Pedro Melendez

 

 

One of the puzzling Scripture passages is that about Noah cursing Canaan, son of his younger son Ham (Genesis 9:18; 10:6). Earlier, in Genesis 9:21-27, we see a situation where Noah got drunk from wine which he, apparently, had made from his own vineyard. As a result, Noah was found naked (however it happened is not clear) inside his tent. Ham saw him in that condition and told his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, about it (Verse 10). Ham’s brothers then took a garment, robe or tunic and, walking backward to where their father lay so they would not see his nakedness, they covered him.

In Verse 24 we see Noah sobering up from his drunken stupor, and recalling what “his younger son had done to him.” Then suddenly, in Verse 25, we see Noah cursing his grandson Canaan, instead of Ham!

Why did Noah do this, if it was Ham, not Canaan (as far as the text appears to say) who saw him naked?

God’s perfect judgment

Ezekiel 14:14 confirms that Noah was judged by God to be a righteous man, as were Job and Daniel. That is to say that, overall, Noah obeyed God’s law (Psalm 119:172; Genesis 6:8-9), although in a moment of weakness he obviously sinned by becoming drunk (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). We can assume that he repented of that and is assured of his eternal reward (Hebrews 11:7).

Ezekiel 18:20 judges that “…the son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.” This echoes Deuteronomy 24:16, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”

If Ham merely – even unintentionally – saw his father’s nakedness, why did Noah react as strongly as he did?  And why the curse on Canaan instead – thus contradicting this said law?

Noah was reacting to a more serious offense done (actively, not just passively, as in merely looking) to him by his “younger son.”  The Hebrew of this phrase, however, can be taken to also mean “grandson.”

Therefore, it appears more likely the case that it was Canaan who did something so grave to his grandfather that it caused him to justly pronounce a dire curse on Canaan!

A key to understanding this is the principle in God’s second commandment (Exodus 20:4). Here God warns that He will visit the iniquity or sin of the fathers upon the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him. In addition, Jesus’ words “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20) could apply here too.

The sin or iniquity of the fathers visited on the children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren may, in some cases, be a matter of heredity – through the genes. But in more cases, it is the influence – the environment in the family, especially the examples parents set for their children, and other factors – through which the descendants’ traits of personality and behavior are shaped.  As a saying puts it, children often learn more from what is “caught” than what is “taught – especially in terms of attitudes and perspectives!  In our times today the “Media” has also played a big part in the development of our youth, not to forget the influence of the church and school and friends, too.

If we examine the iniquity or sin of Canaan’s early descendants (his “fruits”), we may have a clue to Canaan’s sin, for which Noah cursed him. Genesis 10:19 says, the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.”

The infamous people of Sodom and Gomorrah, therefore, apparently descended from Canaan (the “tree” on which the “fruits” grew)! And they are historically notorious for their homosexual excesses, as Abraham’s nephew Lot knew up close (Genesis 19:1-25; 2 Peter 2:6-8).  In fact, homosexual acts are often called “sodomy,” and the action word is “sodomize!”

It appears that Canaan must have stood by, watching his grandfather Noah getting drunk. Wine (or any alcoholic drink in general) often goes hand in hand with illicit sex. A Filipino adage says, “Kapag may alak, may balak!” This can be translated into English roughly as: “Where there is whiskey, there’s a wishy!” or “Where there is beer, there may be a queer!”

Habakkuk 2:15 pronounces: “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness.”

It is, therefore, quite possible that Canaan did not merely see the nakedness of his drunk grandfather Noah, but he actually committed a form of sodomy on him! But Noah became sober enough to see and remember what Canaan had done to him, and thus the curse.

Leviticus 18 and 20 has God instructing His servant Moses to teach the people of Israel about His moral laws, laws regarding sexuality, warning them not to do according to the wicked ways of Egypt and Canaan. Then follows a series of cases of incestuous acts (against close relatives). And these evil sexual acts are declared euphemistically as “to uncover his (or her) nakedness.”

And, of course, there is God’s clear prohibition against homosexual or same-sex relations, in Leviticus 16:22; 20:13, which cannot happen without also uncovering the partner’s nakedness, or the partner becoming naked by himself.  It may possibly have happened that, when Canaan saw his grandfather drunk, he uncovered him and sodomized him! And that may be why Ham saw his father lying naked.

Noah thus justly cursed Canaan for his own abominable offense against his grandfather, not Ham’s merely seeing Noah naked. If Ham had not seen him thus, he could not have told his brothers (who were outside the tent) about it, and they could not have covered him. Why didn’t Ham himself cover his father’s nakedness? The Bible does not tell us. He may have been taken aback, and left it to his brothers to cover the embarrassing situation. And Noah was sober enough not to curse Ham for such a less serious act of disrespect than that of Canaan. Nevertheless, could Ham’s neglect have been a reason why Ham was excluded from Noah’s blessing, which was pronounced only on Shem and Japheth (Genesis 9:26-27)?

 Canaan’s curse

Noah’s curse on Canaan was that his descendants would become servants (even slaves) of the children of Shem and Japheth, whom he thus blessed for covering his nakedness (Genesis 9:25-27). Indeed, those Canaanites whom the children of Israel refused to destroy but allowed to remain alive became Israel’s proverbial “hewers of wood and drawers of water” (Joshua 9:21-27).

Now, there’s nothing evil or bad about being a servant to others.  In fact, Jesus said, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Being a “slave,” on the other hand, implies coercion, and burdensome servitude, as the children of Israel suffered while strangers in Egypt (Exodus 1:1-14, etc.). Spiritually, we can also become slaves to sin (Romans 6:20, “servants” here being from the Greek doulos, meaning slave), and that brings us to bondage and suffering. Jesus came to save us from such slavery, as Moses did the children of Israel from Egypt.

