquino as president.

 “Inday Sara’s” supporters  assert that, if Robredo had truly won the presidential race but has relinquished the post, then as vice president Sara Duterte should be declared the rightful successor, leaving Marcos. Jr. out of the picture as the “pretender!”

2. The Roman Catholic Jaime Cardinal Sin was the “spirit” that urged multiple thousands of citizens to join the mass of people on EDSA to protect the national military forces that had flipped loyalty from Marcos, Sr. to Cory Aquino. In this 2024 rally, the founder of the sect “Kingdom of Jesus Christ” (KOJC) and self-proclaimed appointed “Son of God,” Apollo Carreon- Quiboloy, is a major reason for the “prayer rally.” Former president Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, a close friend of Quiboloy, who backed his presidential candidacy with his followers’ million-plus votes, believes that Quiboloy is not guilty of the alleged moral offenses and illegal operations (money laundering, sexual abuse, human trafficking, drug-pushing) thrown at him.

3. The 1986 EDSA Revolution is claimed as a “bloodless” revolution. The Dutertes and Quiboloy have urged the crowd at the Bonifacio “Freedom Park” to remain peaceful and avoid physical violence, although verbal “violence” has been the rule here!

The Christian attitude towards those in authority

 The Holy Bible, God’s Word, is quite plain and straightforward in its charge for Christians to submit themselves to those who are in seats of authority. 1 Peter 2:13-17 says:

Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men – as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.  Honor all people.  Love the brotherhood.  Honor the king.

 Romans 13:1-7 reinforces this:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. Buit if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Even in the Old Testament (Daniel 4:25) God had declared: “…that you may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, And gives it to whomever He chooses.”  In the end, whether rulers occupy their seats legally or illegally, God allows it, but He is still in full control and has the ultimate rule.

The example of Daniel’s three friends

 In Daniel 3:1-30 we have a marvelous example of the Godly response to unfair or unreasonable treatment by a ruler.  Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had made a huge golden image and required everyone in his kingdom to bow down and worship that image when the signal to do so was sounded.  Of course, these Jewish lads knew about and kept God’s first two commandments to have no other gods than the true God and to not worship carved images (Exodus 20:1-6).

They calmly and respectfully refused to comply with the king’s decree, and were willing to suffer the consequence.  God miraculously intervened by sending His angel to protect the lads from being in the least harmed by the intense fire of the king’s “oven.”  Their resolute faith in and obedience to God has been a great inspiration to many Christians to remain faithful to God despite persecution and even execution for obeying God instead of man.

Christ’s example of submission to authority 

Even as the “King of kings and Lord of lords” that He was, Jesus Christ submitted Himself to the civil authorities of His day.  He followed His own charge to His disciples: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).  “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.  That you may be sons of your Father in heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45).

The Duterte rallyists who noisily condemned some officials with hateful accusations were indeed not following this divine charge! Neither, Paul’s charge to emulate Christ’s example of humility (Philippians 2:3, 5-8):

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself…Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

The pro-Duterte rallyists should, instead, leave the judging of the officials they condemn to the proper courts of the land.  They might protest, “But our courts are manned by “unjust judges” (Luke 18:1-6).  Despite this, however, the courts of the land are a more orderly way to settle disputes than noisily taking judgment to the streets.

The ultimate Judge 

In the end each and every one of us will have to face a day of reckoning.  God has given all judgment to His Son Jesus Christ (John 5:22, 27).  He will judge each of us according to our works, whether good or evil (Verses 28-29; see also Revelation 20:12; Romans 14:10; 2:5-10).  Not only will we be judged according to our works, but according to every word we say (Matthew 12:36): “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jesus twice said: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

Let’s every one of us repent of our evil deeds and words so we won’t perish but be saved in God’s soon-coming everlasting kingdom!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
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