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The Key to Unlocking Spiritual Literacy

To acquire scientific literacy, most people would study in colleges and universities to earn their degree. That is how they learn science. Acquiring spiritual literacy, however, is a different case. To unlock the spiritual, one would need a key that is not found in universities.

When we speak of “key,” a few things come into mind: lock and door. A key, literally speaking, is a small metal tool cut into a special shape to fit into a lock and move its bolt. It is used to open doors or drawers, or things that one needs to have an access to. Normally, a person does not lock anything unless there’s something important in it privy to a few trusted people.

There are many aspects in life, aside from the physical, in which a key can be useful. In literary writing, a reader may need a key in understanding the author’s thoughts and feelings whenever they are expressed with certain depth and complexity. Take, for example, the sonnets of William Shakespeare. A person unlearned of Shakespearean language may not find sense in his sonnets. To poets, however, deciphering their meaning may be quite easy.

Here is one of Shakespeare’s sonnets that has earned numerous commentaries:

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Considered by many to be beautifully constructed, what does this poem mean? To someone who has not the key to understanding the language of Shakespeare, or to breaking the code into which his thoughts are hidden, to him the meaning of this poem is locked. Even with experts, their analyses differ from one another. Some say Shakespeare speaks here of absolute love; others of marriage service; still others say Shakespeare had not made the best choice of words.

Whatever the case may be, it remains a fact that Shakespeare is the author of this poem, and he has a definite message in it. Anyone can make his own analysis and commentary, but it cannot change the intended meaning of the author. However, Shakespeare was not just a poet; he was also a human being. No matter how great a poet he was, his poems were still subject to human error. In his own words: “If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.” This suggests that even if his definition of love is proven to be wrong, he will not accept it; believing that a man can only truly love if he loves with a love that conforms to his definition.

If a man needs a key to understanding words which are subject to error, how much more a key is needed to understanding words that are spiritual? God, as Author of the Bible, has a definite meaning to His words. He has a definite message. And because His words are not subject to error, unlocking the message behind them requires no human analysis.

bible2

Image courtesy of spiritinyou.net

With approximately six billion copies sold worldwide, the Bible remains the best-selling book of all time—yet only a few people truly understand it. Numerous critics and scholars have devoted their time studying its pages, but most of them get lost in the meaning of the verses even more. Without the key, they could not unlock the Truth in the scriptures, hence they remain spiritually illiterate.

Proof that not everyone who reads the Bible understands it, religions proliferated. If leaders of religious groups understood the Truth in God’s words, why do their gods differ? The god of the Roman Catholic Church, according to Catholic Encyclopedia, is embodied in the Godhead, which consists of three Persons that “are co-eternal and co-equal. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.” This is the Catholic doctrine of Trinity—absent in the Holy Scriptures.

The Scriptures says, in John 14:28

“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said that His Father is greater than Him. He did not say that they are co-equal.

On the other hand, the god of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), a religious sect founded in the Philippines by the late Felix Y. Manalo, is entirely different. The begotten son of their god, unlike that of the catholic, is a mere man, not a God. In their official magazine, Pasugo, published on January 1964, on page 13, it says:

untitled2

...

TRANSLATION:

MAN is also the state of being of our Lord Jesus Christ in His coming on the day of judgment. His state of being does not change. He never became a God! A MAN he was born, a MAN he grew up and preached, a MAN he resurrected, a MAN he went up to heaven, a MAN he sits at the right hand of God in heaven, and a MAN he shall come again.

Between the Roman Catholic Church and the Iglesia Ni Cristo, several things are possible: Either one of them is correct, the other is wrong; or both of them are wrong. It cannot be that both of them are correct. Equivalently, it would mean that either one of them has the key, or neither; it cannot be that both of them have the key. And since the doctrine of Trinity of the Roman Catholic Church contradicts that of the Bible, that gives us the chance to consider other choices. Unfortunately, the christ of the Iglesia Ni Cristo is a mere man, and is biblically not qualified to be the begotten Son of God. In I John 5:20, it says -

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

This leaves our choices lessened by two.

Failure to understand the true message of the Scriptures prompted many to invent their own keys. Some invented codes allegedly found inside or outside the Bible: one is The Bible Code; another is Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code.