This leaves Ham himself in some kind of “limbo,” although he may have contributed something to the way Canaan turned out to be. Ham was also father to Mizraim (Genesis 10:6), who in turn was the ancestor of the mighty Egyptians (Genesis 50:11), whose archeological footprints betray their own share of homosexuality! Could this perhaps have contributed to why Ham was not included in Noah’s blessing, as mentioned earlier? Only God knows for sure, and He will judge Ham accordingly, and justly!  We could fault Noah, too, for Ham’s moral failings; we could, in fact, trace human sin up the genealogical ladder, to Adam!

Who knows where else the surviving descendants of Canaan may have gone today? If we know where the descendants of Shem and Japheth are today, we might likely find, among their servants and slaves, remnants of the Canaanites! [See, for example: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklet or book titled “The United States and Britain in Prophecy.”]

May this be a stern warning to homosexuals (whatever your race may be) that, if you persist in your attitude and behavior, and do not repent or change to righteous living, you are cursed to become slaves to others, or to your sexual partners and your lusts, and to suffer the eternal consequence of sin.

But the good news: there is sure hope in Jesus Christ for redemption and freedom from our sin and bondage and from the dire consequence: the “lake of fire” or the “second death” and thus being excluded from God’s kingdom (Romans 1:21-27; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 21:8; 22:15; 23:17-18; Deuteromy 23:17-18), “dogs” here meaning abominable “sodomites,” not merely being non-Israelites or uncircumcised (Matthew 15: 21, 26; Galatians 5:15)! See: “The Rainbow Connection,” “The Conversion Therapy Controversy,” “Should Everyone Be Allowed to Be Who They Are?” and “The Carnal Mind.”

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
21062025/02082025

 

 

As I write, I am 83, going on 84, which I will be in December this year. By the time this article is published, I will have been fully 84 years old!

Shortly before his death, Israel’s greatest Old Testament prophet Moses wrote a psalm about aging among “the children of men” (Psalm 90:5-12, NKJV):

In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up,
In the evening it is cut down and withers.

For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance,
For our days are seventy years [KJV, “threescore years and ten”]
And if by strength they are eighty years [KJV, “fourscore”],
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow.
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of Your anger
For the fear of You is Your wrath:
We finish our days like a sigh.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Since the stroke which I suffered in February 2019, I have felt my life to be “only labor and sorrow” (Psalm 90:10)!  Not only that, the wife of my youth, now fully 85, has been suffering from dementia for some years now, a condition some have called “second childhood.” Her younger sister is in the same condition, as is my own elder sister.

“Second childhood” describes a state of super-elderly folks where they are almost totally dependent on other people like a child for such basic physical necessities as bathing oneself, going to the toilet, even being spoon-fed at meals, and being helped with ordinary human movements like sitting down, standing up, walking, going up and down steps, getting down to bed and up, getting dressed or undressed, etc. Some, unable to stand and walk, have to be moved around in a wheelchair, as is the case with my wife, after she broke her hipbone socket from a bad fall.

I thank God that my health has not deteriorated to a point where I need this kind of help. But I do have a caregiver or two to assist me in getting in and out of vehicles, keeping an eye while I take walks, being updated with my medications, driving our car, doing home repairs, etc.

Nevertheless, I feel a sense of me being reduced to a state of dependence on others almost likea child, although not as much as my wife, and others in a condition like hers. This got me to thinking that, perhaps this is part of God’s plan to give old folks a “heart of wisdom” and prepare them to meet their God.

Jesus said: “…unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4). By becoming “as little children,” Christ meant dependence on and trust in God – as children naturally have with their parents. But God also    inspired His prophet Jeremiah to write: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5).

However, this does not mean that God cannot use men [and women, too] to help people in need of help! It’s a matter of priority — who do we look up to first and foremost, and ultimately for our salvation, to help us?

How would God judge those who are in their “second childhood,” or close to it? We can learn from how God judged the people of Israel when they sinned by complaining against Moses, and ultimately God Himself, in the wilderness. The account is recorded in Numbers 14:26-33. Here those who came out of Egypt aged 20 years old and above, except Caleb and Joshua, were excluded from entering the Promised land. Only those below age 20, the ‘little ones,” eventually reached that land (Verses 29-31).

It would then appear that God will judge those in their “second childhood,” or thereabouts, according to their works while, as full-grown adults, they still had full control of their mind and body.  But not now, when they have become “as little children.” [See: “Judged by Our Works.’]

It is a great source of consolation, for those who, in their old age, feel weak and dependent, to ponder the apostle Paul’s testimony, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thus, after all his struggles, Paul could say: “I have fought a good fight.  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness [symbol for everlasting life], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8; compare with 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

We should also be greatly strengthened by the magnificent promise in Romans 8:31-39, that, with Christ’s love, we would be, and are, “more than conquerors” in our struggle with our sins and other challenges, and make it into God’s kingdom.

“…to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (Romans 16:27)!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
18072025/02082025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been the belief of Protestants or evangelicals that our works cannot save or justify us. And their standard weapon or defense is Ephesians 2:8, where the apostle Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Protestants take this to mean that our works, often equated with the keeping of God’s commandments and laws, cannot save us or make us just. Thus, Protestants react negatively whenever the word “law” or “commandment” or “work” is mentioned. They would readily label a person who brings up any of these words as a “legalist,” and the practice as “legalism.” [See: “Just What Do You Mean – Legalism?”]

