Who predeicted first the fall of Satan? The Quran or the Bible?

                                                                 The fall of Satan:              
 

The Quran:

And behold, We said to the angels: “Bow down to Adam” and they bowed down. Not so Iblis (Satan): he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith. (2: 34)

It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels bow down to Adam, and they bowed down; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who bow down. (God) said: “What prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded thee?” He said: “I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay.” (God) said: “Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures).” (7: 11–13)

Behold! We said to the angels: “Prostrate unto Adam”: They prostrated except Iblis (Satan): He said, “Shall I prostrate to one whom Thou didst create from clay?” He said: “Seest Thou? This is the one whom Thou hast honoured above me! If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!” (17: 61–62)

The Holy Scriptures:

Isaiah 14:12-15, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit"

Ezekiel 28:13-17, "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

17Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee"

The Quran plagiarized the Bible. The Bible predicted first the fall of Satan, not the Quran.

                                                 Satan spreads doubt to the heavenly beings

Refuting an anti Christian on the Divinity of Christ

                                                   The Lord Jesus, Creator of the Universe


From: http://www.jesusorsatan.com/

Note that my words will be written in black while the owner of www.jesusorsatan.com is written in red.


He said:

Jesus Speaks Blasphemy

John 14:6

"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father but by me."

Luke 22:69

"But from now on, the Son of Man will be
seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

John 10:28-30

"And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has
given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out
of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

Mark 14:61-62

Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'
"I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 

My response:

How come Jesus speak blasphemy against God? Jesus said, "The deeds that I do by My Father's authority speak on My behalf" (John 10:25). First, let us examine where Jesus came from:

1. Jesus came from heaven

When the Jews said, "He says that we cannot go where He is going, does this mean that He will kill Himself?", Jesus replied, "You belong to this world here below, but I come from above, you are from this world but I am not from this world" (John 8:22-23). Before the world ever came to existence, Jesus was already there. John calls Jesus, "The Word" in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God". 

2. Jesus was God Himself manifested in the flesh

In the book of Genesis, Yahweh-Elohim said, "Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). The question, to whom was God talking to in Genesis 1:26? The angels? No! Because Hebrews 1:14 says, "What are angels then? They are spirits who served God and are sent by God to help those who are to receive salvation". The angels are sent by Yahweh-Elohim to help those who are to receive salvation, neither was it to Satan because Satan was cast out of heaven according to Isaiah 14:12, "How you are fallen, O Lucifer, son of the morning! You who want to conquer nations!" So, it was actually talking to Jesus Christ. John said about Him, "Through Him, God made all things, not one thing in all creation was made without Him" (John 1:3).

3. Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies

In Zechariah 11:12, Zechariah played the role of Yahweh-Elohim Himself, "I said to them, 'If you are willing, give me my pay, if not, keep them'. So they payed me thirty pieces of silver'". In this verse, the prophet Zechariah was trying to imply that God Himself will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver which was fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15, "Then one of the Twelve named Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked, 'What will you give me if I deliver Jesus to you?' They counted out thirty pieces of silver and gave them to him" See? Matthew 26:14-15 fulfills Zechariah 11:12. Another verse is found in Zechariah 12:10, "People will look at Me, whom they pierced" which was fulfilled in John 19:34, "But one of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear to His side, and immediately, blood and water flowed out". So, so say that Jesus is a blasphemer is to be blind to the fact that he was the Messiah and Son of God. I have so many Messianic verses to quote to prove Jesus is God-Messiah, but it lacks time already. Here are only few examples of Messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.

4. Jesus can never be the Antichrist

When the Pharisees accuse Him of being a demoniac, Jesus responded, "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom will not stand and if Satan is divided against himself, how then can his kingdom stand? How can Satan drive out Satan?" (Mark 3:23-25). If Jesus was indeed from Satan, how come Satan himself feared Him in the wilderness when Jesus said, "Go away Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve'"? (Matthew 4:11).

I don't know if this person really understood the Old Testament or was he interpreting it like the Pharisees.

                                         The image of Caiaphas, the High Priest of Jerusalem

I really don't know whose side the author of www.jesusorsatan.com will take on? The side of the apostles and Mary, Jesus' Mother or the side of this man above you, namely, the High Priest Caiaphas?

But friend, its not yet too late! Jesus loves you so much He left heaven just to save you from your sins!

 This is the proof that He loved you! Up to the Cross, He didn't give it up! Jesus Himself did it for you as He Himself said in John 3:14-16, "As Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the pole in the desert, in the same way, the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life". So won't you accept Jesus today as your Lord, God and Savior and be saved? Ask Him today or pray this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I am a hell-bound sinner and knew that the wages of sin is death. Please forgive me of my sins. I know You died on the Cross to redeem me of my sins. I ask you to come in my heart now and be my Lord, God and Savior. In Your Name. Amen!

If you accepted Him, Congratulations! Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me, I will never turn away" (John 6:37).