In the Bible Code, they say that there is a letter-by-letter sequence in some biblical texts in the original Hebrew language. They use methods such as the Equidistant Letter Sequences (ESL) to decipher biographical information about famous rabbis that are allegedly encrypted or encoded in the Hebrew text. Here is an example of how their Bible Code works:

code_de_la_bible

Image courtesy of crossingwallstreet.com

Looks like a crossword puzzle, isn’t it? You can actually do this even with Harry Potter books. Some already tried it with Moby Dick. It worked.

The Da Vinci Code, on the other hand, is a masterfully written stupidity. Fibonacci sequence and a few pieces of history put together into an incredibly ugly collage does not make Dan Brown any better than a crackpot. It is evident that he made a lot of research to write such a complex lie and anti-biblical fiction. Yes, fiction it is, and it qualifies as the new Book of Mormons—such a waste of time to read.

If one holds the key, he can open what is closed. Anything that is closed is not closed to him who has the key. It will only be closed to him if he rejects the key. This is what Bro. Eliseo Soriano, Presiding Minister of the Members Church of God International, said in their weekly Thanksgiving Day held 11 October 2008 at the Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Convention Center in Pampanga, Philippines. The topic he discussed: The Key of the Open Book, but Closed to Him who Rejects the Key According to the Bible.

Bro. Eli, host of the 25-year running religious television program Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), explained that the Bible is both an open and a closed book. To him who has the key, it is open; to him who hasn’t, it is closed. And the key of the Bible is the seeing eyes given by God.

The Bible is a portrait of a beautiful thing that others did not see, because their eyes are different. In the Church of God, we have eyes given by God; seven eyes that see all the goodness of God in us. In the Bible, what we have seen is the righteousness of God, His love, longsuffering, forgiveness, mercy, grace and all His goodness. The Bible was opened to us because God willed to give us the key.

To unlock the Bible, one needs the key. It is not by man’s own efforts or college degree that he would understand the Bible and attain spiritual literacy, but by God’s will. Unless God, the Author of the Bible, open a man’s eye and give him the key to the Truth written in His Book, to him the Bible will remain closed and locked.

The proof that one has the key, he sees in the Bible what all others do not.

  1. December 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm | #1

    Don’t you think that those so-called pastors, evangelists, reverends, and other religious leaders (insert any other glorifying titles here) nowadays must also have some kind of a ‘key’? ‘Cause if not, then why were they able to start their own “successful” religion with lots of followers using that same Holy Book?

    Ok, I’ll just make a guess here.

    What they probably have are ‘wrong keys’ that doesn’t fit to unlock those mysteries and parables of the Bible. (Should that explain why their Bibles are always closed under their armpits?) :)

    Though guessing and gut feelings will not ensure the salvation of anyone (including me), I must admit that we all need someone to unlock those deep meanings for us.

    Besides, God usually sends messengers to convey His messages to people, right? Uhm, like in the time of Noah, Abraham, the early prophets, Moses, John the Baptist, then His Son Jesus and the apostles like Paul.

    While it’s true that not all people have believed in what these messengers have said, God’s words were still received by the chosen few people.

    If this certain Bro. Eli Soriano is really able to expose the mysteries of the Bible with ease and certainty, then he must have the ‘right key’, right? And God, the author of the Bible must have given that to him.

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    addherent,

    It does seem so, that most religious leaders today have the ‘wrong keys’ that is why they could not unlock what needs to be understood from the Bible. Imagine having named a church after the Roman Empire, the same Empire that imposed the capital punishment of crucifixion on the Lord Jesus Christ!

    Really incredible.

    Anyway, regarding Bro. Eli Soriano, I guess there’s only one way to test him if he does have the ‘right key.’ You have to hear him speak the words of God. That is the only way. And you’ll be surprised that what you’ve heard from your preachers for 10 years, 20 years, 30 or 40 years, will not amount to even half an hour of hearing Bro. Eli speak.

  2. Governor Pops
    December 23, 2008 at 3:12 am | #2

    I think that pastors nowadays are not deserving enough to be called as keys… for me they were considered as footbolts that hinder people in arriving at the truth. Well looking at it, the compilation of Scriptures became their bread and butter. The more they utilize each page, the more they earn money – to suffice the needs and wants of their families and most especially, their VICES. Having been in this world for almost several decades, I still have this question in mind, “DO PEOPLE REALLY THINK WHY THEY NEED TO CONTRIBUTE MONEY TO THEIR PASTORS WHO ACTUALLY BURN PACKS OF CIGAR EACH DAY AND WHO DRINK $$$$ COST OF LIQUOR – With their eyes WIDE OPEN?”