As some have rightly pointed out, this Protestant interpretation of Scripture minimizes or even overlooks the verse that follows Ephesians 2:8. Verse 9 says: “For we are His [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” [See: “Saved for Good Works.”]

And why are our good works essential to our salvation?

Because our evil works – our sins – have earned all of us the penalty of death for all eternity (Romans 3:23; 6:23).  Unless we receive forgiveness of our sins through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary, this penalty will hang over our head (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7)! “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Paul adds. [See: “The Ransomed of the LORD.”   May this be something for those who observe the non-Biblical Christmas holiday this month of December to ponder about why Christ came into the world as a human Being.]

Thus, as the apostle James [Christ’s half-brother] rightly points out, our faith in Christ should lead us to do good works (James 2:14, 17-20). He famously writes: “Faith without works is dead!” Because this does not line up with his theology, Protestantism’s founder Martin Luther  is said to have wanted James’ epistle to be deleted from the New Testament and the whole Bible, clearly contradicting God’s stern warning in Revelation 22:19 not to add to, or subtract from, God’s written revelation.

Protestantism’s hero, the apostle Paul himself, asks, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin [transgress God’s law – do evil works] that grace may abound?” His resounding answer: “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life [no longer practicing sin or evil works]” (Romans 6:1-4).  Protestants have also overlooked Romans 2:13, which says, “(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified…”

John 5:27-30 clearly shows that, when Jesus Christ returns to judge the earth, He will righteously judge all of mankind according to our works: “…those who have done good, to [obtain] the resurrection of life [everlasting], and those who have done evil, to the resurrection to condemnation [judgment, to take place after Christ’s 1000-year rule on earth (Revelation 20:5, 11-12). [See: “This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation.”] Peter also wrote: “…then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,” (2 Peter 2:9).

Revelation 20:12, 13 reinforces this: “And I saw the dead small and great, standing before God, and the books [Greek, biblia] were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by the things which are written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them, and they were judged according to their works.” Verse 15 concludes: “And anyone not found in the Book of Life [where those who have done good works are listed] was cast into the lake of fire [the “second death,” Verse 14].”

Long before John and Peter, God had inspired Israel’s wisest king, Solomon, to write: “For God will bring every work into judgment, including the secret things [our thoughts and desires], whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

In Verse 13 Solomon wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter [which he had written beforehand]: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is man’s all” [or duty, as some other versions put it]. [See: “Moses and Jesus – Are They Contraries?” and “Can We Fear and Love God at the Same Time?”]

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
11072025/02082025

 

 

 

One of the puzzling Scripture passages is that about Noah cursing Canaan, son of his younger son Ham (Genesis 9:18; 10:6). Earlier, in Genesis 9:21-27, we see a situation where Noah got drunk from wine which he, apparently, had made from his own vineyard. As a result, Noah was found naked (however it happened is not clear). Ham saw him in that condition and told his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, about it (Verse 10). Ham’s brothers then took a garment, robe or tunic and, walking backward to where their father lay so they would not see his nakedness, they covered him.

In Verse 24 we see Noah sobering up from his drunken stupor, and recalling what “his younger son had done to him.” Then suddenly, in Verse 25, we see Noah cursing his grandson Canaan, instead of Ham!

Why did Noah do this, if it was Ham, not Canaan (as far as the text appears to say) who saw him naked?

God’s perfect judgment

Ezekiel 14:14 confirms that Noah was judged by God to be a righteous man, as were Job and Daniel. That is to say that, overall, Noah obeyed God’s law (Psalm 119:172; Genesis 6:8-9), although in a moment of weakness he obviously sinned by becoming drunk (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). We can assume that he repented of that and is assured of his eternal reward (Hebrews 11:7).

Ezekiel 18:20 judges that “…the son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.” This echoes Deuteronomy 24:16, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”

If Ham merely – even unintentionally – saw his father’s nakedness, why did Noah react as strongly as he did?  And why the curse on Canaan instead?

Noah was reacting to a more serious offense done (actively, not just passively, as in merely looking) to him by his “younger son.”  The Hebrew of this phrase, however, can be taken to also mean “grandson.”

Therefore, it appears more likely the case that it was Canaan who did something so grave to his grandfather that it caused him to pronounce a dire curse on Canaan!

A key to understanding this is the principle in God’s second commandment (Exodus 20:4). Here God warns that He will visit the iniquity or sin of the fathers upon the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him. In addition, Jesus’ words “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20) could apply here too.

The sin or iniquity of the fathers visited on the children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren may, in some cases, be a matter of heredity – through the genes. But in more cases, it is the influence – the environment in the family, especially the examples parents set for their children, and other factors – through which the descendants’ traits of personality and behavior are shaped.  As a saying puts it, children often learn more from what is “caught” than what is “taught – especially in terms of attitudes and perspectives!  In our times today the “Media” has also played a big part in the development of our youth, not to forget the influence of the church and school and friends, too.

If we examine the iniquity or sin of Canaan’s early descendants (his “fruits”), we may have a clue to Canaan’s sin, for which Noah cursed him. Genesis 10:19 says, the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.”

The infamous people of Sodom and Gomorrah, therefore, apparently descended from Canaan (the “tree” on which the “fruits” grew)! And they are historically notorious for their homosexual excesses, as Abraham’s nephew Lot knew up close (Genesis 19:1-25; 2 Peter 2:6-8).  In fact, homosexual acts are often called “sodomy,” and the action word is “sodomize!”

It appears that Canaan must have stood by, watching his grandfather Noah getting drunk. Wine (or any alcoholic drink in general) often goes hand in hand with illicit sex. A Filipino adage says, “Kapag may alak, may balak!” This can be translated into English roughly as: “Where there is whiskey, there’s a wishy!” or “Where there is beer, there may be a queer!”

