LESSON FROM NOAH'S

A LESSON from the GREAT FLOOD

Daniel D. Catangay

Man can learn from two important things in the history: first, from the good things that people did in the past and, second, from the mistakes they committed.

          There is a story written in the Bible that must not only catch our attention but, more importantly, serve as a warning. This happened during the time of Noah.

          During Noah’s time, God saw the grave wickedness of the people. Thus, He decided to destroy them:

          “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,

          “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

          “So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both  man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them’.

          “And behold, I myself am bringing the flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; and everything that is on the earth shall die.” (Gen. 6:1,5,7,17, New King James Version)

          But before God executed His punishment on the wicked, He had given them the chance to be saved:

       “Who formerly were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were save through water.” (I Pt. 3:20, Ibid.)

          We should take note that God did not at once send the great flood to destroy the people of that time. He had shown His patience by giving them the chance to be saved. This chance offered by God lasted the whole time the ark was being prepared when, at the same time, Noah preached God’s righteousness:

          “God did not spare the ancient world, but brought the flood on the world of godless people; the only ones he saved were Noah, who preached righteousness, and seven other people.” (II Pt. 2:5, Today’s English Version)

          God used Noah as an instrument to forewarn the people about the impending flood that would destroy all living creatures. God had wanted them to turn away from their evil ways and to live a holy life so that they would be saved. But instead of heeding the call of God, they took it for granted. So when the great flood came, only eight persons were saved---Noah, his wife, and his three children and their wives.

          What were the people at that time doing before the great flood came?

          “They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Lk. 17:27, New King James Version)

          It is an ordinary day when the deluge came. People ate, drank, and married. They continued living in their sinful ways and never believed Noah’s warning. As a consequence, all those who did not listen to and heed Noah’s admonition perished.

 

What we must understand

 

          There is something significant that we must understand by what happened during Noah’s time. The Bible warns:

          “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man.” (Lk. 17:26, Ibid.)

          Like what happened in the time of Noah, on Christ’s  second advent---on the day of Judgment---a destruction is likewise sure to come. The wickedness of men that God saw in the days of Noah is the same as what He sees with the people today. If God destroyed the wicked then, He will do the same on Christ second coming.

          The Holy Scriptures describe what will happen on the day of Judgment:

          “For they willfully overlook and forget this [fact], that heavens [came into] existence long ago by the word of God, and an earth also which was formed by water and by means of water.

          “Through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished.

          “But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up [reserved] for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.

          “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.” (II Pt. 3:5-7, 10, Amplified Bible)

          On the Day of Judgment, the earth and everything on it as well as the heavens will be destroyed with fire. This is the day of destruction of the ungodly.

          This truth serves as a warning to all and must not be taken for granted as people did during the time of Noah. We must remember that those who did not listen to God’s warning perished. Whom we should follow as good examples are Noah and his companions who were saved because they obeyed God and did not waste the opportunity give to them.

         Like Noah and his household who prepared for the impending destruction, let us prepare for the coming of Judgment Day.

         

How we must prepare

 

          What must we do now so that on the Day of Judgment we will not suffer the same fate as those who were destroyed?

          “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Mt. 24:44, New King James Version)

          The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is like the coming of the great flood in the time of Noah---unexpected. Thus the Bible admonishes us to be prepared for that day. How then must we prepare? The Scriptures teach us that to be prepared for that day is to be found in peace:

          “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” (II Pt. 3:14, Ibid.)

This peace is found in one body:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15, Ibid.)

The body being referred to is the Church (cf. Col 1:18)---the church of Christ:

“Greet one another with a holy kiss, The churches of Christ greet you.” (Rom. 16:16, New King James Version)

In the days of Noah, God willed that the ark built by Noah be the refuge from the great flood. It was what people needed then to be saved. In the Christian era, what people need to be saved from the lake of fire is the Church. This is where we must be found on the Day of Judgment in order not to suffer God’s punishment.

Joining the Church, which is Christ body, therefore, is the proper way of preparing for the Day of Judgment. Why is this so, because the Church, which is Christ body, is the one He will save:

“For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ himself is the Savior of the church, his body.” (Eph. 5:23, Today’s English Version)

Just as the great flood during Noah’s time came. The Day of Judgment will surely come. Because of this we must not hesitate to join the Church of Christ---the only way appointed by God for man to be saved.

