I would like to take this opportunity to answer some of the overwhelming number of questions sent to me by email from various people around the world; brethren and non-brethren alike. So, here we go…
Question #1:
Name: Edjakiel
Email: edjakiel@yahoo.com
Bro Eli, I was a catholic before and we used to have a lot of idols and all these images stuck to my mind. But I love to think about God and the Lord Jesus, their majesty and glory. But these images keeps getting in my mind, I know this is wrong so I try really hard to get it out of my mind especially when I am praying. What is the best thing to put in
my mind when I am praying? Whenever I say the name of the Lord Jesus, these images we used to have gets into my mind. What do I do?
Answer:
Dear Edjakiel,
It will take sometime before something imprinted in the cortex of the mind maybe forgotten. The best thing to do is to look at nothing in the mind. Realizing that God is in eternity, look at eternity. Look at the things which are not seen.
(Isaiah 57:15) “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
(2 Corinthian 4:18) “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
God is invisible. His picture is invisible.
(Colossians 1:15) “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…”
Anyone who prays and worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth.
(John 4:23-24) “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Question #2:
Name: Rose Mae
Email: rmae_4teen@yahoo.com
How can I turn away from pride, money and lust?
Answer:
Dear Rose Mae,
It is good to turn away from pride. 1 John 2:15-16 tells us not to love the world; and pride of life is a part of the world. We do not turn away from money because we need it in doing good.
(Ecclesiastes 7:12) “For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”
What is prohibited in the Bible is the love of money.
(1 Timothy 6:10-11) “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
Money per se is not evil. We need it to give alms; to buy food; and feed the hungry. Money is also used in the propagation of the gospel.
(2 Corinthians 9:12-13) “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men…”
We do not also turn away from lust. We have it in our being.
(James 1:14) “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
A Christians controls his lusts. He lives in moderation.
(Titus 2:12) “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…”
(1 Corinthians 7:3-5) “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
(Ecclesiastes 11:10) It is an excellent thing if the lust of our flesh will totally banish from our being.
(2 Corinthians 7:1) “Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.”
“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Question #3:
Name: Antenedo E. Milloren
Email: coplas@lycos.com
Good day brother Eli…I heard from you and read from the bible as well that God the Almighty is a spirit and we have to pray in spirit…my question is: how do I know I am praying in spirit when I can always imagine the icons that was introduced to me from the day I can comprehend images… I am a catholic, and yes I heard in one of my distant relative who was a “seminarian” but failed to continue and become a priest, that the “mass (misa)” is tainted with the pagan practices…can you elaborate on this?
Answer:
Dear Antenedo,
(Please refer to my answer on question #1)
What is pagan in the mass of the Catholic Church is the worship of images made by the hands of man.
(Acts 17:29) “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
(Romans 1:21-25) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools , And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Question #4:
Name: Antonino N. Geniston
Email: tonygeniston@yahoo.com
Bro. Eli Soriano, I have watched your TV program, I think your understanding of the bible is God-sent to mankind. What do you wish as result of your efforts? For more people to join you? Or for other churches to rectify themselves? What other religion, if any, do you see also as righteous? Thank you for your time in answering this. More Power!
Answer:
Dear Antonio,
My desire is that the prophecy in the Bible be fulfilled.
(Daniel 12:3-4; 9-10) “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
It is not my intention that people join me. After all, who am I? I want them to join the church in the Bible: The Church of God.
(2 Corinthians 1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia…”
It is the body of Christ.
(Colossians 1:18) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
It is where Gentiles like us must be members of.
(Ephesians 3:6) “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel…”
It is the only true church.
(Ephesians 4:4) “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling…”
It is where Christ reigns.
(Colossians 3:15) “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
True righteousness does not have an alternative. Shying away from it means establishing your own righteousness.
(Romans 10:2-3) “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
What we are commanded is to seek the kingdom and the righteousness of God.
(Matthew 6:33) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
It is in the gospel.
(Romans 1:16-17) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”
It is being taught by the apostles in the true church
(1 Timothy 2:7) “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
(1 Corinthians 1:1-2) “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours…”
Question #5:
Name: Noel T. Arellano
Email: budys143@yahoo.com
Sa matthew 25:1-12. Iyong gabi ay ibig sabihin ba ay panahon ng kasamahan, kasiyahan, gaya ng panahon ni Noe at abraham? pls. correct me if im wrong. (In Matthew 25:1-12, does the ‘night’ means days of wickedness, happiness, like in the days of Noah and Abraham? Please correct me if I am wrong.)