Shalom and may Christ open your eyes to see the truth!!! Ave Maria!!!!

Seventh Day Adventists and the Catholic Church

                     This is an accusation made by the Seventh Day Adventists against the Catholic Church.


Seventh Day Adventists are making an accusation against the Catholic Church. They are saying that, "The Pope is the Antichrist" with this as evidence: VICARIUS FILII DEI (Vicar of the Son of God) which sums up to 666. They often use Revelation 13:16-18 as an attack to the Catholic Church:

Revelation 13:16-18, "And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond to receive a mark on their right hand and on their foreheads containing the mark of the beast or the number bearing his name. Here is wisdom: Let him who is intelligent calculate the number of the beast for it is a man's number, his number is 666"

Note: The VICARIUS FILII DEI, was it seen on the Pope's tiara? The SDAs are very clever to exchange "CHRISTI" in VICARIUS CHRISTI (Vicar of Christ) to FILII DEI since Christi is Filii Dei. What these SDAs do not know is there are official titles of the Pope which didn't sum up to 666. Here are those:

1. Vicar of Christ
2. Bishop of Rome
3. Supreme Pontiff (Bridge-Builder)
4. Successor of Peter
5.Patriarch of the West
6. The Primate of Italy
7. Sovereign of the Vatican State

Where is the "VICARIUS FILII DEI" there in the official, not distorted titles of the Pope? Here's more, they are saying that the Roman Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon. They use Revelation 17:18 to prove that.

Revelation 17:18, "The woman which you saw is the great city ruling upon the kings of the earth"

They conclude that the Roman Church is that Whore because it sits upon seven hills. The question, was Vatican Hill on where the Roman Church was built one of the seven hills of Rome? Here's the list of Rome's seven hills:

Aventinus (Aventine) Caelius (Caelian) Capitolium (Capitoline) Esquiliae (Esquiline) Palatium (Palatine) Quirinalis (Quirinal) Viminalis (Viminal)

Source: http://www.musesrealm.net/rome/sevenhills.html
Where is the Vatican Hill there? And Revelation 17 aims to attack the pagan Roman emperors like Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Diocletian and so on. It was not aimed to attack the Roman Christians, in fact, Paul wrote his letter to the Roman Christians:

Romans 1:7-8, "And so I write to you in Rome, whom God has called to be His people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. First of all, I want to thank God through Jesus Christ for you since the whole world is hearing about your faith"

See? The whole world is hearing about the faith of the Roman Christians, that is us, not the Seventh Day Adventists whose sect had been invented just recently. In fact, if we are going to examine Ellen White's name, it would sum up to 666:

E-0
L-50
L-50
E-0
N-0

G-0
O-0
U-5
L-50
D-500

W-10
H-0
I-1
T-0
E-O
-------------------
= 666

See? Revelation 13:18 suits EGW more than the Papacy. This is also adapted by the Iglesia ni Cristo (of Manalo) and Eli Soriano's Members of the Church of God International (or commonly known as Ang Dating Daan or The Old Path). But this has been off base already by Catholic apologists.

Here are some of EGW's failed prophecies:

JERUSALEM'S FUTURE

An interesting prophecy of Mrs. White's was that "Old Jerusalem never would be built up". In Early Writings p 75, she said, "Then I was pointed to some who are in the great error of believing that it is their duty to go to Old Jerusalem, and think they have a work to do there before the Lord comes .... I saw that Satan had greatly deceived some in this thing, .... I ALSO SAW THAT OLD JERUSALEM NEVER WOULD BE BUILT UP; and that Satan was doing his utmost to lead the minds of the children of the Lord into these things now, in the gathering time" (emphasis added).

This prophecy did not come true. Since the nation of Israel's rebirth in 1948, "old Jerusalem" has been greatly built up.

MRS. WHITE ALIVE WHEN JESUS RETURNS

Mrs. White predicted that she would be among "the living saints" when Jesus returned.

"Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand, which we all knew was the sign of Son of man.... Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, "Alleluia!" as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment WE WERE CHANGED AND CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM to meet the Lord in the air". Early Writings, pp 15-16 (emphasis added).

ENGLAND WILL ATTACK THE UNITED STATES

In 1862 she predicted that "when England does declare war [against the North, during the civil war]. all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion." The result will be that "this nation [the United States] will...be humbled into the dust". Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 259.

American history clearly shows that England did not "declare war" against the United States during the Civil War, and the United States was not "humbled into the dust".