Habakkuk 2:15 pronounces: “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness.”

It is, therefore, quite possible that Canaan did not merely see the nakedness of his drunk grandfather Noah, but he actually committed a form of sodomy on him! But Noah became sober enough to see and remember what Canaan had done to him, and thus the curse.

Leviticus 18 and 20 has God instructing His servant Moses to teach the people of Israel about His moral laws, laws regarding sexuality, warning them not to do according to the wicked ways of Egypt and Canaan. Then follows a series of cases of incestuous acts (against close relatives). And these evil sexual acts are declared euphemistically as “to uncover his (or her) nakedness.”

And, of course, there is God’s clear prohibition against homosexual or same-sex relations, in Leviticus 16:22; 20:13, which cannot happen without also uncovering the partner’s nakedness, or the partner becoming naked by himself.  It may possibly have happened that, when Canaan saw his grandfather drunk, he uncovered him and sodomized him! And that may be why Ham saw his father lying naked.

Noah thus justly cursed Canaan for his own abominable offense against his grandfather, not Ham’s merely seeing Noah naked. If Ham had not seen him thus, he could not have told his brothers (who were outside the tent) about it, and they could not have covered him. Why didn’t Ham himself cover his father’s nakedness? The Bible does not tell us. He may have been taken aback, and left it to his brothers to cover the embarrassing situation. And Noah was sober enough not to curse Ham for such a less serious act of disrespect than that of Canaan. Nevertheless, could Ham’s neglect have been a reason why Ham was excluded from Noah’s blessing, which was pronounced only on Shem and Japheth (Genesis 9:26-27)?

 Canaan’s curse

Noah’s curse on Canaan was that his descendants would become servants (even slaves) of the children of Shem and Japheth, whom he thus blessed for covering his nakedness (Genesis 9:25-27). Indeed, those Canaanites whom the children of Israel refused to destroy but allowed to remain alive became Israel’s proverbial “hewers of wood and drawers of water” (Joshua 9:21-27).

Now, there’s nothing evil or bad about being a servant to others.  In fact, Jesus said, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Being a “slave,” on the other hand, implies coercion, and burdensome servitude, as the children of Israel suffered while strangers in Egypt (Exodus 1:1-14, etc.). Spiritually, we can also become slaves to sin (Romans 6:20, “servants” here being from the Greek doulos, meaning slave), and that brings us to bondage and suffering. Jesus came to save us from such slavery, as Moses did the children of Israel from Egypt.

This leaves Ham himself in some kind of “limbo,” although he may have contributed something to the way Canaan turned out to be. Ham was also father to Mizraim (Genesis 10:6), who in turn was the ancestor of the mighty Egyptians (Genesis 50:11), whose archeological footprints betray their own share of homosexuality! Could this perhaps have contributed to why Ham was not included in Noah’s blessing, as mentioned earlier? Only God knows for sure, and He will judge Ham accordingly, and justly!  We could fault Noah, too, for Ham’s moral failings; we could, in fact, trace human sin up the genealogical ladder, to Adam!

Who knows where else the surviving descendants of Canaan may have gone today? If we know where the descendants of Shem and Japheth are today, we might likely find, among their servants and slaves, remnants of the Canaanites! [See, for example: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklet or book titled “The United States and Britain in Prophecy.”]

May this be a stern warning to homosexuals (whatever your race may be) that, if you persist in your attitude and behavior, and do not repent or change to righteous living, you are cursed to become slaves to others, or to your sexual partners and your lusts, and to suffer the eternal consequence of sin.

But the good news: there is sure hope in Jesus Christ for redemption and freedom from our sin and bondage and from the dire consequence: the “lake of fire” or the “second death” and thus being excluded from God’s kingdom (Romans 1:21-27; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 21:8; 22:15, “dogs” here meaning abominable “sodomites,” not merely being non-Israelites or uncircumcised (Matthew 15: 21, 26; Galatians 5:15)! See: “The Rainbow Connection,” “The Conversion Therapy Controversy,” “Should Everyone Be Allowed to Be Who They Are?” and “The Carnal Mind.”

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
21062025/29062025

 

As most of mainstream Christianity celebrates “All Saints’ Day” and “All Souls’ Day” late this year 2025, I thought it would be timely to review what the apostle Paul wrote to the brethren or saints in Philippi: “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better [for Paul, this meant his sure reward of everlasting life]. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh [to be still physically alive] is needful for you [so he could see more  ‘fruit from my labor,’ Verse 22].”

From this Scripture passage, mainstream Christians have believed and taught that, at death, our supposed “immortal soul” departs from our body, and goes to “be with Christ” [or the Lord], who is now in heaven. Thus, the common belief is that such dead Christians somehow can look down from their heavenly place and have some contact with their living loved ones here on earth.

What does the “whole counsel of God” [as Paul declared, in Acts 20:27] tell us about this matter?

Having been well-trained in the Old Testament teachings, Paul fully understood that it was his “spirit,” of which he wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:11, that – at death — would return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)). And, as one assured of his salvation in Christ, Paul believed that his spirit would join the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven” – the assembly of “the spirits of just men made perfect” (|Hebrews 12:23). [See: “What Happens to Man After Death?” This explains that we human beings do not have an “immortal soul.” See also: “The Book of Life.” This explains that, at death, the spirits of those who are unjust or not yet saved or made perfect in Christ join a different “assembly” –also somewhere in heaven – to await their judgment at the end of the ages.]