In the same way that those who did not enter the ark were destroyed during the great flood, those who will not be found in the true Church will suffer a tragic fate on the Day of Judgment (cf. I Cor. 5:13).

God has given a warning---let us not be caught unprepared. (:

NOTE:

 1.   Not even the relatives, friends of Noah’s family were spared from the great flood! 

2.     The Church of Christ now is likened to the Ark of Noah which man must enter in order to be save on the Day of Judgment...

Supremo

POPE INFALLIBLE?

The Truth about Papal Infallibility

Tomas C. Catangay

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Pope has the singular privilege of infallibility. What is this so-called “Papal Infallibility”? From the book Discourses on the Apostles’ Creed, Clement H. Crock explains:

          “The term ‘infallibility’, then, as applied by the Catholics to the Pope or to the supreme teaching authority in the Church, is defined thus: it is that singular privilege of being preserved from falling into error, or of not leading others into error, in matters of faith and morals. For the Church to be infallible, it means that singular privilege of being preserved from all danger of changing the doctrine of Jesus Christ, or of mistaking the true meaning of what the Divine Saviour taught, commanded, or forbade to do and believe.” (pp. 203-204)

       Papal Infallibility “is that singular privilege of being preserved from falling into error, or of not leading others into error, in matters of faith and morals.” The Catholic Church allegedly is preserved from the peril of changing the doctrine of Christ or of mistaking the true meaning of what Christ taught to do and believe.

          Did the Pope have “infallibility” since the beginning of the Catholic Church? Dave Hunt, in his book A Woman Rides the Beast, reveals, thus:

          “The bishops well knew that papal infallibility had never been accepted by the Church but had been repeatedly denied. To accept it now would be to go against centuries of Church tradition as well as the Scriptures. …

          “It is a fully established fact of history that for many centuries after Christ the Church had no notion that the Bishop of Rome had the final word on disputes or he was infallible. Moreover, when the popes began to assert their alleged infallibility, as we have already seen, they often used it wickedly. Furthermore, according to a 1987 Time poll, 93 percent of today’s Catholics hold the opinion that ‘it is possible to disagree with the pope and still be a good Catholic’. So much for the practical effect of infallibility. No wonder the Church got along without it for 1800 years.” (pp.132,136)

          Papal Infallibility “had been repeatedly denied” by the Catholic Church. For 1800 years, the Catholic Church went on without this teaching. This dogma, therefore, could not be traced from the very beginnings of the Catholic Church. Catholic bishops themselves knew that this teaching “had never been accepted” by their church.

A mere invention

          When was the Catholic doctrine of Papal Infallibility formulated? An “eccentric Franciscan,” Peter Olivi, created it “in one stroke”:

          “Catholic theologian Hans Kung writes:

          “With regard to the origin of the Roman Doctrine of infallibility…[it] did not slowly ‘develop’ or ‘unfold’, but rather was created in one stroke in the late 1200s [by] an eccentric Franciscan, Peter Olivi (d. 1298), repeatedly accused of heresy. At first no one took Olivi’s notion seriously.

…The medieval canonists…had never claimed that the Church needed an infallible head to preserve its faith. …[And] the modern critical attack on the principles of infallibility has the backing of Scriptures and the body of Catholic tradition.” (Ibid., p. 112)

          The Catholic doctrine of Papal Infallibility was only created by Peter Olivi who was repeatedly accused of heresy. The canonist of the middle ages, on the other hand, had never claimed that an infallible head was needed by the Catholic Church. In fact, during the first Vatican Council’s deliberation on the subject infallibility, “ …many bishops were strongly opposed to affirming infallibility both on scriptural and traditional grounds. Some left in protest before the final vote was taken and only affirmed it later under Vatican threats and for the sake of Church unity. Bishop Lecourtier was so distressed by the fraud that he ‘threw his conciliar documents into the Tiber and left Rome…’. For that act he was removed from his bishopric” (Ibid.. p. 133).