THE CIVIL WAR IS A SIGN THAT JESUS IS ABOUT TO RETURN

"I saw greater distress in the land than we have yet witnessed. I heard groans and cries of distress, and saw large companies in active battle. I heard the booming of the cannon, the clash of arms, the hand-to-hand fight, and the groans and prayers of the dying....God's people must take warning and discern the signs of the times. The signs of Christ's coming are too plain to be doubted, and in view of these things everyone who professes the truth should be a living preacher....All heaven is astir. THE SCENES OF EARTH'S HISTORY ARE FAST CLOSING. We are amid the perils of the last days". Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 260 (emphasis added)

IN THE 1850'S MRS. WHITE SAID JESUS WAS TO RETURN "IN A FEW MONTHS"

"Some are looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued a few years longer than they expected; therefore they think it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world.... I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished and that TIME CAN LAST BUT A VERY LITTLE LONGER". Early Writings, p. 58 (emphasis added)."

In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, "TIME IS ALMOST FINISHED....Said the angel, "Get ready, get ready, get ready...." I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but LITTLE TIME in which to do it....Then I saw that THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES WERE SOON TO BE POURED OUT upon those who have no shelter...."

Early Writings, p 64 (emphasis added).

Mrs. White continues to relate her vision and makes a startling prediction that only a few months are left before the Lord will return. "But NOW TIME IS ALMOST FINISHED and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a FEW MONTHS. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again." Early Writings, p 67 (emphasis added).

ADVENTISTS LIVING IN 1856 WILL BE ALIVE TO SEE JESUS RETURN

Over 135 years ago, Mrs. White made another fascinating prophecy during a meeting in Battle Creek, Michigan in May of 1856. She declared that some of those who were at the meeting would die, and become "food for worms," and that some of them would live on and become "subjects of the seven last plagues," while still others would "remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus". Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 131-132.

CHRIST WOULD RETURN BEFORE SLAVERY WAS ABOLISHED

"I saw the pious slave rise in triumph and victory and shake off the chains that bound him, while his wicked master was in confusion and knew not what to do; for the wicked could not understand the words of the voice of God. Soon appeared the great white cloud ....On it sat the Son of man." Early Writings, pp 35

"I saw that the slave master will have to answer for the soul of his slave whom he has kept in ignorance; and the sins of the slave will be visited on the master. God cannot take to heaven the slave who has been kept in ignorance and degradation, knowing nothing of God and the Bible, fearing nothing but his master's lash, and holding a lower position than the brutes. But he does the best thing for him that a compassionate God can do. He permits him to be as if he had not been, while the master must endure the seven last plagues and then come up in the second resurrection and suffer the second, most awful death. Then the justice of God will be satisfied."

Early Writings, pp 276

Slavery was not abolished for another 6 years after these statements, and the Lord hadn't yet returned.

MRS. WHITE SAW ENOCH ON JUPITER OR SATURN

The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious. THE GRASS OF THE PLACE WAS LIVING GREEN, AND THE BIRDS THERE WARBLED A SWEET SONG. THE INHABITANTS OF THE PLACE WERE OF ALL SIZES; THEY WERE NOBLE, MAJESTIC, AND LOVELY....I asked on of them why they were so much more lovely than those on earth....Then I WAS TAKEN TO A WORLD WHICH HAD SEVEN MOONS. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated". Early Writings, pp. 39-40 (emphasis added)

Ellen's husband, James White verified her vision. He wrote, "At our conference in Topsham, Maine, last Nov., Ellen has a vision of the handy works of God. SHE WAS GUIDED TO THE PLANETS JUPITER, SATURN, AND I THINK ONE MORE. After she came out of vision, she could give a clear description of their Moons, etc... It is well known that she knew nothing of astronomy, and could not answer one question in relation to the planets, before she had this vision." A Word to the "Little Flock", p. 22 (emphasis added).

Excellent satellite pictures of Jupiter and Saturn have not revealed any life forms.

MRS. WHITE SAID THAT WE HAVE ANIMAL ORGANS IN OUR BRAINS AND THE WEARING OF WIGS WOULD CAUSE INSANITY

Mrs. White said:

"Fashion loads the heads of women with artificial braids and pads, which do not add to their beauty, but give an unnatural shape to the head. The hair is strained and forced into unnatural positions, and it is not possible for the heads of these fashionable ladies to be comfortable. The artificial hair and pads covering the base of the brain, heat and excite the spinal nerves centering in the brain. The head should ever be kept cool. The heat caused by these artificials induces the blood to the brain. The action of the blood upon the lower or animal organs of the brain, causes unnatural activity, tends to recklessness in morals, and the mind and heart is in danger of being corrupted. As the animal organs are excited and strengthened, the moral are enfeebled. The moral and intellectual powers of the mind become servants to the animal. In consequence of the brain being congested its nerves lose their healthy action, and take on morbid conditions, making it almost impossible to arouse the moral sensibilities. Such lose their power to discern sacred things. The unnatural heat caused by these artificial deformities about the head, induces the blood to the brain, producing congestion, and causing the natural hair to fall off, producing baldness. Thus the natural is sacrificed to the artificial."Many have lost their reason, and become hopelessly insane, by following this deforming fashion. Yet the slaves to fashion will continue to thus dress their heads, and suffer horrible disease and premature death, rather than be out of fashion."