Paul desired to “depart” from his fleshly body [to die] at that point in his ministry. But, because the brethren in the church in Corinth had a number of spiritual issues, which he addressed in both his letters to them, he felt it was more needful for him to remain alive so that he could continue to help them become fruitful in the Spirit of God.  Paul would have taught them about the “fruit” of that Spirit, as he did with the brethren in Galatia (Galatians 5:22-26).

On “All Souls’ Day” Roman Catholics especially light candles at the graveside of their loved ones who they believe are in “purgatory” and offer prayers that these departed ones would eventually move from there to heaven.  [See: “This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation.”]

How reassuring that indeed God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and be saved!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
14112025/25102025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I write, I had just begun my second round of cover-to-cover reading of my NKJV Bible for the year. After going through Genesis 8 and 9, I suddenly came up with a number of questions I had never asked before. Neither had I encountered similar questions, in the many years I served as the WCG (Worldwide Church of God) Regional Office’s main “personal correspondent,” that it was my duty and privilege to answer. [See: “Just Like Peter – Part 2,” section “A lifeline is dropped,” paragraphs 17-18.]

Question #1: How could the birds of the air have all died when God made it rain on the earth 40 days and 40 nights, resulting in a worldwide flood to destroy extremely corrupt and violent mankind in Noah’s day (Genesis 7:12, etc.)?  When the birds saw Noah’s ark floating as the flood waters rose, would they not have found it natural or instinctive to alight on the roof of the ark for safety?  Even if there was not enough room there for all the birds, at least a good number of them would have found a spot, even if they had to jostle and fight for it.

I pondered how I would answer the person who might ask about Genesis 7:21-22 (emphasis mine) —

 

And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both men and cattle, creeping things and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth.

 

• Forty days and nights being soaked in the rain would have caused the birds to experience extreme cold – hypothermia. If this did not kill them, something else would.
• Birds have a very fast metabolism. This means that they need to eat every now and again in order to survive. Without food for 40 days, they would have starved to death! Unlike them, the birds inside the ark had food aplenty (Genesis 6:21).
• Could aquatic birds, like penguins, have survived because they could find food in the water, and survive extreme cold? Even if they could find food, they would have to be always on the water, and possibly over-fatigue would kill them, because there was no land on which they could rest, as is their natural habitat.
• Even if predatory birds, like eagles, preyed on the smaller, milder birds and ate their flesh or the corpses of birds that had died earlier, these predatory birds’ food supply would not last 40 days and, in the end, they would still have died from starvation, if not from hypothermia.

Question #2: After the flood had subsided, and Noah and all those with him in the ark went out to dry land, Genesis 8:20 says: “And Noah began to be a farmer and he planted a vineyard.”

How could Noah have planted a grape vine, if all herbaceous and similar plants probably died after they had been soaked during the 40 days of rain, and the flood waters that prevailed for 140 days (Genesis 7:24)?  True, the sturdier plants like trees evidently survived, as Genesis 8:11 shows that the dove which Noah released the second time came back with a “freshly plucked olive leaf” in its beak. But would this have been the same with the less sturdy grape vine?

• As, apparently, a  wine enthusiast (Genesis 9:21), and a farmer besides, Noah could have brought with him into the ark grape seeds or cuttings of the grape vine, and placed these latter in a jar of water to survive all the 190 days in the ark. Who knows if he could even have had a grape seedling or more with him?
• After the flood, the earth would have been covered with tons of debris from dead bodies and plants. How could Noah have planted a vineyard in such an environment? If Noah had grape seeds or seedlings, he could have kept them until the soil was ready. Let’s not forget that God is able to heal the land (2 Kings 20:3) in His miraculous ways!

Question #3: When Noah began to be a farmer (Genesis 9:20), he surely did not just plant a vineyard, but also grains, fruits, and vegetables for daily sustenance. Where did he get the seeds or stocks for these?

• Noah could have been inspired by God to store up such seeds and stocks as they would need for planting after the flood. There is today a “Project Noah’s Ark” which seeks to preserve seeds of food and other essential plants inside a frozen cave for cold storage, so that future generations that would survive the much-feared coming worldwide holocaust might have resource to grow food again after “the dust settles.” Doesn’t this show that people today think as Noah might have thought?
• Could not God just command or say the word again, as He did in Genesis 1:11-12, and grass (including grain food), herbs, fruit trees, etc. would spring up? “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37)!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
19062025/28062025

 

 

In my previous article [“Just Like Peter – Part 1”] I wrote about my Peter-like experience of God’s quick intervention as a young child.  In this present article I will recount a similar experience I had several years later.

This happened when I was doing a masteral course in anthropology at my alma mater – the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman Quezon City. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in sociology there, I decided to proceed to graduate studies in this related field.

What drove me to take it up was my curiosity to discover where the Filipino and related races may have originated from, centuries before what our history books detail.  In fact, I wanted to find out where, in the Bible, our race may be alluded to. This, after I had read eye-opening literature from the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) about the origin of races. I thought that anthropology might provide more clues.

While enrolled, to augment my funds, I also worked as a research assistant in UP’s Community Development Research Council (UPCDRC). I chose to study some aspects of the community next-door to the campus – barrio Cruz-na-Ligas, a popular and convenient research target by UP and other college students or researchers.

At this time, I had become converted from Protestant UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) to WCG [see: “About the Author”]. As such, I became a devout keeper of the seventh-day Sabbath, which is the 24-hour period from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

As it happened, I was ordered by the council to make a progress report on my research, which I hoped I could also somehow use for my graduate course. The meeting for this was scheduled on a Friday, about mid-afternoon. I had not disclosed to the council my Sabbath observance, and I hoped my report would be over before sunset that day. The council convened in a room in the College of Education Building.  The elderly council chairman, however, arrived late for the meeting, so we started just minutes before sunset!