          The approval of the Papal Infallibility in 1870 (A Guide to Catholic Reading, (p. 84) was not the consensus of all the bishops who attended the first Vatican Council. The majority who opposed the idea were intimidated and coerced by Vatican threats. For instance, Bishop Lecourtier was removed from his bishopric because, being so distressed by the fraud surrounding the approval of the Papal Infallibility doctrine, he threw his conciliar documents into the Tiber.

The Pope Errs

          To uphold Papal Infallibility is to assert that all the previous Popes did not err in their teachings or official pronouncements. But the fact is, Pope Adrian VI admitted that the Pope “can err even in matters touching the faith. He does this when he teaches heresy by his own judgment or decretal. In truth, many Roman Pontiffs were heretics” (A Woman Rides the Beast, p. 108). Also, Catholic Church erred in the case of Galileo when it “condemned as formal heresy” Galileo’s scientific teaching that the sun is the center of the universe (A Catholic Dictionary, p. 205)

          Another Pope, John XXII, branded the Papal Infallibility doctrine as being the work of the devil. Dave Hunt says:

          “To justify contradicting another pope, John produced his Bull Qui quorundam (1324), a dogmatic assertion of doctrine made to the entire Church and thus infallible by today’s rules. In it John XXII reviled the doctrine of papal infallibility as ‘the work of devil’,” (A Woman Rides the Beast, p. 113)

          What is truly the rationale behind Pope Pius IX’s insistence in having the Vatican Council of 1970 promulgate the Papal Infallibility doctrine?

          “There was a very special reason: Infallibility was the final desperate prop which Pope Pius IX hope would support the collapsing structure of Roman Catholic domination over the governments of the world and their citizens.” (Ibid., p.118)

          Pope Pius IX thought that the Papal Infallibility doctrine can prevent the collapse of Catholic domination over the governments of the world and their citizens; hence, the intimidations and threats against the majority of bishops who were opposed to the Papal Infallibility doctrine. Ironically, the dogma failed its purpose. The eventual collapse of the Catholic Church has been witnessed by Catholic authorities themselves.

          The collapse of the Roman Catholic Church concerns not only its domination over the governments and their citizens, but even its ecclesiastical organization and ideological unity. Malachi Martin, in his book The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church, says, thus:

          “The most surprising and the most puzzling development in the last twenty years has been the sudden and undoubted decline of the Church of Rome in its ecclesiastical organization and ideological unity. The sheer suddenness of this development makes the decline catastrophic. …

          “As things now stand, there appears to be no reasonable hope that this decline can be arrested, and no reasonable expectation that the present organizational structure of this venerable Church can outlive our century. …

          “The relevant statistics and other details are horrendous for the traditional Roman Catholic mind. When plotted on a graph covering the years 1965-80, the number of priests, nuns, religious brothers, monks, junior and senior high school students, private college students, baptisms, conversions, inter-Catholic marriages, communions, confessions, confirmations—every significant statistic available—describes a plummeting, non-stop, downward drop. Added to these key factors are the figures of those Roman Catholics who totally reject Roman teaching about divorce, contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and Communism.” (p. 11)

          The above cited quotation reveals the sad state of the Roman Catholic Church in its ecclesiastical organization and ideological unity. This downward trend, it seems, could not be arrested. The Church’s eventual collapse is undoubtedly predictable.

Built upon the wrong foundation

          Why is the Roman Catholic Church’s collapse—which Pope Pius attempted to stop through the formulation of the Papal Infallibility doctrine—inevitable? According to the parable of the Lord Jesus Christ, a house without foundation is bound to fall or collapse (Lk. 6:49). The true Church, is built upon the true foundation stone who is Christ, the chief cornerstone (Mt. 16:18; Eph. 2:20). This cornerstone, Christ, was rejected (Acts 4:10-12) by the Catholic Church which opted to recognize another as their foundation stone. The Catholic Church was built upon Peter whom it recognized as its cornerstone:

          “…Peter was the rock upon which the Church was to be built. The stability and permanence of any building depends greatly upon the quality of its foundation.” (Discourses on the Apostles’ Creed, p. 216)

           We accept that the “stability and permanence of any building depends greatly upon the quality of its foundation.” That is why we are absolutely sure on the stability and quality of Christ as the foundation stone of the true Church. The Holy Scriptures say concerning Christ:

          “…A foundation stone, a tested stone.” (Is. 28:16, New Revised Standard Version)

          “…A cornerstone chosen and precious.” (I Pt. 2:6, Ibid.)

