This is the second installment of my article entitled “A Scientific Way of Discovering Biblical Truth”.
I do not claim to be an Apostle, an executive minister, or a ‘sumo pontifice’ (supreme pontiff), or a ‘supremo’ among those people who follow me in faith. I refuse to be called pastor, reverend or sir.
The word reverend was only used once in the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) to describe the name of the Most High.
(Psalms 111:9) “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name.”
I do not allow anybody to call me ‘sir’ — especially when it comes to religious matters because the word ‘sir’ means:
sire [sīr]
Sire address to king or lord: a respectful form of address for a king or lord (archaic)
[12th century. Via French < Latin senior (see senior)]
Microsoft® Encarta® 2007
It is a biblical prohibition!
(1 Peter 5:2-3) “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
But who is Brother Eli in the religious realm of the present dispensation? Can he be somebody in comparison with religious leaders of this world today? Let us investigate this matter in a scientifically biblical manner.
I am an easterner… a Filipino. Geographically, the Philippines is a part of the east. Biblical prophecies speak of the east.
(Zechariah 8:7) “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country…”
The prophecy is not confined only to countries east of the center of biblical direction or reckoning point, (Jerusalem), but also speaks of east in the geographical sense.
(Malachi 1:11) “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The prophecy speaks of gentiles in the east (gentiles are those outside of the nation of Israel — God’s chosen people Ephesians 2:11-12). Geographical consideration will place the country of the Philippines as a biblical possibility where incense and pure offerings will be offered to God. Incense means prayers and praises to the God of Israel.
(Revelation 5:8) “And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints…” RSV
Although Japan is called the “land of the rising sun”, which qualifies it, also, to be a possible fulfillment of the prophecy but, generally, they do not praise or pray to the God of Israel, but to other gods, thus, disqualifying them.
(Isaiah 24:15) “Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” RSV
As a nation, the Philippines, my country, is included in biblical prophecies.
(Acts 10:34-35) “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
With regards to dialects and languages, my country of diverse dialects is included in biblical prophecies of salvation.
(Isaiah 66:18-19) “For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.”
Originally, the Philippines is called “Las Islas Filipinas”.
(Revelation 7:9) “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands…”
The number of languages listed for Philippines is 175. Of those, 171 are living languages and 4 are extinct.
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=PH
As to the manner of God’s calling, my people are qualified to be possible fulfilment of the prophecies.
(1 Corinthians 1:26-29) “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
Filipinos, like me, do not claim supremacy over other nations of the earth. Our history will reveal that we are the oppressed, the exploited, and now are very poor; but I believe that this economic condition in my country does not disqualify us from meriting God’s salvation like the poor nation of Israel.
(Deuteronomy 7:6-7) “For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people…”
(Luke 6:20-23) “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
But how about the person and the work of Brother Eli?
To be continued…
Other Similar Articles:
A Scientific Way of Discovering Biblical Truth (Part 1)
From Dust to Man: A Scientific Proof
The Sin of Jose Luis Miranda’s Illusion
Paul Labored More Abundantly than the Other Apostles