Answer:
Dear Noel,
No. It does not necessarily mean so. Night may imply the time to sleep or to rest.
(Matthew 13:25) “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”
It may also denote the time of tribulation where someone may stumble.
(John 11:10) “But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”
It may, in the verse that you have given, denote also the unexpected coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Thessalonians 5:2) “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Question #6 and #7:
Name: Benny
Email: lenin25@verizon.net
1. Do you think it is wise for Christian to pass laws to enforce Christianity?
2. Daniel sees four beast coming up out of the sea. In prophecy, what does beast represent, the bear with three ribs in it’s mouth, the leopard beast of Daniel, the little horn of Daniel 7:8.
Answer:
Dear Benny,
Biblical Christianity does not force law or coerce anybody. The law of Christ is called the law of liberty
(James 1:25) “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
It is even reflected in the law regarding the finances of the true Christian church.
(2 Corinthians 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
The fulfillment of Christian laws emanates from the willingness of the heart
(Ephesians 6:6) “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart…”
Even a Christian minister does not force the followers of the Christian faith to obey him.
(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.”
Your second question calls for a very lengthy explanation. To give you a hint, the three beasts were symbolic of the three kingdoms that ruled the earth in the past. The fourth is symbolic of the kingdom that rules the earth now at present. The first kingdom is the Babylonian empire. The second is the Medo-Persian Empire. The third is the Grecian Empire. The fourth is the Roman Empire.
(Daniel 7:17) “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.”
Question #6:
Name: foogy
Email: cabrerajerry@yahoo.co.uk
Bro Eli,
Is the body or the flesh which was used by Jesus Christ will also ascend to his second coming? Or was it with him when he went to heaven the day He died?
Answer:
Dear Foogy,
His body of flesh was changed when He was resurrected
(2 Corinthians 5:15-16) “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”
It is exactly what will also happen to believers.
(1 Corinthians 15:50-54) “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
What happened to him will happen to faithful Christians also.
(Philippians 3:20-21) “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
When He descends again, we will see that same glorious body.
(Acts 1:9-11) “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Question #7:
Name: Karen Dickens
Email: karen42dickens@yahoo.com
In John 4:24, it says we must worship him in spirit and in truth. How can a person do that? What is meant by spirit and truth?
Answer:
Dear Karen,
The verse gives us an idea. God is a spirit. A spirit does not have flesh and bones.
(Luke 24:39) “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
The idea is that we must not have idols or graven images as the pagans have in their worship. To worship God in the spirit is to worship and praise the name of God (Psalms 138:2).
It is prohibited by God to worship him by using graven images
(Deuteronomy 5:7-9) “Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me…”
To worship him in truth is to base our worship on God’s words or teachings. His word is truth.
(John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
There are those who worship God not according to His words or commandments, but according to the commandments of men. They worship him in vain
(Mark 7:7) “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
A true worshipper must worship God according to the way God expects him to worship Him. Nobody must do it in his own way, or he will worship in vain.
(Colossians 2:23) “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”
Question #8
Name: David Sibayan
Email: davidman042003@yahoo.com
Bro. Eli, you have mentioned that Adam was already taught by God everything before Adam and Eve transgressed their covenant, what was that “good and evil they are going to know after they ate the forbidden fruit, mentioned in Genesis 3:22.
Answer:
Dear David,
The good are the commandments.
(Romans 7:12) “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
The evil is the transgression of the good or the commandments. At the start, Adam does not know sin.
(1 John 3:4) “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
(Romans 7:7-8) “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.”
You must note that the knowledge of good and evil (or the comprehension between obedience and transgression was not known to Adam at the start), but was insinuated by Satan.
(Genesis 3:4-5) “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
God wants them to live in freedom, and does not want them to have cares for what is good and evil; what is right and what is wrong. He just wanted them to enjoy life and obey his simple commandment: to multiply and replenish the earth.
(Genesis 1:27-28) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
(Published on May 15th, 2007 at esoriano.wordpress.com)