- The Health Reformer, October 1, 1871

- Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, October 17, 1871

A SCRIPTURAL WARNING!!!

"But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, IF THE THING FOLLOW NOT, NOR COME TO PASS, THAT IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HATH NOT SPOKEN, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (emphasis added)

***

http://members.tripod.com/~Help_for_SDAs/egwindex1.htm

 

Jesus vs. Muhammad

                               "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repent" (Matthew 9:13)

JESUS

1. He forgives sinners

John 8:10-11, "Jesus straightened up and said to the woman, 'Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?' 'No one sir', she replied. Jesus answered, 'Well then, I don't condemn you either, go and sin no more'" .

Here in this passage, Jesus could have stoned the woman to death because only He is without sin, but since He is demonstrating Exodus 34:6, "I the LORD am not easily angered and is full of compassion and pity", He forgave the adulteress who was about to be stoned to death.

MUHAMMAD:

1. He doesn't forgive sinners, as if he is God himself

From the Hadith of Abu Dawud, #4428

            "Buraidah said:  "A woman of Ghamid came to the Prophet and said:  "I have committed fornication", He said:  "Go back".  She returned and on the next day she came to him again, and said:  "Perhaps you want to send me back as you did to Maiz b. Malik.  I swear by Allah, I am pregnant."  He said to her:  "Go back".  She then returned and came to him the next day.  He said to her:  "Go back until you give birth to the child."  She then returned.  When she gave birth to the child she brought the child to him, and said:  "Here it is!  I have given birth to it."  He said:  "Go back, and suckle him until you wean him."  When she had weaned him, she brought him to him with something in his hand which he was eating.  The boy was then given to a certain man of the Muslims and he (the prophet) commanded regarding her.  So a pit was dug for her, and he gave orders about her and she was stoned to death.  Khalid was one of those who were throwing stones at her.  He threw a stone at her.  When a drop of blood fell on his cheek, he abused her.  The prophet said to him:  "Gently, Khalid.  By Him in Whose hand my soul is, she has repented to such an extent that if one who wrongfully takes an extra tax were to repent to a like extent, he would be forgiven".  Then giving command regarding her, prayed over her and she was buried.""

At first, Muhammad forgave the adulteress but its not complete, its only partial, not complete pardon, he eventually had the adulteress killed. See the difference between a man of bitterness and hate and a Man of Love and Mercy?

JESUS

2. He didn't use force to make people believe in Him

In Luke 9:51-56, a Samaritan town refused to entertain Jesus since they knew He was going to Jerusalem, but Jesus didn't command fire to rain down on them as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. He said, "If people hear My Words and do not obey it, I will not judge them, for I came not to judge the world but to save it" (John 12:47). And even when the guards are about to arrest Jesus, Peter struck the High Priest's servant, trying to defend his Master, but Jesus reprimanded him and said, "Put away your sword! Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52, John 18:10).

MUHAMMAD

2. He used force to make everyone believe him

Muhammad told his followers to aggressively make war on non-Muslims: 9:5, 29.  Sura 9 was one of the last Suras given by Muhammad.  Initially, when Muhammad's group was weak, he ordered his followers to try to get along with other people.  After the Muslims became powerful, he ordered them to spread Islam by force.  Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman continued his wars of aggression.  A few of Muhammad’s actions include:

            The massacre of approximately 800 Jewish male captives:  (noted in Sura 33:26).

            He ordered the execution of 10 people when he took Mecca.  Three of these people were slave girls who had previously made fun of Muhammad.  Refer to "The Life of Muhammad", pages 551 and 552.

            He attacked the Jewish city of Khaibar where he took one of the Jewish leaders and tortured him to force him to tell where some buried money was.  After the man refused to talk, and was near death, Muhammad ordered that his head be cut off.  Refer to "The Life of Muhammad", page 515.

See? Jesus is a Man of Peace who didn't use violence while Muhammad uses war to spread the Islamic faith through the Jihad (Islamic holy war). Remember what Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

JESUS

3. He was very sinless

During His earthly ministry, He did lots of good works, that is why, He challenged His accusers, "Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe Me?" (John 8:46). And even during His trial, the Pharisees are filing up complaints against Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect of Judea, but when Pilate examined His case, he concluded, "I find no reason to condemn this Man" (Luke 23:4).

                                       The Lord Jesus facing Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor

MUHAMMAD

3. He declared himself to be a sinner

 Sura 40:55 - "Therefore have patience; God's promise is surely true.  Implore forgiveness for your sins, and celebrate the praise of your Lord evening and morning."

Sura 48:1,2 - "We gave you a glorious victory so that God may forgive you your past and future sins ....."

Muhammad also prayed for forgiveness of his sins, Bukhari volume 9, #482:

            "...O Allah!  Forgive me the sins that I did in the past or will do in the future, and also the sins that I did in secret or in public.

            Further, Muhammad even acknowledged harming or cursing people unjustly.  From Sahih Muslim, volume 4, "The Book of Virtue and Good Manners, and Joining the Ties of Relationship, chapter MLXXV

            "HE UPON WHOM ALLAH'S APOSTLE INVOKED CURSES WHEREAS HE IN FACT DID NOT DESERVE IT, IT WOULD BE A SOURCE OF REWARD AND MERCY FOR HIM". 

Hadith #6287 - "Abu Juraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying, "O Allah, I am a human being and for any person amongst Muslims upon whom I hurl malediction or invoke curse or give him whipping make it a source of purity and mercy."

See again the difference between the self-proclaimed prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ? Jesus is without sin, Muhammad admitted himself to be a sinner.

JESUS

4. He taught us the right form of prayer

He said in His Word, "When you pray, do not be like the pagans who use lots of meaningless words, thinking that their gods will hear them because of their long prayers, do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need even before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:7-8).

When we pray, we should pray genuinely to the Father, believing that we will receive it as He said again:

"I tell you that when you pray, believe that you have received it and it will be done for you" (Mark 11:24)

MUHAMMAD

4. He formulated prayer ritual

488 - passing in front of a praying person annuls his prayer

489 - it's a sin to pass in front of someone while they're praying

660 - don't raise from prayer before the Imam {Muslim cleric leading the formal, ritualized prayers), or God will turn your face into a donkey's face

685 - if the prayer rows (of men) aren't straight, God will alter your faces

690 - if the prayer rows aren't straight, the prayer is not good

717 - if you look up during prayer, you'll lose your eyesight

759 - if you don't perform the bowing perfectly, your prayers are not accepted

See? Its more of a man-made tradition, Muhammad's prayer ritual, a tradition that didn't come from God which Jesus condemned in Mark 7:6-7, "'These people' says God, 'honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me. Its no use for them to worship Me, for they made man-made rules as though they were My Laws!'"

These 2 persons claimed to have been from God and have left their mark on earth. Christians follow Jesus, Muslims follow Muhammad, only one of them is really from God Himself. Jesus warned, "For false prophets and false messiahs will arise and perform miracles to deceive, even the elect if possible. Listen! I have told you this ahead of time" (Mathew 24:24).

But all hope is not lost my Muslim friend, you can still surrender your life to Jesus! His message is not just for Israel, but to all nations as He Himself said before He went to His Father, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore, and teach all nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). See how much the Son of God loved you my Muslim friend!!!

 This is the proof that He loved you! Up to the Cross, He didn't give it up! Jesus Himself did it for you as He Himself said in John 3:14-16, "As Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the pole in the desert, in the same way, the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life". So won't you accept Jesus today as your Lord, God and Savior and be saved? Ask Him today or pray this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I am a hell-bound sinner and knew that the wages of sin is death. Please forgive me of my sins. I know You died on the Cross to redeem me of my sins. I ask you to come in my heart now and be my Lord, God and Savior. In Your Name. Amen!

If you accepted Him, Congratulations! Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and whoever comes to Me, I will never turn away" (John 6:37).

Shalom and may Christ open your eyes to see the truth!!! Ave Maria!!!!

1 Timothy 3:15 and the Roman Catholic Church

    St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

Barry Wannell said:

Is the Roman Catholic really the first Church?

1 Tim. 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Many Catholics are deceived into believing that this scripture is speaking of the “Roman” Catholic Church. Thus they are bound to remain in a church that has fallen into paganism and false doctrine, believing that it “IS THE CHURCH OF GOD”!

Catholic verses “Roman” Catholic

The term “Church” in scripture does not mean “the Roman Catholic Church”. The word “church” means “assembly, meeting, a calling out, a religious congregation” (Strongs #1577 “ekklesia”) When a scripture verse is quoted pertaining to the “church”, Catholics are taught that the reference to "the church" means the "Roman Catholic Church"! This is not true!

 

My reply: 

Is the Roman Catholic really the first Church?

Of course it is the True Church established by Jesus Christ Himself. Why Barry, what do you think? That your church is founded by God? ha ha ha

1 Tim. 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Many Catholics are deceived into believing that this scripture is speaking of the “Roman” Catholic Church. Thus they are bound to remain in a church that has fallen into paganism and false doctrine, believing that it “IS THE CHURCH OF GOD”!

1 Timothy 3:15 suits the Catholic Church more than your sect Barry. And about Catholicism being pagan, I'd suggest you give some sufficient and pertinent, not revised and distorted sources proving your stand.

The term “Church” in scripture does not mean “the Roman Catholic Church”. The word “church” means “assembly, meeting, a calling out, a religious congregation” (Strongs #1577 “ekklesia”) When a scripture verse is quoted pertaining to the “church”, Catholics are taught that the reference to "the church" means the "Roman Catholic Church"! This is not true!

Its your claims and misrepresentations that are untrue, because the name, "Catholic Church" didn't derive from English, it came from the Greek. Here's proof:

Acts 9:31, "ē men oun ekklēsia kath olēs tēs ioudaias kai galilaias kai samareias eichen eirēnēn oikodomoumenē kai poreuomenē tō phobō tou kuriou kai tē paraklēsei tou agiou pneumatos eplēthuneto" 

See? The name of our church is "EKKLESIA KATHOLES" which literally means, "The Church throughout" or "The Universal Church" which comes up with the Catholic Church and the reason why it is called Roman, its because it was in Rome that the faith of Ekklesia Katholes spread. Here's proof from the book of Acts:

Acts 23:11, "The Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Don't be afraid! You have given your testimony about Me here in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome'"

So, to change the name of our church to satisfy you and your kind? Thanks, but no thanks!

Acts 5:29, "We must obey God, not men"  

Mary's role as the Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate

                                     Mary interceding for the guests to Jesus Christ (John 2:1-11)

Many Protestants and so called, "Bible believing Christians" are saying, "Why do you worship Mary? Why give her titles like Co-Mediatrix, Co-Redemptrix and Advocate? Isn't that enough that we have Jesus as our Redeemer, Mediator and Advocate?" First, let us examine the verses that the Protestants are using:

1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is only One God and One Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus"

We have no problem with that. Jesus alone is the One Mediator between God and man. The role of Mary as Co-Mediatrix means, "to work with the Mediator" and that is also the job of the saints if we are going to read 1 Timothy 2:5 in its original context:

1 Timothy 2:1, "First of all, I desire that all prayers, requests and thanksgiving be offered to God for all people"

See? We are commanded to pray for one another and the role of Mary as Co-Mediatrix does that and it is Scriptural. If we are going to examine the Lumen Gentium, we will see that her role in working with the Mediator does not add or subtract the credibility of Christ as the Mediator. Let us examine the Lumen Gentium:

"Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix.(16*) This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator.(17*)"

The Lumen Gentium no.62 supports 1 Timothy 2:5 but it also supports 1 Timothy 2:1. Let us examine again the verses that Protestants usually quote in refutation to this:


1 John 2:1, "But if we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One"


They are having a wrong understanding of the passage. We know very well that Jesus is the Advocate to the Father. That is why when we pray to the Father, we end up, "In Jesus' Name" or "Through Christ our Lord". Protestants are very ignorant of Catholic prayers, we don't end our prayers, "In Mary's name". When we call Mary "Advocate", she is an Advocate to Jesus Christ, the very Advocate to the Father. The Biblical foundation of that is founded in John 2:1-11 wherein Mary prays to Jesus for the guests. Jesus, though His time to reveal Himself has not yet come, did His first miracle of changing water to wine simply because He did not refuse His Mother. This is very similar to a passage in the Old Testament:


1 Kings 2:20, "She (Bathsheba) said, 'I have a small favor to ask of you, please do not refuse me' 'What is it mother?' Solomon asked, 'I will not refuse you'".

Just as Solomon didn't refuse to heed his mother's request, even so, our Lord did not refuse His Blessed Mother. And even at the foot of the Cross, aside from giving us His Blood as sufficient for our salvation, He gave us His Own Mother, not only to John the apostle.

  "Woman, behold your son! Son, behold your Mother!" (John 19:26-27)

And Protestants will often use Acts 4:12 to refute Mary as the Co-Redemptrix:

Acts 4:12, "There is salvation in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven, given unto all by which all must be saved"

Of course we don't deny that. But we need to go back to the  First Proto-Evangelion founded in Genesis 3:15:

Genesis 3:15, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, between her seed and your seed. Her seed shall crush your head, while you bruise his heel"

What did Yahweh-Elohim said to the serpent (Satan in Revelation 12:9)? There will be enmity between him and the woman, whose offspring will crush his head. Who is this woman? Mary alone because through her fiat or "yes" to the angel's message in Luke 1:38, she cooperated with Jesus as the Co-Redemptrix (with the Redeemer), again, as I have said earlier, this does not add or subtract to the credibility of Christ as the Only Redeemer. This is being supported by the Scripture and the Lumen Gentium. The role of Mary is to cooperate with the Redeemer and just as Christ didn't refuse her as in the wedding in Cana, He will not reject her prayer on our behalf.

                          Yahweh-Elohim cursing the serpent and punishing our first parents, Adam
                       and Eve, but promised them a Redeemer who will crush the head of the serpent

                              

Sino ang Huling Sugo ng Diyos ayon sa Biblia? Refuting an ADD member

                                     The Lord Jesus, the Son of God and Messenger in the last days

Je Jo said:

may sugo ang Dios sa "mga huling araw" at ang sugo ng Dios sa "Huling araw" ay si Cristo..ang tanong sino ang sugo sa "mga huling araw"

Jack Saliba's response: Jan 14, 2012 04:44 AM

(may sugo ang Dios sa "mga huling araw" at ang sugo ng Dios sa "Huling araw" ay si Cristo..ang tanong sino ang sugo sa "mga huling araw")

Ang sugo sa mga huling araw at sa huling araw e pareho nga yon. Nagiging ignorante ka sa Biblia Je Jo. Ang sugo sa mga huling araw ay si Jesus mismo na mismong Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Nagkataon lang na nagiging bulag ka sa mga sinabi mismo ng Biblia:

Hebreo 1:2, "Ay nagsalita sa atin sa MGA HULING ARAW na ito sa pamamagitan, ng kaniyang Anak, na siyang itinalaga na tagapagmana ng lahat ng mga bagay, na sa pamamagitan naman niya'y ginawa ang sanglibutan"

Kitam? Sa mga huling araw e si Kristo na ang Huling Sugo, at ang Huling Sugo na ito ang nagtatag ng Kanyang Iglesia sa Israel noong 33 A.D. nung sinabi Niya,

Mateo 16:18, "At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, na ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesia; at ang mga pintuan ng Hades ay hindi magsisipanaig laban sa kaniya"

Kita mo? Pinabubulaanan ng Biblia ang sinasabi mong may sugo pa ang Diyos sa mga huling araw. Bakit sino ba ang sinasabi mong sugo? Si Eli Soriano na nagtatag ng iglesia niya sa Apalit Pampanga? HA HA HA

Jesus is both God and Man according to the Bible

                                      Stephen seeing the Glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ

There are some people saying, "Jesus is only a man" like the INC of Manalo and others saying that "Jesus is not a man" like Eli Soriano's group, "Members of the Church of God International" or commonly known as "Ang Dating Daan". Here's his statement:

“May mga puntong puwede nating pagkasunduan pagdating sa paniniwalang panrelihiyon. Subalit may mga punto rin maaaring pagkasunduan. Gaya ng paniniwala ng Iglesia ni Cristo na si Kristo’y tao. Kami ay naniniwalang si Kristo ay hindi tao.”

"There are so many points that that can be considered and points that may be considered like the belief of the Iglesia ni Cristo, they believe Christ is a man, but we don't believe that Christ is a man"

Both of the INC of Manalo and the MCGI/ADD fall short of Christ's Nature. Let us see why Jesus is True God and True Man:

1. Christ from the very beginning is equal with the Father

Jesus always emphasized this statement that He was One in Being with the Father, He didn't say directly, "I am God", but there are some of His Words that proved Him such. Like for example, what He said in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was born, I Am". NOTE: The "I Am" is a Name attributed to God alone in Exodus 3:13-14, "But Moses replied, 'When I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you'', they will ask me, 'What is His Name?'', what shall I tell them?' God said, 'I Am Who I Am. You must tell them, the one who is called I AM has sent me to you'". But Jesus used this Name to prove that He is God and One in Being with the Father even before Abraham existed. The Jews knew what He meant when He said John 8:58, so what did they do? John 8:59, "Then they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple". Why then did the Jews attempted many times to kill Him? Not because He claimed to be an angel or a prophet, but He claimed to be God Himself, God in human form. He even said something which angered the Jews once more, "The Father and I are One" (John 10:30), the Jews once again grew angry at this why? "We do not want to stone You because of any good deeds, but because of Your blasphemy! You are only a Man yet You're trying to make Yourself God!" (John 10:33). See? The Jews attempted to kill Him because He is trying to make Himself God.

2. Jesus has the attributes of God

Jesus was often accused of forgiving sins which only God can do. Like in the case of healing the paralytic, He said, "My child, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). How did the Pharisees react to this? They said in Mark 2:7, "Who is this Man who dares say such things? God is the Only One who can forgive sins!", actually that's true, only God can forgive sins, but Jesus as God in the flesh said, "I will prove to you then that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). How come Jesus forgive sins by His Own Power which only God can do? Jesus is God and He can forgive sins.

3. God must be human in order to do away with sin

Ever since our first parents, Adam and Eve sinned, they were separated from God. But God made a plan to set things right, to rescue man from Satan's tyranny and that through faith in Him, they could be forgiven and live with Him forever. The Old Testament prophecies are saying that the Messiah is God Himself as in Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and give birth to a Son, and His Name will be called, 'Emmanuel'" Emmanuel (who is Jesus), what will become of Him then? Isaiah 9:6, "A Child is born to us! A Son is given to us! And He will be our ruler, and His Name shall be called, 'Wonderful', 'Counselor', 'Mighty God', 'Everlasting Father', 'Prince of Peace'". Who is the One who will be called "Mighty God"? The Child who is born named Emmanuel. And if Jesus was not a Man, how come the apostle John, who walked with Him for 3 years say, "The Word became a human being and full of grace and truth, lived among us, we saw His Glory, the Glory which He received as the Father's Only Son"? Was John telling a make up story of an imaginary Jesus? Further, if Jesus was Only a Man, how come the apostle Peter say, "Not to all people but to the witnesses whom God has chosen, that is us, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead"? Was the apostle Peter eating and drinking with a ghost? (Acts 10:41) Now going back to my topic, according to Romans 8:3, "What the Law could not do because human nature is weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending His Own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature to do away with sin". Why did Jesus Christ have a nature like ours? "to do away with sin" Why? Romans 3:20 will answer that, "For by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in His sight for what the Law does is to make man acknowledge his sinfulness". The Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai exposes our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. That is why Jesus lived a holy and victorious life, "Tempted in every way, yet did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15) that is why His death on the Cross is sufficient to pay for our sins. Who but God alone has this unconditional love? Who but God alone, who even though being treated harshly like a lamb to the slaughter still forgave the very people killing Him? Praise our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ for showing such love and mercy to us!!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!

Making the old new: Vatican encourages a recovery of 'apologetics'

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the Catholic Church, it's true that everything old can be new again, and the Vatican wants one of those things to be the art of "apologetics" -- dusted off and updated to respond to new challenges, including those posed by militant atheists.

The term "apologetics" literally means "to answer, account for or defend," and through the 1950s even Catholic high school students were given specific training in responding to questions about Catholicism and challenges to church teaching.

At least in Northern Europe and North America, the effort mainly was a response to Protestantism. Today, while sects and fundamentalist groups challenge Catholics in many parts of the world, almost all Catholics face objections to the idea of belief in general, said Legionary of Christ Father Thomas D. Williams, a professor at Rome's Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University.

Father Williams is author of "Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About God," written in response to the late Christopher Hitchens' book, "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything," and similar works.

Over the past 50 years, apologetics lost its general appeal because "it was considered proselytism," an aggressive attempt to win converts that was replaced by ecumenical dialogue, he said. It didn't help that many Catholics started seeing all religions as equally valid paths to salvation, so they thought it was best to encourage people to live their own faith as best they could without trying to encourage them to consider Christianity.

Among the Regina Apostolorum students, he said, there is a renewed interest in apologetics -- usually covered today under the heading of fundamental theology. "You can change the name, make it gentler and nicer, but you always have to give reasons for your hope and belief," he said.

While there have been scattered attempts to train Catholics to explain their faith to others since Vatican II, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has asked for a more widespread effort to get apologetic material into the hands of Catholics.

In early January, the congregation issued a note on preparing for the Year of Faith, which will begin in October. Addressing national bishops' conferences, the congregation said, "It would be useful to arrange for the preparation of pamphlets and leaflets of an apologetic nature" so that every Catholic could "respond better to the questions which arise in difficult contexts" from sects to moral relativism and from secularism to science and technology.

The congregation included a reference to the biblical admonition from the First Letter of Peter: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope."

The passage continues by saying responses should be given "with gentleness and reverence," which Jesuit Father Felix Korner said means taking the attitude that "the person talking to me has a real question; through the question I discover the deeper grounds of my hope and joy; I try to respond by making myself and our faith understood."

The Jesuit, a theology professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University and expert in Christian-Muslim relations, said, "Apologetics in the restricted, poor, primitive sense later became: 'I learn some answers, and I respond to any question as if it were an attack by refuting the other.'"

To make apologetics part of a true Christian witness, he said, involves "being interested in the newness of the question" posed and "challenged by its rationality, daring to explore deeper my own tradition and hope."

Pope Benedict XVI and the Pontifical Council for Culture have chosen the path of dialogue to explore the issues and objections to faith raised by some secular humanists, atheists and agnostics. The pope invited nonbelievers to his day of dialogue for peace in Assisi last October and the pontifical council has launched a dialogue project called "the Courtyard of the Gentiles" to explore issues raised by experts in the fields of politics, economics, law, literature and the arts.

An effort to combine dialogue and apologetics is found in Catholic Voices, an organization in the United Kingdom that compiles detailed responses to current questions and trains Catholics to present official church teaching civilly and clearly in the media when questions are raised on controversial topics.

The need for articulate Catholics who could remain calm under fire became evident after a 2009 formal debate in England in which Hitchens and the actor Stephen Fry faced off against Nigerian Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja and Ann Widdecombe, a Catholic member of Parliament. The crowd clearly was on the side of Hitchens and Fry, who argued against the motion that "the Catholic Church is a force for good."

Jack Valero, coordinator of Catholic Voices and U.K. press spokesman for Opus Dei, said the group began by trying to respond to objections raised by groups protesting Pope Benedict's 2010 visit to Scotland and England. The issues included homosexuality, contraception, assisted suicide, clerical sexual abuse, abortion, AIDS, same-sex marriage and women in the church.

"Once we had identified the issues, we studied how best to answer them and developed our apologetics materials," Valero said.

But having written responses isn't enough. "If somebody communicates aggressively, which is not a very Christian way to behave, then the message does not come across," he said.