As you can imagine, I was in a quandary when I began my report. I was fidgeting in my shoes as I observed my watch and the wall clock ticking to about six o’clock! Noticing my unease, some council member asked why I was apparently unfocused in my reporting. I had to confess to the council then that I was a devout observer of the seventh-day Sabbath, and my religious duty did not want me to violate it.  I then asked to be allowed to leave, with my report unfinished.

One council member, my former psychology professor, told me, “You are in a fix!” I was made to choose between my job and my religion.  I wholeheartedly chose my religion! I learned later that the council had terminated my employment for unsatisfactory performance.

I left the meeting in a huff.  It was well past sunset, and I had violated God’s holy Sabbath day! Guilt and remorse overtook me and, with great pain in heart, I went out to a nearby open field behind the University Library.  And there I wept bitterly for having disobeyed my God and Savior, my King!

A lifeline is dropped

As a WCG member, I related my story to then director of the WCG Regional Office [formerly called “Ambassador College Agency” to cloak the office’s religious nature], Arthur W. Docken, who was also pastor of the WCG Manila congregation, which I attended. When I told him about how I “wept bitterly,” he said, “Just like Peter!” – my inspiration for this article duo. [That’s about the time when the disciple/apostle Peter had denied his Lord three times, and then a rooster crowed as Jesus predicted. Then Peter went outside and there wept bitterly (see especially Luke 22:54-62).]

I told Mr. Docken that I was fired from my job as researcher, because my Sabbath-observance kept me from finishing my report to the council and for not showing a satisfactory performance. Sensing my earnest desire to repent and obey God, he then thought of a way I could have some money for my personal upkeep. Having learned that I was a researcher, he offered for me to write a research paper on any worthwhile subject I was keenly interested in, and the church would pay me for it.

Immediately I volunteered to research on the possible Biblical origin of the Filipino and related races. I had to start almost from scratch, and happily the University Library had some historical books and other “antiquities” literature to help.

As a result, I wrote a several-paged paper that suggested the possible origins of the Filipino and related races as traceable to a people that I “stumbled” upon, and who are mentioned once only, vaguely, in the prophecy of Jeremiah 51:27, which lists a certain kingdom of Minni. I believe, though, that God inspired me in this research, as I had prayed!

So, I focused my studies on this kingdom.  By some coincidence, Hasting’s history book devoted some comments on this kingdom, which was also called Mannai. It was originally located somewhere around the Middle East area.

I took a cue from Ambassador College history professor Dr. Herman L. Hoeh, who had traced the origin of the human races through names of places and people which could indicate some possible connection.

An interesting detail in Hasting’s history about the Minni/Mannai caught my attention: that kingdom was populous but a weak one, often conquered and subjugated by larger and more powerful kingdoms.

This led me to conclude that perhaps the people of Minni/Mannai may have later dispersed to other parts of the world, such as Asia-Pacific and the Americas, where we find people who have been subject to being conquered and colonized by more powerful European nations.  How like the Philippines!

I noticed that in the Philippines there are several places and personal names that bear the prefix “Man-” or “Min-” – Manila, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manticao, Mandurriao, Manay (!), Mindoro, Mindanao, etc.; and tribal names – Manobo, Mandaya. Also, many family names – Manubay, Manalo, Manapat, Manlulu, Maninang, Manansala, Mancebo, Manalili, Manangan, etc.

In other places there are Mandalay (Burma/Myanmar), Manchuria (Asia), Mangolore (India), Manhattan, Minnesota, Minneapolis (USA), Manitoba (Canada), Isle of Man, Manchester (Britain), Mandan Indians (North and Latin America).  Could there be other similar places? These are places where the original inhabitants were later colonized by the US or the UK, Spain, or even China.

That the Filipinos are probably related to the Indians of the Americas, could explain why the Spanish colonists, condescendingly, called the Filipinos “indios.” Interestingly, Mr. Docken related that, when he and his family first set foot in the country his second daughter saw Filipinos for the first time at the airport, and in her child’s innocence and candor, she remarked, “Look at all those Indians!” The “Minni/Mannai” connection of both races may be a clue!

I found a connection between Jeremiah 51:27 and Joel 3:10, where weak nations will be counted among the hordes that will descend upon the end-time world superpower soon to arise in Europe (symbolically called “Babylon”) in a climactic battle that will bring all the world’s armies to “the valley of decision” (Verse 14).  This is the end-time battle (often called “Armageddon” but correctly “The Battle of that Great Day of God Almighty,” Revelation 16:14), whose ground will be Jerusalem and environs (Revelation 16:14-16; 14:14-16; Zechariah 14:2).  Revelation 9:4-6 connects with Revelation 16:12 to show that the “kings [or kingdoms] from the east and their armies would add up to 200 million strong and will kill a third of mankind, shortly before Christ returns to earth in great power and glory (Revelation 19:11-16,19).

Is it a mere coincidence that less-developed countries tend to have higher birth rates and larger populations? It is therefore possible that these countries would contribute a considerable share of soldiers to that horde from the east?  Of course, there are the billion-some population China and India, along with Russia—all from the east — that can offer technical/material leadership to these soldiers to battle against the end-time “Babylon” – a political-religious colossus that will soon hold much of the world in its sway. [See: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklet titled “Who Is the Beast?’.]

In any case, I submitted my paper to our headquarters at Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, USA, for Dr. Hoeh to comment on it. But I never heard from him about it at all, and he is now dead.

Nevertheless, my paper made a positive impression on Mr. Docken, who commented that “You have a good command of English.” I credit that to my family genes and influence — my mom was a teacher of English grammar and literature; my dad was a lawyer (and a good writer as well), and both graduated from the original UP in Manila.

Mr. Docken then included me on the payroll of the WCG office, starting as a reader of mail coming from the audience of the church’s radio and TV program “The World Tomorrow” and readers of the PLAIN TRUTH Magazine and our other free literature who requested further literature, or had questions about the WCG’s teachings, sending their requests to our Mailing Department or to the Letter Answering Department (LAD).

After a few months, because of my English proficiency and apt understanding, Mr. Docken elevated me to the LAD, which was later changed to PCD (Personal Correspondence Department). In the next several years I was the PCD’s mainstay, with Mr. Docken and his successors standing by to see to it that I wrote according to church doctrines in reply to those who queried.

I found my job as “personal correspondent” for the WCG office very fulfilling! I received letters of appreciation and thanks from those I helped with their questions, Biblical or general.

Not known nor expected by me, but more important, I was being prepared by God to later become a writer and editor of WCG’s local publications, and eventually to be ordained an elder, a preaching elder and, later, pastor.  My work, aided by my college education and mental ability, and (not the least) God’s Holy Spirit, gave me years of deeper and broader understanding of humanity, our world, and spiritual matters.

All these were essential in preparing me for my ultimate work and ministry as writer and editor of this website you are logged on to this minute!

I believe that in all these, my “Just Like Peter” experiences were a vital catalyst!

 

Pedro R, Meléndez, Jr.
18062025/02082025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Pedro, which I got from my father, who was Pedro, Senior. Of course, Pedro is the Spanish (also Filipino) for the English Peter, the Latin Petrus, the Italian Pietro, the French Pierre, and the Russian Pitr or Petr. In more cases than one, I have vivid memories of incidences early and later in my 80+-some years of life where I experienced some divine intervention like what happened to Jesus Christ’s chief apostle Simon Peter, as recorded in Matthew 14:22-33 (NKJV, throughout):

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent the multitude away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.

Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea [Lake of Galilee or Gennesaret], tossed by the waves, for the wind was contraryNow in the fourth watch of the night [about 10:00 pm] Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come!” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the sea to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him,
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

The impulsive Peter was gung-ho about walking on water as Jesus miraculously did. But his faith faded as soon as he observed the boisterous wind [and the tempestuous waves too]. Then he began to sink, and cried out to Jesus to help. Instantly Jesus saved him, but not without a loving rebuke.

My own Peter-like experience happened when I was about 5 or 6 years old. No, I didn’t walk on water! Rather, this is what happened.

Growing up in a Protestant family, I enjoyed not only the fellowship and Sunday school of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Cagayan de Oro City (CdO) on the southern island of Mindanao. I had lived there since 1946 up till I graduated from college. I have since lived around far-away Metro Manila, on the country’s largest northern island Luzon.

So then, it was a church outing, where I went along with my family and many church friends. The place chosen was a seaside beach in a barangay or barrio called Baloy.  As I was to find out, the beach there was very much unlike that of a barrio closer from home, Lapasan, where the sandy beach extended to over 50 meters from the shore, and we kids could merrily wade and romp in water from leg-deep to waist-deep. On the other hand, Baloy beach was what Visayans would call “cantilado” – cantilevered. From the shore or bank the seawater suddenly dropped off to a depth anywhere from chest-deep to well above the head.

I don’t know why our church leaders had chosen Baloy over other beaches. They should have known the peril its beach presented to young children and non-swimmers, like I was then. They, apparently, had not considered it and did not post lifeguards in case anyone came into trouble with the sea.

So, there I was, a no-swimmer – like the proverbial Clementine’s lover – daring to go it alone into the Baloy waters. My family members and others were seemingly too engrossed in their own activities to notice me. Totally clueless about the nature of Baloy beach being unlike that of Lapasan, which I frequented as a kid, I jumped into the water.  Alas, to my great shock, my feet did not land on sand! Instead, I sank deep until the water was well above my head!  I panicked and was flailing, and I swallowed quite a bit of seawater! I felt like I was going to drown and die. Immediately I thought a loud cry (no voice, with water in my mouth), “God, save me!”

I am sure God heard my unvoiced cry for help [what an awesome God we have!], and He quickly sent a strong wave! It pushed me close to shore, and I clambered up and out to safety.

Such a child’s prayer of faith was to be exercised shortly later. I was still in elementary grade when, for the first time, I heard the alarming news that a fire was raging in the heart of the then town. Though our rented home was quite some distance, it was close enough for us to see the threatening flame and billowing smoke. I suddenly tugged at my younger sister and brother, and told them, “Let’s pray!” We went down on our knees and, with a child’s true faith, I prayed to God to save us from the fire.

After a few minutes, we saw that the fire had been put out, thanks to the Municipal Fire Department’s quick response.  And, of course, thanks to God’s response to our simple prayer!

I guess, the moral here is for government officials or private owners to be careful to post signs or notices about possible dangers in places like Baloy beach. And they should provide lifeguards on the watch for possible accidents, and trained first-aiders and emergency facilities.  And parents, too – keep a watchful eye on your kids! And to kids, and even older children, consider going with a swimming buddy who can help you in case of trouble in the water (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

But, in any case, let’s never forget to call the best “911 rescue center” – the heavens, where the living and Almighty God and Savior is ever ready, willing and able to send timely help to those who cry out earnestly and humbly to Him! Hallelujah, Amen!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
19062025/02082025

 

 

In my previous article [“Holy, Holy, Holy!”] I alluded to the 1960s movie about the love life of the classical piano music composer Franz Liszt, “Song Without End.”

Aficionados of great classical music claim that the excellent quality of classical music makes it “immortal” – music without end. Music that people enjoy decades, even centuries, after the composer has died.

But can any piece of music composed by man really survive until eternity? Revelation 4:8 describes a vision of angelic beings [seraphim] saying a praise to the Lord God Almighty, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” “without resting day and night.” The prolonged sound of the words may well turn out to be a song, one we might call “immortal” – “song without end.”

A great British poet said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Beautiful music is one such thing.  And how it comes to be composed is a mystery of some sort. For a while, men thought that some spiritual “muse” or goddess of music inspired composers to create their music.

Exodus 31:1-11 records how God put wisdom in the hearts of all gifted artisans to design and execute works which God desired to be made for His tabernacle and later, His temple.  Could God have put similar wisdom in the appointed singers and musicians in His temple (2 Chronicles 5:12-13)?

Let’s take the case of the time-honored oratorio “The Messiah,” made by German composer Georg Frederic Handel. The oratorio is of such an excellent quality that choral groups all over the world perform it year after year.  The appeal is not only due to the majestic music but also the lyrics. Someone remarked that it must have taken God’s Spirit to inspire the lyricist to put together the passages of the Holy Bible that pertain to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Could it be possible that God would preserve this oratorio for all eternity – to be enjoyed by the divine family of God forever?

What about the other great oratorios – Felix Mendelssohn’s “The Elijah” and “Saint Paul,” and Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Saint Matthew’s Passion?”

Whatever the truth may be, one thing is for sure: God’s word abides forever (Isaiah 40:6-8; 1 Peter 1:25). And, being a part of God’s word, the Book of Psalms – songs of praise to the LORD God Almighty – will surely remain and endure forever.  When their composers — Israel’s King David and the temple choirmasters – are resurrected, they can show us how these psalms or songs were sung originally.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to hear these magnificent “oldies?”

God will also inspire new songs to be sung in His praise, as He did when He laid the foundation of the earth and “the morning stars [symbolic of angels, Revelation 1:20] sang together, and all the sons of God [angels individually created but not begotten, Hebrews 1:4-6] shouted for joy” (Job 38:4-7). A joyous or joyful sound, a shout– even “noise!” (Psalms 66:1; 81:1;1-2; 98:4-5; 100:1, KJV) – is often musical, a form of song.

Revelation 14:3 says that the redeemed 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:3-6) will sing a “new song” before the [Father’s] throne, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders.

Isaiah 35:10 says, “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”  This verse, in part, must have inspired the song [for Tenor] “Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth” in Mendelssohn’s “The Elijah.”

Many in the Book of Psalms, in fact, has God commanding, or His people/creation vowing, to sing to Him or about Him songs, new and old, for who He is and what He has done.  See: Psalms 31, 66-69, 71, 84, 89, 92, 95-96, 98, 100, 105-106, 138, 147, and 149.

This does not mean that the immortal children of God will have nothing to do for all eternity but sing God’s praises.  There will be much work to do in order to finish the “project” of beautifying the whole vast universe – God’s plan to “plant the heavens” (Isaiah 51:16) – when God will “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).  But because of the “everlasting joy” in the minds and hearts of God’s divine family, there will always be divine music for all to enjoy. One goal people strive for is to make working so enjoyable that it would look and feel not like a task or chore but like playing or having fun!  “Whistle While You Work” is a song that may well say it.

What a joyful future awaits in God’s everlasting kingdom, where there are “pleasures forevermore” in God’s right hand (Psalm 16:11)!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
24052025/28062025

 

 

 

 

As one born into a Protestant or evangelical family [see: “About the Author”], I grew up singing the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy!” at church. With it I also grew up believing in a “God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity” – one “Holy” each for the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit [or the Holy Ghost, as some ancient benediction calls it, or “Him” as trinitarians refer to that Spirit].

The hymn claims to reflect Revelation 4:8, which records a vision of “four living creatures, each having six wings [angelic beings called “seraphim,” Isaiah 6:2], saying “Holy, Holy, Holy” of the “Lord God Almighty” or the “Lord of Hosts.”

Thus, the three “Holies” have come to be associated with and believed in and taught by mainstream “Christianity” as the “three-in-one” or “triune” God.

Since I became a member of the Worldwide Church of God, I no longer believe in the Trinity. I have discussed lengthily the matter of the trinity in my article “The Trinity Doctrine Reconsidered,” which would I encourage you to read and study, if you have not already done so.  There just is no real proof in the Bible that God is a trinity!

Going back to Revelation 4:9, we will see clearly what the three “Holies” really refer to: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”

This is the real “Song Without End” [the title of a 1960s movie about the music of the well-loved composer Franz Liszt].  As the same verse says, the seraphim “do not rest day or night” saying their praise, which they may as well have sung without end.

What makes the Lord God Almighty three times “Holy” is that He was, and is, and is to come – the three dimensions of time: yesterday, today and tomorrow – past, present, and future.

Revelation 1:10; 22:12 shows Jesus Christ declaring Himself to be “the Alpha and the Omega” [the beginning and end of the Greek alphabet, as in the English A and Z]. Revelation 1:17-18 continues: “I am the first and the last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore.”   This echoes Isaiah 41:4: “I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last I am He.”

Hebrews 12:9 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Malachi 3:6 speaks about God’s enduring mercies: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” [See: “What Does God Mean – ‘I Do Not Change?’”]

Thus, the “three-ness” of God does not concern His supposed “three-in-one” nature or personhood as trinitarians believe and teach. Rather, it describes God’s eternal nature.  As the Jewish-inspired hymn says in praise of the God of Abraham: “Who was, and is, and is to be, and still the same.”  It is He who is “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

 

Pedro R. Melendez, Jr.
24052024/01062024