          On the other hand, what is the impression of the Catholic authorities themselves concerning Peter whom they recognize as the foundation stone of their church? Another Catholic authority, Killian McDonnell says, thus:

          “Their maybe a little conceit in our attachment to Peter. …Peter was a mixture of the great and the small. He was a man of great loves and little fears, strong in word and weak in action, wavering between resoluteness and timidity. …It was the little things that made a coward of him. At one moment he was advancing, sword in hand, on a cohort of Roman soldiers, at another floundering in confusion on being questioned by a serving girl.” (The Restless Christian, p. 53)

          The Catholic Church is built upon the wrong foundation. No wonder it is collapsing. And to prevent “the collapsing structure” of the Roman Catholic Church, the late Pope Pius IX deemed necessary the approval of the Papal Infallibility doctrine which evidently failed. (:

Referrences:

Attwater, Donald, ed.

A Catholic Dictionary, 2^nd ed. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1949

Bernard, Jack F. and John J. Delaney.

 A Guide to Catholic Reading. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1966

Crock, Rev. Clement H.

Discourses on the Apostles’ Creed. New York: Joseph F. Wagner, Inc., 1938

Hunt, Dave.

A Woman Rides the Beast. Eugene, Oregon : Harvest House Publishers, 1994

Martin, Malachi.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church. United States of America: Malachi Martin Enterprises, Ltd., 1981

McDonnell, Killian, O. S. B.

The Restless Christian. Collegeville, Minnesotta: The Order of St. Benedict Inc., 1957

HOPE FOR PEACE

THE PROMISE OF PEACE

Dexter T. Manglicmot

“Despair is coming. You will look for peace and never find it.” (Ezek. 7:25, Today’s English Version)

The sentiments of many people nowadays are captured by this biblical statement as many search for the ever-elusive peace but often end up disappointed.

          The ironic truth is that many times when people search for peace, violence erupts.

          Peaceful demonstrations have been known to turn violent; peace talks between nations at times aggravate rather than improve the situation; and ceasefire agreements are usually broken instead of observed. No matter how good people’s intentions may be, the reality is that their plans to achieve peace and security often end in bloodshed and frustration. As a result, many are outraged and discouraged.

     The recent world events that have crippled not only underdeveloped nations but also the so-called superpowers of the world have all the more worsened the insecurity felt by many. Armed conflicts and terrorist acts have sent many seeking shelter and have left many with a sense of hopelessness. It is safe to say then that in this world, there is an absence of peace.

          But the lack of peace today should not come as a surprise, for the Bible long ago foretold it. Prophet Ezekiel vividly described the condition of the world:

          “One disaster will follow another, and a steady stream of bad news will pour in.

          “Everything is in confusion—the land is full of murders and the cities are full of violence.

          “There is fighting in the streets, and sickness and hunger in the houses. Anyone who is out in the country will die in the fighting, and anyone in the city will be a victim of sickness and hunger.” (Ezek. 7:26, 23, 15, Ibid.)

     The curse that God pronounced on the world is being manifested in our time.

          News of armed conflicts and senseless violence are regular items on news programs and papers. Furthermore, the weakening of the economy is being experienced throughout the world and has seriously affected many people.

          According to the International Labour Organization annual report released in January 2001, nearly one third of the world’s workforce was unemployed or underemployed at the end of the year 2000. Unemployment is one factor that contributes to the growing number of people living in poverty. The organization also report that in the course of the last five years, the world’s poor have increased by 200 million.

          Furthermore, more than 800 million people, almost one in seven of the world’s population, still suffer from hunger or diseases associated with undernourishment, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said in its annual report released in the year 2000. It also reported that wars, armed conflicts, and civil strife are major factors of food insecurity, and emphasized that food supply disruptions associated with political instability and conflicts have led to the persistence of serious food shortages in many countries throughout the world.

          All these things are happening because God is angry with the world due to the wickedness that people commit:

          “The king will mourn, the prince will give up hope, and the people will shake with fear. I will punish you for all you have done, and will judge you in the same way as you have judged others. This will show you that I am the Lord.