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    Governor Pops,

    I must agree with your observation, that pastors nowadays are not deserving to be called “keys”. And just like you didn’t say ALL, I wouldn’t say ALL pastors are not deserving.

    It is true that “the compilation of Scriptures became their bread and butter.” It’s written in II Corinthians 2:17 -

    For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

    You see, Apostle Paul said “For we are not as many,” therefore, there really are many which corrupt the word of God. But Paul didn’t say “For ALL corrupt the word of God.” No.

    It is not logical that God would allow all preachers to be of the devil. There must be at least one, as it was from generation to generation, a preacher of God who speaks the truth.

    Your question, “DO PEOPLE REALLY THINK WHY THEY NEED TO CONTRIBUTE MONEY TO THEIR PASTORS WHO ACTUALLY BURN PACKS OF CIGAR EACH DAY AND WHO DRINK $$$$ COST OF LIQUOR – With their eyes WIDE OPEN?”

    Good question. Only if you are out of your mind would you give your money to a pastor like that! Unfortunately, a lot of people nowadays are out of their minds, having been brainwashed and conditioned by false preachers.

    You know what the Bible says regarding this kind of preachers? In Isaiah 56:10-11, it says -

    His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

    That is the kind of preachers they are, GREEDY DOGS! They never have enough, that is why they continue to acquire wealth from their members’ pockets.

    But there is one preacher I know who remains poor until now. Poor because he doesn’t acquire money from his members. At the age of 61, he still works, cooking to make a living and to be able to share with others. This preacher holds Bible Expositions worldwide answering all questions about faith, religion and the Bible. He is dubbed as “The Only Sensible Preacher of Our Time.”

    He is Bro. Eli Soriano.

  3. Governor Pops
    December 25, 2008 at 1:26 am | #3

    Well-trained dogs are better than them. For these dogs know when to stop their food intake, they know their capacity. So to say, “MY DOG IS BETTER THAN MY SEEMINGLY MEEK PASTOR!”

    I agree that in the midst of falsity there should be one true standing out… having seen Mr. Soriano over the years I saw his earnest desire in propagating the meticulously studied doctrine. (Which is I guess a gift to him). He answers back effortless! On TV or even with the sleek thing on my palm he does appear…

    For people who believe at pastors-went-wrong(over-exposed with their wrong teachings or never-exposed with their fear to put in shame with their erroneous belief) think twice…

  4. March 4, 2009 at 2:59 am | #4

    FUTURE RULERS OF THE
    WORLD – WHO ARE THEY?
    (An in depth analysis of Jehovah’s Witnesses
    of who would be in heaven and on earth)

    Perhaps you were astonished with this blog. Perhaps you thought of the future kings or presidents of countries. This don’t refer to them but rather to those coming spiritual rulers of the earth. These are the 144, 000 sons of Israel (Israel of God) who came from every race of the world. I just hope you will realize and have understanding on who they are and what they will do in the future. The Bible says they will rule over the nations of the world.

    “To those who win the victory, who continue
    to the end to do what I want, I will give the
    same authority that I received from my
    Father: I will give authority over the nations, to
    rule them with an iron rod and to break them to
    pieces like clay pots. I will also give them the morning star.”
    Revelation 2:26-28, TEV

    They were introduced as the 144, 000 sons of Israel. A chosen race of God Jehovah who were redeemed from humanity, a “little flock” mentioned by Jesus which is different from the “other sheep” or simply the “great crowd”.

    “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is
    pleased to give you the Kingdom.”
    Luke 12:32, TEV

    Using the words “little flock” and “great crowd” in the Bible would really give two different meanings. The word “little” would mean a small number of a population compare with the word “great crowd”. A small flock could only have 30 in persons and a great crowd could have 1000 in persons, right? This would tell us the difference of the two. The latter word shows it is more than the preceding word. However, in the Bible it says that the “great crowd” is cannot be counted by anyone. Therefore, it is really big in number. Now, considering the fact that both of them would be in heaven would contradict other verses from the Bible such as in Proverbs 2: 21, 22 of TEV which states “Righteous people – people of integrity – will live in this land of ours. But God will snatch the wicked from the land and pull sinners out of it like plants from the ground.” And also in the Psalms 37:29 “The righteous will possess the land and live in it forever.”

    This only means that there are two kinds of body that would acquire by God’s people who would be in the Kingdom of God – in heaven and on earth.

    35“Someone will ask, ‘How can the dead be raised to life? What kind of
    body will they have? 40And there are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies; the beauty that belongs to heavenly bodies is different from the beauty
    that belongs to earthly bodies.”
    1 Corinthians 15:35, 40, TEV

    The “great crowd” who came out from terrible persecution is written in Revelation 7:9, 10, 13 – 15 : 9 “After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd – no one could count the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10They called out in a loud voice : ‘Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!’ ” 13One of the elders asked me, ‘Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?’ 14‘I don’t know, sir. You do,’ I answered. He said to me, ‘These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. 15That is why they stand before God’s throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence.’ ”

    Perhaps others would think that the “great crowd” would really be in heaven too because of highlighted terms. Are these literal that they would be in heaven? If this is the case then, again it will contradict the verses from the preceding paragraph that good people will possess the earth and that there are two kinds of bodies in resurrection – heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. So in what sense they are in front of the Lamb and of Jehovah. Describing them as “they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb” would not tell that they are in a particular place. The word “in front of the throne” (Greek, en’opion tou thro’nou; in literal meanings is “sa abot-tanaw ng trono”.(from a distant sight of a throne-I have added)would not require them to be literally in heaven. Instead their situation is from a distant sight of God Jehovah, which tells from in heaven, God watches over the people on earth. Consider these verses:
    “With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham he promised to rescue us
    from our enemies, and allow us to serve him without fear, so
    that we might be holy and righteous before him all the days
    of our life.” – Luke 1:74, 75, TEV

    “And so I sent for you at once, and you have been good enough to come.
    Now we are all here in the presence of God, waiting to hear anything

    that the Lord has instructed you to say.”
    Acts 10:33, TEV
    Other verses that uses the Greek word “eno’pion” which translated as “in front of ” has a literal meaning of “in the eyes/presence of ”.This Greek word was used in 1Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:14; Romans 14:22; Galatians 1:20 of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

    This clearly states that the Greek word “enopion” doesn’t mean they are really in front of Jehovah and Jesus, as “enopion” was translated also as “in the eyes/presence of/before” in other verses.

    Who and where would the 144, 000 people come from?

    “They sang a new song:
    ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals.
    For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you
    bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation,
    and race. You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God,
    and they shall rule on earth.’ ”
    Revelation 5:9, 10, TEV

    “Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion;
    with him were 144, 000 people who have his name and his
    Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from
    heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of
    thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing
    their harps. The 144, 000 people stood before the throne, the four living
    creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which only
    they could learn. Of the whole human race they are the only ones
    who have been redeemed.”
    Revelation 14: 1 – 3, TEV

    Who are the 144, 000 sons of Israel?

    “And I was told that the number of those who were marked with
    God’s seal on their foreheads was 144, 000. They were
    from the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve thousand from each
    tribe: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Napthali, Manasseh, Simeon,
    Levi, Isaachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.”
    Revelation 7: 4 – 8, TEV

    Are these literal sons of Israel (Jacob) or really Jews?

    Israel was a new name of Jacob given to him by God. And God
    promised him that he will be ancestors of kings and nations will
    be descended from him.

    “When Jacob returned from Mesopotamia, God appeared
    to him again and blessed him. God said to him, ‘Your name
    is Jacob, but from now on it will be Israel. And God said to him,
    “I am Almighty God. Have many children. Nations will be descended
    from you, and you will be ancestors of kings.”
    Genesis 35:9 – 11, TEV
    If you will try to read Numbers 1:14 – 16, you can find out there
    that Levi was not included in the registration of the tribe. The reasons can be found in Numbers 1: 47 – 52.

    “The Levites were not registered with the other tribes, because the LORD
    had said to Moses, ‘When you take a census of the men fit for military
    service, do not include the tribe of Levi. Instead, put the Levites in
    charge of the Tent of my presence and all its equipment. They shall
    carry it and its equipment, serve in it, and set up their camp around it.
    Whenever you move your camp, the Levites shall take the Tent down
    and set it up again at each new campsite. Anyone else who comes near
    the Tent shall be put to death. The rest of the Israelites shall set up camp,
    company by company, each man with his own group and under his own
    banner. But the Levites shall camp around the Tent to guard it, so that no one may come near and cause my anger to strike the community of
    Israel.”
    Numbers 1: 47 – 52, TEV

    Therefore, it is not proper to claim that these are literal offspring of Israel. And also Manasseh (in which the name appeared in Revelation 7: 4 – 8) was not a son of Israel. Manasseh was a son of Joseph, who was a son of Israel.

    “Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons by Asenath. He said,
    ‘God has made me forget all my sufferings and all my father’s family’, so he named his first son Manasseh.” – Genesis 41:51, TEV

    Who are the real sons of Israel (Jacob)?

    “Jacob had twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.”
    1 Chronicles 2:1, TEV

    What would the 144, 000 or sons of Israel do and where would they be?

    They will become priests of God Jehovah and of Jesus. They will rule with Jesus for a thousand years.

    “The power and greatness of all the kingdoms on earth will be given to
    the people of Supreme God. Their royal power will never end, and
    all rulers(people) on earth will serve and obey them.”
    Daniel 7:27, TEV

    “Happy and greatly blessed are those who are included in this first raising
    of the dead. The second death has no power over them; they shall be
    priests of God and of Christ, and they will rule with him for
    a thousand years.”
    Revelations 20:6, TEV
    (See also Revelations 14:1 – 3 above)

    Those verses have proved that the 144, 000 would be in heaven. Remember the prayer of Jesus which was written in Matthew 6:10. This tells us that the peace and order in heaven would also be on earth. Therefore there are two places that God’s people would dwell in – in heaven and on earth. Also the Israel of God (144, 000) will also judge the people of the world during and after 1000 years. This is obvious as they will become future kings that will rule with Christ under his kingdom.

    “Don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world?
    Well, then, if you are to judge the world, aren’t you capable
    of judging small matters?”
    1 Corinthians 6:2, TEV

    After 1000 years of Satan’s imprisonment, he will be freed together with his demons and they will try to deceive all the nations to gather them for a battle against Jehovah. Then the final judgment will come. I used the word “during” because on this time, after the Armageddon had happened and the time onwards, people who were saved from Armageddon or have resurrected will be judged according to their ways of life – whether they will allow to continue to live more until 1000 years or not and live forever on earth after the final test. The supporting verse can be found in Isaiah. Note: preceding and after the verses should be read.

    “Babies will no longer die in infancy, and all people will live out
    their life span. Those who live to be a hundred will be considered
    young. To die before that would be a sign that I had punished them.”
    Isaiah 65:20, TEV

    Why Jehovah’s Witnesses claimed that the 144, 000 are the Israel of God?

    Jehovah’s Witnesses claimed that the 144, 000 sons of Israel are the Israel of God which do not stand to all God’s people. Do they have basis for that? Yes they have. In Galatians 6:16 of New World Translations it says:

    “And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.”

    These words show that there are two groups talking about, because if not, the Bible would not point out the “Israel of God”. In Good News Bible Today’s English Version (TEV), it is not stated there the words “Israel of God” but rather “God’s people.” However, it doesn’t mean that the two words are acting as a one group.

    “As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them – with them and with all God’s people.”
    Galatians 6:16, TEV
    Now, in this written grammar, it can have two meanings. One is that there are two groups being discussed and the other one could have only one group. Some would say this would refer to a single group for anyone who would be saved can call “God’s people”. Translating the “Israel of God” into “God’s people” would seem refer to a single group. If in this case, it will contradict other verses such as in 1 Peter 2:9, TEV: “But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who have called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.”

    It stated the word “priests”. Would you think all that would be saved would become priests? Of course not. The King’s priests are only the 144, 000 sons of Israel who would be in heaven.And “Israel” in a figurative word is fit to be called a Holy Nation.(See Revelation 5:9, 10 and Revelation 14: 1 – 3 above)

    Now, let’s discuss the “flock” and “the other sheep” which was written in John.

    “There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen.
    I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will
    become one flock with one shepherd.”
    John 10:16, TEV

    Jesus here talked about the sheep. The first sheep which he mentioned are his apostles whom he was talking to at that time and also those who has heavenly calls (144, 000) and the “other sheep” that do not belong to that sheep pen is none other than the “great crowd”. What are the characteristics of a sheep? We know that these are obedient and meek, right? So, we are certainly sure that these are the good people that follows Jehovah and Christ and not those people from the false religions that in due time will be converted and will belong to the sheep pen. Jesus said the first sentence in present time. They are sheep already not will become sheep. Jesus did not emphasize the ones from the false religions that would become his sheep but rather he pointed out his own sheep already. If other religion would say that the “other sheep” are those who will be brought into their church, then it would not be proper to write in the Bible the words “will become one flock”. For it would mean there is another flock separated from the original flock. If the “other sheep” that they are telling are the ones from the false religion that will be converted, well the correct words that should be used are “They will be on my sheep pen.” I might agreed on them if the grammar in the Bible is written as this: “There are other sheep which belong to me that are not yet on this sheep pen…They will be my flock too with one shepherd.”
    Now it is clear that there are two groups of sheep. One is the Israel of God(144, 000 sons of Israel or the little flock) and the other is the “other sheep” or the “great crowd”. Here is another proof that Israel of God has a total specific number:

    “There is a secret truth, my friends, which I want you to know,
    for it will keep you from thinking how wise you are. It is
    that the stubbornness of the people of Israel is not
    permanent, but will last only until the complete number of
    Gentiles comes to God. And this is how all “Israel” will be saved.

    “I am not saying that the promise of God has failed; for not
    all the people of Israel are the people of God.”
    Romans 9:6, TEV

    This shows that the wickedness of the real Israel would not last but will end up when the complete number of Gentiles (not Jews) come to God.
    I hope you end up with enlightenment from this share of truth. May you have more understanding through the words of Jehovah from his own people, the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

    GOD BLESS!!!

    mlg/03/03/09

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    fromthesunrising,

    Regarding your article FUTURE RULERS OF THE WORLD – WHO ARE THEY? I quoted the introductory paragraphs and the verses you cited:

    “Perhaps you were astonished with this blog. Perhaps you thought of the future kings or presidents of countries. This don’t refer to them but rather to those coming spiritual rulers of the earth. These are the 144, 000 sons of Israel (Israel of God) who came from every race of the world. I just hope you will realize and have understanding on who they are and what they will do in the future. The Bible says they will rule over the nations of the world.

    “To those who win the victory, who continue
    to the end to do what I want, I will give the
    same authority that I received from my
    Father: I will give authority over the nations, to
    rule them with an iron rod and to break them to
    pieces like clay pots. I will also give them the morning star.”
    Revelation 2:26-28, TEV

    They were introduced as the 144, 000 sons of Israel.”

    Your article is wrong right off the bat. You were trying to prove that the future rulers of the world are the “144, 000 sons of Israel” and you cited Revelation 2:26-28. Where can you find in those verses the 144, 000 sons of Israel? Do not be careless in interpreting verses.

    Before you conclude that the future rulers of the world “were introduced as the 144, 000 sons of Israel” in Revelation 2:26-28, you must first identify the characters involved in those verses. Who is speaking in those verses? To whom is the message being addressed? These are the primary questions that you should first answer.

    In Revelation 1:11, it says –

    Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

    The one speaking in this verse is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. He commanded John to write in a book what he sees and send it unto the seven churches which were in Asia. Following are collateral verses:

    Revelation 2:1

    Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write…

    Revelation 2:8

    And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write…

    Revelation 2:12

    And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…

    Revelation 2:18

    And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write…

    Revelation 3:1

    And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write…

    Revelation 3:7

    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…

    Revelation 3:14

    And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write…

    Those are the seven churches in Asia to whom John was commanded to send the book he was writing. There is no “144, 000 sons of Israel” mentioned in those verses. The 144, 000 you inserted is in chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation, not in chapter 2. It concerns the twelve tribes of Israel. In Revelation 7:4-8, it says -

    And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

    Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

    Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

    Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

    Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

    Those are the 144, 000 sons of Israel, not the seven churches in Asia. I’m sorry but your article is wrong right from the start.

    For additional information regarding the 144, 000, click here.

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