          “The Lord spoke to me. “Mortal man’, he said, ‘this is what I, the Sovereign Lord, I am saying to the land of Israel: This is the end for the whole land! Israel, the end has come. You will feel my anger, because I am judging you for what you have done. I will pay you back for all your disgusting conduct’.” (Ezek. 7:27, 1-3, Ibid.)

          Even if God’s anger is being inflicted on the world, He is not the one to blame. If we examine the attitudes and behavior of people today, it is evident that man is at fault. Because man’s sin, he has been separated from God. (Is. 59:2), and has been condemned to punishment on the day when the Lord will judge the ungodly (II Pt. 3:7, 10). If people nowadays try to achieve peace and prevent disaster through power, wealth, intelligence, and influence, on the day of the Lord’s wrath, neither man’s might nor wealth will be able to deliver him from destruction:

          “The great day of the Lord is near; it is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out.

          “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

          “A day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers.

          “I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse.

          “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.” (Zeph. 1:14-18, New King James Version)

          The violence and disasters happening now are incomparable with the destruction that God has in store for the wicked on the day of His wrath. On that day, everything will be destroyed, and man’s power and wealth will be rendered useless.

Is there still hope for peace?

          Nobody wants to be punished in this life, much more to be condemned on the Day of Judgment. But, is there still a chance for people to escape from God’s curse and from the disasters the earth will inevitably experience? Is there still hope for peace?

          The Bible gives us hope in these times of hopelessness:

          “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” (Ps. 29:11, Ibid.)

          God promises to give peace to His people, such as freedom of war:

          “He will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again.” (Is. 2:4, Today’s English Version)

          He also promises to give freedom from worries because justice, peace, and security will reign in the land:

          “Everywhere in the land righteousness and justice will be done. Because everyone will do what is right, there will be peace and security forever.

          “God people will be free from worries, and their homes peaceful and safe.” (Is. 32:16-19, Ibid.)

          The peace promised by God will be manifested in the new heavens and new earth---in the Holy City---where righteousness dwells (II Pt. 3:13, New King James Version), and where there will be no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain (Rev. 21:4).

Heirs of the promise of peace

          But the harsh truth is that not all people will be able to attain this peace. As stated earlier, there are those who are condemned to suffer God’s punishment in this life and in the life to come. Furthermore, the earth is destined to be burned because of the ungodly. So, who will attain the promised peace? Apostle Peter gives the answer:

          “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” (II Pt. 3:13-14, New King James Version)

          Those who will dwell in the promised  land are those who are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1, Ibid.)

Those who are called in the service of the Lord and are in the body of Christ are the ones who have peace with God:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Col. 3:15, Ibid.)

The body is the Church headed by Christ (Col. 1:18). And, the chosen people have attained peace by being reconciled to God through the blood of Lord Jesus Christ:

“And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

“In the body of  His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” (Col. 1:20-22, New King James Version)

Hence it is important to be counted among those redeemed by the blood of Christ because these people have been reconciled to God, have attained peace with Him, and have acquired the right to receive His promises. The Bible teaches that the Church was redeemed by the blood of Christ:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:20, Lamsa Translation)

Since the church of Christ was redeemed or purchased with the blood of Christ, it is the Church that has been reconciled to God and has attained peace with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, members of the Church are the beneficiaries of that peace God promised to His chosen people.

Although the chosen people of God cannot escape witnessing the violence and destruction happening in the world, God promises them triumph and guidance as they wait for the day when they will receive genuine peace in the promised land:

“Obey the Lord your God and all these blessing will be yours: The Lord will bless your towns and your fields. The Lord will bless you with many children, with abundant crops, and with many cattle and sheep. The Lord will bless your grain crops, and the food you prepare from them. The Lord will bless everything you do.” (Dt. 28:2-6, Today’s English Version)

Amidst the unstable condition of the world, the chosen people of God will always be with them. On the Day of Judgment, he will also give them peace that no one in this world can provide---rest from all their labors and worries, peace from the destruction that beset the people of the world today, and salvation from condemnation intended for the ungodly. This is the kind of peace that God will give His chosen people. This is the peace that all must seek. (: