Iglesia ni Cristo’s Four Angels, Four Winds, and the Angel Ascending from the East

Felix Manalo, one of the founders of the Iglesia ni Cristo, claimed that he is the last messenger of God in the last day. To prove that he is a messenger, he made another claim: he said he is the “angel ascending from the east” mentioned in Revelation 7:2-3. The verses say:

And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

In the Iglesia ni Cristo, when they read these verses, especially the phrase “angel ascending from the east,” the summary of that is Felix Manalo, and that he is the one who will do the sealing.

Even in their songs during worship services they mention the “angel ascending from the east.” Although the members don’t fully understand it, when the ministers read the verse, it’s already okay to them. It’s already approved. So their understanding of the verse is very limited.

In Revelation 7:2-3, there are four angels being mentioned whom the angel ascending from the east cried to. In Pasugo, July 1964, page 33, it says that the four angels are the Big Four.

Pasugo, July 1964, p. 33

Excerpt:

Ang apat na anghel na pumipigil sa hangin ay mga pinuno ng bansa, na ito’y mga sugo rin o anghel, ayon sa I Ped. 2:13-14. Ang hanging pinipigil ay digmaan, gaya ng sinasabi sa Jer. 4:11-13,19. Ito nga ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914. Ang apat na pinuno ng bansa na kumatawan sa pagpigil sa digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 ay sina Lloyd George ng Gran Bretanya, Clemenceau ng Pransiya, Orlando ng Italya at Wilson ng Amerika. Sila ay lalong kilala sa tawag na The Big Four (World History, p. 494).

Translation:

The four angels holding the wind are leaders of nations, whom are also messengers or angels, according to I Peter 2:13-14. The wind being held is war, as spoken in Jer. 4:11-13, 19. This is the war that broke in 1914. The four leaders of nations embodying the holding of the war that broke out in 1914 were Lloyd George of Great Britain, Clemenceau of France, Orlando of Italy and Wilson of America. They are better known as The Big Four (World History, p. 494).

Pasugo, official publication of the Iglesia ni Cristo, says the four angels were the Big Four and the wind was the world war that broke out in 1914. This is a deception. We must remember that there are four winds mentioned in the verse, not just one. Let us read where the four winds came from. In Revelation 7:1 –

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

According to this verse, the four angels were standing on the four corners of the earth, and they were already doing something, they were holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The four angels were already positioned, holding the four winds of the earth, when another angel was seen. Who is that another angel? According to the Iglesia ni Cristo, that is Felix Manalo. Granting without accepting, what then is their explanation regarding the four winds?

In the book Doktrina Ikatlong Taon (Doctrine Third Year), written by Eraño Manalo—when you study in INC’s ministerial, this is being taught—there is an outline that explains the four winds:

Excerpt:

(MGA SAGOT SA TULIGSA SA DOKTRINA NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO)

PASIMULA

“KAPAG GINAGAMIT ANG APOCALIPSIS 7:1, ANG 4 NG ANGHEL AY 4 NA SUGO – BAKIT NAMAN SA BANGGIT NA 4 NA HANGIN AY ISANG DIGMAAN LAMANG AT HINDI APAT NA DIGMAAN?”

1.    Ang banggit sa Apoc. 7:1 na 4 na hangin ay hindi tumutukoy sa bilang ng hangin kundi ang uri o pagmumulan ng apat na sulok ng lupa, or ang buong sanlibutan, kaya’t sa katuparan, ang natupad ay hindi apat na digmaan, kundi digmaang pansanlibutan.

Translation:

(ANSWERS TO CRITICISMS TO IGLESIA NI CRISTO DOCTRINES)

INTRODUCTION

“WHEN REVELATION 7:1 IS USED, THE 4 ANGELS ARE FOUR MESSENGERS – WHY IS IT WHEN IT COMES TO THE 4 WINDS THERE IS ONLY ONE WAR AND NOT FOUR WARS?”

1.    In Revelation 7:1, the 4 winds being mentioned do not refer to the number of winds but to the kind or origin of the four corners of the earth, or the whole world, thus in fulfillment, what came to pass are not four wars, but a world war.

This explanation is really a head scratcher. What’s in the Bible is very clear, there are four, four, four – four angels, four winds, four corners of the earth. But Manalo reduced the four winds to one. It’s because he cannot explain the other three. No, rather, all four.

Again, as we have read on page 33 of Pasugo, July 1964 issue, their explanation regarding the wind—which are actually four winds—is war. The fulfillment of that, according to them, is the world war that broke out in 1914. They used the verses Jeremiah 4:11-13, 19. Let us examine the verses.

At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Noticed anything in the verses? In Revelation 7:1-3, there are four winds, whereas in Jeremiah 4:11-13, there is only one wind. Manalo connected the verses which are not related in the manner he wants them to be. In Revelation 7:1, there are four angels holding the four winds from the four corners of the earth, but when Manalo meddled with the verse, he reduced the four winds to only one. That is deception. It’s like holding up people while the sun is high. This Iglesia ni Manalo is really fit to be in their central in Diliman (Central of Darkness), because their explanations are really dark.

Now, in Revelation 7:2, there is another thing that we have to clarify. It says there that the angel ascending from the east shouted to the four angels. The question is, was Felix Manalo able to shout to the Big Four? The Big Four, according to their explanation, are the four angels. In the Bible, the four angels were already there before the angel ascending from the east was seen. If the angel ascending from the east was Felix Manalo, was he able to shout to the four angels which he says are the Big Four? Let us look at the real events. When was the Big Four formed? In The History of the World, page 644:

Although it remained neutral at first, in 1915 Italy made a secret agreement with France and Britain and was promised a territory in Austria and Africa. Italy then joined the war on the Allied side, and fighting broke out on the Austrian-Italian border.

Italy joined the war in 1915. When did America join?

In April 1917, the United States declared war on Germany with President Wilson stating that his aim was to make the world safe for democracy.

America joined in 1917. That was the real event. And that is contrary to what happened to Manalo, because he was already shouting even as early as 1913 when the Big Four was not yet formed. Manalo’s explanation doesn’t fit the real events, neither the four angels in the Bible. Manalo was too early; he was already shouting, but those supposedly being shouted at were not yet there. In the Bible, the four angels were already there before another angel cried out with a loud voice. That is very clear in the Bible.

This Felix Manalo never hits the spot. But what else should you expect? He is the messenger who will come in the last day, or the day of the resurrection of the dead; the one who laid hands on him are pastors of different religions whom he says are of the devil; and he was not baptized in his own church; what will you hope that he would teach? He will never hit the spot. If he isn’t too late, he is too early. He has no sense of time.

Another thing that is noticeable in their doctrine is this: The four winds, which they say is the world war, were being held by the four angels, in other words, they were being controlled so that the war won’t happen. But didn’t the war break out, hence the First World War? So Manalo’s shouting was useless. The four winds were released. Actually, Felix Manalo went through an awful lot of wars including the Second World War. He’s useless. That is because, in the first place, he is not the angel ascending from the east written in Revelation 7:2.

The Secret Behind Felix Manalo’s Ordination

In the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo, members generally understand the laying on of hands as ordination. A minister who already graduated in New Era University (the educational institution of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines), to be a full-pledged minister, he must be ordained through the laying on of hands. The one who officiates the laying on of hands is the executive minister, Eraño Manalo.

So, basically, the laying on of hands means ordination. That is the members’ general understanding. Once a minister has been laid hands on, he is already ordained. And if you happen to be one of the selected choir members to sing in an ordination ceremony, you will really see Eraño Manalo perform the laying on of hands.

Even in chapels, when a worker prays after the worship service, you will see that his hands are held down. But if you see that his hands are held up, that worker is already an ordained minister. In Pasugo, June 1977, pictured in the cover are ministers of the Iglesia Ni Manalo being ordained, kneeling down before Eraño Manalo who performs the laying on of hands.

So the process of giving authority to a minister in the Iglesia Ni Manalo is by ordination through the laying on of hands. The one who ordains is Eraño Manalo. The question is: who ordained Eraño Manalo? Who laid hands on him and gave him authority over the church?

In Liwanag Illustrated Magazine, another publication of the Iglesia Ni Cristo:

“Published by Iglesia ni Cristo. Head Office: Central Office of the Iglesia ni Cristo, No. 1 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, Philippines. Third issue. Copyright 1999.”

On page 45:

Excerpt:

Si kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo ay naordenahan bilang ministro noong Mayo 10, 1947.

Translation:

Brother Felix Manalo was ordained a minister on May 10, 1947.

>>>>>>>

In the illustration, the one kneeling down is Eraño Manalo as he was being ordained by his father Felix Manalo. He was ordained on May 10, 1947, his father’s birthday. Now we know it was Felix Manalo who ordained his son Eraño Manalo. But this information is not enough. We must investigate further who laid hands on and ordained Felix Manalo himself, the founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

The laying of hands on Felix Manalo is never being taught in the worship services of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Even those who were “offered”, or people who have been INC members almost all their lives, never hear of any topic regarding this. No matter how active an INC member you are, even if you have a duty in the locale and never absent yourself during Thursday and Sunday services, even if you have studied in the evangelical ministry in New Era University, you will not hear of any topic about anyone who had laid hands on and ordained Felix Manalo. Inside the domain of the Iglesia Ni Manalo, no such topic is ever being discussed!

Why is that so? Why is it not being taught to the members? Why is it not being taught by the ministers, pastors, division administrators, or even by Eraño Manalo? Is it not important to know who laid hands on and ordained the founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo? What is really the meaning of ordination according to their ministers?

In a special edition of Pasugo, titled “75 Blessed Years of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO”, published on July 27, 1989, on pages 154-155:

Excerpt:

The Laying On Of Hands
Ordination to the sacred ministry is the election by God of men who are to propagate the Word to reconcile man with his Creator. The laying on of the hands of the elder or Church Administrator is an investiture of the divine and holy character that elevates the ordinand to a position of dignity and honor, giving him the privilege to offer God his best service and the power and authority to lead the Church congregation in public worship.

>>>>>>>

That says it all. Ordination or the laying on of hands is giving a minister “the power and authority to lead the Church congregation in public worship.” That’s according to their official publication. That is how important to the Iglesia ni Cristo the laying on of hands is. Therefore, it is equally important to know who laid hands on Felix Manalo and gave him authority over the church. But before we acquaint ourselves with them, let us examine first what Felix Manalo’s belief is regarding those who are authorized to lay hands. Are the any requirements?

In Pasugo, March 1939, page 17:

“…only those elected by God by means of prophecy or direct calling can lay hands.” This is the belief of Felix Manalo, published in their official magazine. So if anyone laid hands on Felix Manalo, he must have been elected by God by means of prophecy or direct calling, according to Pasugo. Let us confirm.

Here is a document from the Iglesia Ni Cristo which contains information concerning Felix Manalo’s ordination.

This is an invitation to an event held by the Iglesia ni Kristo which includes the programme. An excerpt of the introductory part on the left page translates in English as:

“Gentlemen: We cordially invite your majesty to the celebration concerning the THANKSGIVING due to the FIFTH YEAR LIFE of “IGLESIA NI KRISTO” in the Philippines and the LAYING OF HANDS on brother Felix Manalo in the duty of Pastor and Administrator of the Church.”

What was to take place in the event? “…the LAYING OF HANDS on brother Felix Manalo in the duty of Pastor and Administrator of the Church.” So someone laid hands on Felix Manalo. But why is this not being taught to the members? Why are they keeping the details secret? The answer is in the document. On the right page, no. 7, they have enumerated the names of those who laid hands on and ordained Felix Manalo.

Here’s the translation:

“7. The laying of hands on brother Felix Manalo will be officiated by Bishops and Pastors of different Churches established in the Archipelago, of whom are the Reverend Alejandro Reyes, Victoriano Mariano, Gil Domingo, Guillermo Zarco, Nicolas Fajardo, Emiliano Quijano and Roque Bautista.”

“Bishops and Pastors of different Churches,” they are the ones who laid hands on Felix Manalo. This is the reason why the ordination of Felix Manalo is never being taught or discussed in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. It is shameful and terrifying!

Imagine, those who laid hands on your “messenger” are pastors of different religions! Can you swallow that? That is the reason why it is being kept secret from the members. What members know is that God gave Felix Manalo authority to lead the church. But is that really the case? Let us examine further.

The one who ordains ministers in the Iglesia ni Cristo is Eraño Manalo, who was ordained by his father Felix Manalo, who was ordained by pastors of different religions established in the Philippines. It’s like a chain reaction. But what is the viewpoint of Felix Manalo towards protestant pastors and preachers of other religious groups? I bet you already have an idea. But let us consult the incontestable evidence, the official magazine of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

In Pasugo, August 1961, page 39:

TRANSLATION:

“At the end of this publication, we now ought to reject the catholic priests and the protestant pastors, for they are ministers of satan. We also ought to reject the Catholic Church and the different protestant churches, for they are not of God, but of satan or the devil. Rejecting them and their erroneous doctrines is your obedience to God, to Christ and to the Apostles.”

>>>>>>>

Those who laid hands on Felix Manalo, the “Bishops and Pastors of different Churches” who gave him “the power and authority to lead the Church congregation” are “not of God, but of satan or the devil.” All these are according to their own publications.

Now you know why it is kept secret who laid hands on Felix Manalo. Only fools will join an organization whose leader was ordained by satan. Their members know well their doctrine that catholic priests are of the devil, because it is always being preached in their worship services. And yet the same catholic priests and protestant pastors whom they accuse of being of satan are the ones who laid hands on Felix Manalo. If they won’t keep this secret, their members will really evacuate.

Eraño Manalo: the Messenger after the End of the World

In the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo, to whom did they attribute the term “last messenger”? In Pasugo, July 1956, page 13:

Excerpt:

Naliwanagan natin na may sugo ang Diyos sa Huling Araw, at ito’y si kapatid na Felix Manalo na siyang nangaral ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas simula noong 1914, ayon sa bisa at kapangyarihan ng hula. Si kapatid na Felix Manalo ang huling sugo ng Diyos bago dumating ang katapusan ng sanlibutan.

Translation:

We have clarified that there is a messenger of God in the Last Day, and this is Brother Felix Manalo who had preached the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines starting in 1914, according to the efficacy and power of the prophecy. Brother Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God before the end of the world comes.

>>>>>>>

So Felix Manalo is the last messenger, according to the official magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. This means that until the end of the world no one else should follow him as messenger.  Last means no one else follows after. This is in conformity with their succeeding statements in the same publication.

>>>>>>>

Excerpt:

Bakit natin natitiyak na siya ang huling sugo? Sapagka’t sinabi ng Diyos sa hula ni Isaias 41:4, “Sinong gumawa at yumari, na tumawag ng mga sali’t saling lahi mula ng una? Akong Panginoon, ang una, at kasama ng huli, ako nga,” Ayon sa hula, ang sugong tinutukoy ay huling sugo, kung bakit, dahil sa banggit na “kasama ng huli.” Ito ang huling sugo sa panahong Kristiyano, at ang susunod sa kanyang pangangaral ay ang katapusan ng sanlibutan o paghuhukom.

Translation:

Why are we sure that he is the last messenger? Because God said in the prophecy of Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.” According to the prophecy, the messenger referred to is the last messenger, because of the term “with the last.” This is the last messenger in the Christian era, and following his preaching is the end of the world or judgment day.

>>>>>>>

INC members believe this, that Felix Manalo is the last messenger because this is the doctrine being taught to them. The question is, if Felix Manalo is the last messenger, what is Eraño Manalo’s role now? If nothing comes after the last, what is Eraño Manalo doing in the Iglesia Ni Cristo? What is his duty? What is his authority?

In the Iglesia Ni Manalo, one who is not a messenger of God has no authority to preach. This is their belief published in Pasugo, May 2003, page 10:

“The one who must preach is a messenger of God”, that is the title of the article. So what is Eraño Manalo now? Is he a messenger? Is he a preacher? Their doctrine is clear: the last messenger of God in the last day is Felix Manalo. But Felix Manalo is already dead; what now makes that of Eraño Manalo? They don’t mention him as messenger in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. But do they believe that Eraño Manalo is also a messenger? Of course! They must. Otherwise Eraño Manalo has no authority to preach, because their doctrine clearly states: “The one who must preach is a messenger of God.”

In reality and in effect, Eraño Manalo is acknowledged as a messenger in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, because he does the things that Felix Manalo did when the latter was still alive. Felix Manalo practiced the laying on of hands to “ordain” a minister, Eraño Manalo also practices the laying on of hands in the same manner.

Pasugo, June 1977

They cannot deny that they believe Eraño Manalo is also a messenger. He is the present executive minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo; he makes the outlines of topics being preached in their church; and from him comes out all the rules and policies being implemented; of course he must be, according to their own belief, a messenger. In fact, Eraño Manalo is not just a preacher, but a teacher to preachers or workers in their church. So if he is a preacher, then he must be, according to their official publication, a messenger, otherwise he has no authority to preach.

Their big problem now is this: how come Eraño Manalo is also a messenger when their doctrine clearly states that Felix Manalo is the last messenger? To say that this doctrine is confusing is an understatement. It is ridiculous, illogical, and most of all unbiblical. Obviously, they don’t understand the meaning of the word “last”. A child understands better. When you say to a child that that is the “last”, he knows that nothing comes after it. But the “last messenger” in the Iglesia Ni Manalo has successors.

If you are a member of the Iglesia Ni Manalo, you will wonder, what kind of last is Felix Manalo? Why is there another one after him? In the Central Office of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, employees do not call Eraño Manalo a messenger, but executive minister, just to play safe. But it is clear that they acknowledge him as messenger, because he is the one preaching; and again, the one who preaches must be a messenger of God.

In the Bible, Apostle Paul confirms that one cannot preach the gospel unless he was sent by God. Romans 10:14-15 says:

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”

So what is Eraño Manalo’s role again? Is he a preacher? Is he a messenger? Ministers of the Iglesia Ni Manalo do not mention or teach to their members that Eraño Manalo is a messenger, but they do acknowledge him as one; otherwise he will have no authority to preach. Eraño Manalo is the messenger after the “last” messenger Felix Manalo. And Felix Manalo will be sent in the “last” day. According to their Pasugo, Felix Manalo “is the last messenger in the Christian era, and following his preaching is the end of the world or judgment day.”

So if Eraño is the next messenger after Felix Manalo, that means Eraño Manalo is the messenger after the end of the world.

Felix Manalo Scrambles 1914, Wrestles Isaiah 41:4, Inserts “Last Messenger” Doctrine

Let us talk about Felix Manalo. In Pasugo, July 1970, page 19, it says:

Excerpt:

Ang paglitaw ng sugo ng Diyos sa huling araw ay kaalinsabay ng unang digmaang pandaigdig.

Translation:

The appearance of the messenger of God at the last day coincides with the First World War.

>>>>>>>

The First World War occurred in 1914. No need to open a World History book. If we analyze the statement in Pasugo (Iglesia Ni Cristo’s official magazine), that “the appearance of the messenger of God at the last day coincides with the First World War,” we will see that this piece of information is a grave mistake.

How can the last day and the First World War coincide? That’s impossible! If we consider the Bible, what event will take place at the last day? John 6:44 says –

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The Bible said that those whom the Father drew near our Lord Jesus Christ will the Lord raise up at the last day. So the last day in the Bible is the resurrection of the dead. To prove this, John 11:23-24 says –

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

The last day is the resurrection of the dead, according to the Lord Jesus Christ. How then can the last day coincide with the First World War when the First World War happened in 1914? They should have used the term “last days” instead of “last day”, so that the statement becomes: “The appearance of the messenger of God at the last days…” This means that in one of the last days the messenger will appear. But this is not the case in their Pasugo. They have specifically indicated “last day.”

The last day is where the resurrection of the dead will happen. If Felix Manalo will only appear on that day, his appearance is already useless. Not only once did the ministers of the Iglesia Ni Manalo teach that “Felix Manalo is the messenger at the last day.” Even in their historical market in Punta, Sta. Ana, they had placed there “messenger of God at the last day.”

Felix Manalo is already too late if he is the messenger at the last day. If he will only appear when the dead are already rising, he’s being a messenger is useless. Maybe they made a mistake here. But we cannot say that this is typographical error that they used “last day” and not “last days”, because in many of their publications they have always indicated that their brother Felix Manalo is the messenger at the last day. If fact, they even have a publication stating that Felix Manalo is the “last messenger” of God at the last day. In Pasugo May-June 1983 issue, they even placed images of Felix Manalo.

Translation:

Brother Felix Y. Manalo: Last Messenger of God

>>>>>>>

To attribute the term “Last Messenger” to Felix Manalo is not in accordance with the Bible. Felix Manalo cannot be the last messenger. If we consider God’s messengers and His salvation, Felix Manalo can never be the last. Let us read who will be sent by God unto the work of salvation last. Matthew 24:29-30 says –

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

If we consider the termination or the end part of the work of salvation, who is the last messenger whom God will send? The end part of the work of salvation is when Christ will get his disciples who will be saved. He will come down here on earth. So if we speak of the messenger of God, is there anyone who will come last other than Christ? Let us read John 14:1-3:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

When will this take place? I Thessalonians 4:16-17 says:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

So, Christ is the one to do the last act of salvation. He will get His disciples and remove them here on earth. They will be caught up in the air. How then can Felix Manalo be the last messenger of God at the last day?

Obviously, the messenger of the Iglesia Ni Manalo doesn’t know how to use the word “last”. If Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God, then Eraño Manalo is not anymore a messenger of God. If Eraño Manalo is a messenger, then Felix Manalo is not the last messenger. Isn’t it that nothing comes after the last?

When Christ said that He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, definitely He is the last of the last. But they have attributed to Felix Manalo the title of Christ! The description that is only applicable to Christ they have used to Felix Manalo that is why they have erred. If Felix Manalo is the last messenger, it would mean that all other preachers in the Iglesia Ni Manalo are not messengers of God. All those preachers taught by Felix Manalo, and all those being taught by Eraño Manalo are not messengers of God since Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God, according to them. And yet Felix Manalo is already dead.

If Felix Manalo will be sent at the last day, he is already late. So it’s too late for him, because the last day is the resurrection of the dead. Felix Manalo is the last messenger? It should have been “the messenger who was too late”. What will you profit from Felix Manalo if he comes at the last day while the dead is already being resurrected? He is not needed there.

Felix Manalo did not emerge at the last day; he emerged in 1913. He started preaching in 1913. He is not the messenger of God in the last day. The messenger in the last day is Christ, because He is the last to come here on earth to get those who will be worthy of salvation. So Christ is the last messenger in the last day, not Felix Manalo.

Even so, let us analyze their basis in saying that Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God. In Pasugo, July 1956, page 13:

Excerpt:

Naliwanagan natin na may sugo ang Diyos sa Huling Araw, at ito’y si kapatid na Felix Manalo na siyang nangaral ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas simula noong 1914, ayon sa bisa at kapangyarihan ng hula. Si kapatid na Felix Manalo ang huling sugo ng Diyos bago dumating ang katapusan ng sanlibutan. Bakit natin natitiyak na siya ang huling sugo? Sapagka’t sinabi ng Diyos sa hula ni Isaias 41:4, “Sinong gumawa at yumari, na tumawag ng mga sali’t saling lahi mula ng una? Akong Panginoon, ang una, at kasama ng huli, ako nga,” Ayon sa hula, ang sugong tinutukoy ay huling sugo, kung bakit, dahil sa banggit na “kasama ng huli.”

Translation:

We have clarified that there is a messenger of God in the Last Day, and this is brother Felix Manalo who preached the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines starting in 1914, according to the efficacy and power of the prophecy. Brother Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God before the end of the world comes. Why are we sure that he is the last messenger? Because God said in the prophecy of Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.” According to the prophecy, the messenger referred to is the last messenger, because of the term “with the last.”

>>>>>>>

When they read the word “last”, they apply it to Felix Manalo. They will ask, “Who is the last? That is the last messenger of God.” But if you look close enough, you’ll see that there is no “last messenger” mentioned in Isaiah 41:4. They just inserted it. That is how they have wrestled the verse.

“Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?” The Lord. What had He wrought and done and called from the beginning? The generations. The Lord had called the generations from the beginning, and He is with the last, which last? Last messenger? No. It is the last generation. Therefore, God calls the generations from the first generation to the last generation. If He abided with the first generation that He called, until the last generation which He will call He will abide.

There is no “messenger” mentioned in Isaiah 41:4. These Iglesia Ni Manalo ministers are presumptuous and careless in using terms that are not biblical.

“End of the Earth” and “Ends of the Earth”: Dissecting the Doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Cristo

What is the understanding of the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo about the expressions “end of the earth” and “ends of the earth”?

Basically, whether it’s “end of the earth” or “ends of the earth”, the Iglesia Ni Manalo is talking about time, and that time concerns the appearance of their last messenger, Felix Manalo. Without being hypocritical though, a member of the Iglesia Ni Manalo will admit that in their church, these doctrines “end of the earth” and “ends of the earth” are vague.

A book written by Eraño Manalo says that there is a difference between the two expressions; they mean two different things. In “Ang Mga Pangunahing Doktrina ng Biblia” (The Fundamental Doctrines of the Bible), published in 1995, page 64:

Translation:

178. Are the expressions “end of the earth” and “ends of the earth” synonymous? No. The expressions “ends of the earth” and “end of the earth” are not the same. The end of the earth is the second coming of Christ.

>>>>>>>

The two expressions are different, Eraño Manalo said; and the meaning of the “end of the earth” is the second coming of Christ. In the Iglesia Ni Manalo, the second coming of Christ means the Judgment Day, which is the end of the world where everything will be consumed by fire. This doctrine stretches one’s curiosity, especially so if you are acquainted with the history and contents of their Pasugo.

In Pasugo (Iglesia Ni Cristo’s official magazine), published on July 1956, on page 7, Pedro Reyes Villanueva wrote the article “Ang Huling Sugo Ng Diyos Sa Wakas Ng Lupa” (The Last Messenger of God at the End of the Earth). Villanueva was a minister during the administration of Felix Manalo. According to Felix Manalo’s teaching to Villanueva, as the latter wrote, “Brother Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God at the end of the earth.” Mind you, he did not write “ends of the earth.”

Eraño Manalo said the expressions “end of the earth” and “ends of the earth” are not the same. What does the expression “end of the earth” mean again according to Eraño? “The end of the earth is the second coming of Christ.”

If we are to consider logic, Felix Manalo and Eraño Manalo’s doctrines would clearly contradict each other. What Felix Manalo taught before would not coincide with what Eraño Manalo teaches today—that is, if we are to consider logic.

Pasugo says, “Brother Felix Manalo is the last messenger of God at the end of the earth.” This is the teaching of Felix Manalo; the time he shall appear is at the “end of the earth.” But the teaching of his son Eraño Manalo says the “end of the earth” is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which they believe to be the judgment day or end of the world.

Does this mean that Felix Manalo will only appear at the last day which is the judgment day or the end of the world? If that is the case, to whom is Felix Manalo going to preach then? Isn’t he too late to be a messenger if he is going to be sent at the last day? HELLO! WAKE UP GEORGE! This is the kind of doctrine that doesn’t need sarcasm to be humiliating. It is void of logic at best. Let us confirm.

In the Iglesia Ni Manalo’s doctrinal handbook, Mga Pangunahing Aral Na Sinasampalatayanan Ng Iglesia Ni Kristo (The Fundamental Doctrines the Iglesia Ni Kristo Believes In), published in 1989, on page 35:

Translation:

LESSON NO. 8

Brother Felix Manalo: Messenger of God in the Last Day

Topic: Brother Felix Manalo is the messenger of God in the last day.

>>>>>>>

This topic confirms our deduction from Felix Manalo’s doctrine that he “is the last messenger of God at the end of the earth,” and from Eraño Manalo’s doctrine that the “end of the earth” is the second coming of Christ. In this respect, Felix and Eraño are not contradicting each other, and their doctrines are in complete harmony. The only problem is, their doctrines harmonize in stupidity; like father like son.

Imagine, Felix Manalo is the messenger of God in the last day? Note that they used the words “last day”, not “last days”; which means, until now Felix Manalo has not been sent yet to preach since it is not yet the last day. Poor guy; he died before he can even be sent to preach. Good luck at the last day.

You see, if you are in the Iglesia Ni Manalo, you will not notice these things. These things are not taught in details in the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo. Members do not care for nuances in biblical terminologies. They were trained to brush aside their questions and doubts. If the minister says this is the meaning of doctrine-this, the member will just say “amen”; if the minister says this is the meaning of doctrine-that, the member will always just say “amen”, without practicing logic and critical thinking.

Now, it is common knowledge in the Iglesia Ni Manalo that whenever they speak of “end of the earth” or “ends of the earth”, they refer to time, not place. And we have evidence to support this. This doctrine was published in their Pasugo, September 1953, on page 32, authored by Felipe Aguilar.

Excerpt:

May mga tumututol sa amin na yaon daw salitang “Mga Wakas Ng Lupa”, ay tumutukoy raw sa dako, samakatuwid isang lugal. Ang gayong pagtutol ay aming igagalang kailanma’t may matibay na pinagsasaligan. Datapuwa’t kung wala, ang gayong pagtutol ay ibibilang naming isang kamangmangan. Bakit kami naniniwalang hindi dako o isang lugal ang tinutukoy ng pariralang “Mga Wakas Ng Lupa?” Sapagka’t ayon sa siyensiya ang mundo ay hindi lapad (flat) kundi bilog.

Translation:

There are those who contest us saying that the expression “Ends of the Earth” refers to place. We shall respect such objection whenever there is firm basis. But if there isn’t, we shall dismiss it as foolishness. Why do we believe that the phrase “Ends of the Earth” does not refer to place? Because according to science, the earth is not flat but round.

>>>>>>>

This is the explanation of Pasugo. According to their official publication, they do not believe that the expression “ends of the earth” refers to place, but to time. However, this belief of the Iglesia Ni Manalo was changed later on. In Pasugo published on March 1998, on page 5, authored by Tomas C. Catangay:

Excerpt:

The Scriptures specify that the calling of God’s sons and daughters from the Far East would begin at the “ends of the earth.” The expression “ends of the earth” PERTAINS BOTH TO PLACE AND TIME.

>>>>>>>

After 45 years, the Iglesia Ni Manalo decided to change its doctrine. Just like what they said in their earlier Pasugo, that they shall respect those who contest them—whenever there is firm basis—so they did. Having been attentively listening to and recording Bro. Eli Soriano’s preaching, their condition was satisfied: a firm basis of belief. Thus, they changed their own belief. This is just one of the vague and variable doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Manalo which must be exposed.

Felix Manalo: Messenger of God in the Last Day?

In the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo, if you were a “handog” or “offered” (someone who was born when both parents are already members of the church), in the worship service of the youth you will experience proclaiming that Felix Manalo is the messenger of God in the last day. When you are baptized, you will be screened, and one of the foremost questions is: Who is the messenger of God? You will again have to answer that. By the time you have your own mind, having been baptized perhaps at only 12 years old, only then you begin to question, Is Felix Manalo really a messenger of God?

So why did you acknowledge Manalo as the messenger of God?

There is a verse in the Bible that is always being preached in the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo when it is being proven that Felix Manalo is a messenger of God: I Corinthians 1:27. The verse says, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”

They say that there was a time when Felix Manalo was very brave in debates and would face those with educational attainment while he had none. This allegedly proves Manalo’s being a messenger. This is what’s inculcated in the minds of the members. And they would cite many verses to support their claim, after which they would compare them with “real” events. However, those days ended upon the arrival of Bro. Eli Soriano.

The “sugo” or “messenger” doctrine is one of the foremost doctrines being taught in the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo. The understanding of the members regarding the messenger is that: Whatever the messenger says, that is the will of God. Whatever he says is from God, which was relayed to him. That is why the members thought highly of Felix Manalo. That is how their minds were conditioned.

The following is an interview with a former member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo shown in the television program D’ X-Man. He recounts his experiences in his former church.

D’ X-Man is a 30-minute program in UNTV whose hosts are former members of the Iglesia Ni Manalo.

>>>>>>>

D’ X-Man: You were registered in Dau when you were still in the Iglesia Ni Cristo?

Former INC member: Yes.

D’ X-Man: How many years were you in…?

Former INC member: Three and a half years. But I turned my back because when I brought a Bible in the chapel I was reprimanded by the deacon.

D’ X-Man: Don’t bring a Bible in the chapel, bring comics instead.

Former INC member: Also, in the chapel, I was a cook. When we cook, there is Tanduay, wine and cigarettes. That’s what I didn’t like. So, I didn’t attend worship services anymore. I was always being visited for individual service. On Thursday, someone visits; on Sunday, there was none. So, it’s not good.

D’ X-Man: How old are you now?

Former INC member: 57.

D’ X-Man: So, you also believed that Manalo was sent by God?

Former INC member: Of course; that is the doctrine. That is what you have to say when someone asks, “Who’s the messenger?” Felix Manalo. That is never absent in their questions.

>>>>>>>

The name Felix Manalo is tied with the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Their church will not be formed if there is no Felix Manalo, and if you won’t believe that he is the messenger. You have to acknowledge him that he is the messenger. You will not be baptized if you don’t, because there is a screening before baptism.

Even if it’s not in your heart, even if you were just tagged along by your parents, even if you were not a handog or offered, you will be asked, “What’s the reason why you are joining the Iglesia Ni Cristo?” That’s number 1 in their list. Immediately, the next question is: “Who is the messenger in the last day?” You have to know the “correct” answer. And there is also another question, “How many gods are there?” That is also being asked.

However, the deciding question is, “Is Christ God?” If you answer “yes”, then you will not be baptized. The crux of that is Manalo’s being a messenger and an angel, and Christ is a mere man.

Here are testimonies from the hosts of D’ X-Man program concerning the “messenger” doctrine:

>>>>>>>

Nedie Español: I was 9 years old then when I was indoctrinated. I was sleepy because I just came from school. I was in elementary. So I was sleepy, but that Ka Damaso Banaag, the one who indoctrinated me, had to have someone baptized, so I was forced to be indoctrinated. But I remember clearly there were only two questions the old man asked me, because he was my father’s friend. He asked me, “What is Christ?” I said, “Man.” So, I passed. Then, “Who is the messenger in the last day?” “Brother Felix Manalo.” So I was baptized. So, at that time, I already acknowledged him as the messenger, because that is also the faith of my father and mother, whom, we could say, are really fanatics.

What changed my belief in the messenger is Ka Romy [Español]. Because Ka Romy was a minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, and that cannot be denied by anyone. Of course, you were with him for 20 years, of course you will talk, he will tell secrets, he will tell things unknown to many. Sometimes, there were drinking sessions in the house…

[Romy Español was a former Iglesia Ni Manalo minister at the rank of a pastor who was converted to the Members Church of God International. He was the husband of Nedie Español and one of the many sons of Felix Manalo. For more of Nedie Español’s story, click here.]

Lydia Manuyag: When circulars come in our locales, they say that those are from the administration, from the messenger. So, even if there is no Bible verse, they will read the circular, and whatever is there, since it’s from the messenger, the members must follow. If you don’t follow that circular from the messenger, that is a grave sin. We really thought highly of him.

[Lydia Manuyag is a former treasurer of 22 regions in the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo.]

Cesar Adamos: That is really the first thing that they teach us. You know why? That is why we believed in everything he said because that is the first thing that was planted in our minds, because if you believe that a person is a messenger of God, whatever he teaches, even if he uses the Bible correctly, or he would cut short, or not, we don’t mind that. That is the messenger. That is also why we don’t read the Bible anymore.

Manny Jusay: You know, Bro. Arnel, the truth is, when I was young, the messenger was still alive. I was born in 1947 [Felix Manalo died in April 1963]. Bro. Felix Manalo officiated worship service in our place. I saw him personally, the old Manalo. He was already feeble climbing up the pulpit. He was very old. And because our parents taught us that he is the messenger, I was really eager to hear his preaching. And the reader – Manalo said, “Read!” – you know who? Ka Erdie. Ka Erdie was the reader. When I saw Felix Manalo, and Ka Erdie was also there, my heart was really delighted that time, even in my tender years, because I have seen the messenger. It’s like that. So I grew up believing that the messenger of God is Brother Felix Manalo.

Arnel Sangle: It’s only Ka Erdie that I have seen in person. In my belief that he is the messenger, I said, I would like to see even just his shadow. I was forcing my way into the crowd, but it was very difficult. That was really the case if you didn’t hear Brother Eli; he was really the messenger—IF YOU DIDN’T HEAR BRO. ELI.

Marcos Mataro: The truth is, when I was still in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, I really defended it. When I was conducting indoctrination, my favorite doctrine to teach is Manalo’s being a messenger. You know why all the more I believed that Felix Manalo is the messenger? I remember the preaching of Bro. Daniel Lapid, that because of the messenger, salvation came. The first cry of salvation is because of the messenger in Punta, Sta. Ana. If there is no messenger, there is no salvation to Filipinos. If there is no messenger, there is no real doctrine.

We thought of him highly, indeed. Even I, before, when I was once asked by a professor, “If Bro. Felix Manalo will come back to life today…” that was a question in a qualifying exam. For example, you’re in first year, for you to reach second year in the workers’ ministry, in BEM, Bachelor of Evangelical Ministry, one of the questions of the professor was, “If Bro. Felix Manalo would resurrect today, what will you do? My answer was like this: Then I will thank God because I have seen Bro. Felix Manalo alive, and I will embrace him because he is the one who gave me understanding, and he was the one who taught me. He is the messenger that is why I am here.

[Marcos Mataro was the foremost critic of the Iglesia Ni Manalo in the program D’ X-Man. He was murdered on April 27, 2008, shot point-blank 6 times in the forehead, right eye, neck, and chest in Apalit, Pampanga. He was murdered exactly two years after members of Ang Dating Daan were mauled by members of the Iglesia Ni Manalo outside Jollibee in Apalit. Mataro's murderers are still at large, although identified with the same religion he used to criticize.]

Larry Erfillo: I, as one who was offered, and this is the experience of those who were offered—when you say “offered”, that’s from 12 years old and below—so what does an 11 year-old know? You will be offered, but you don’t know much about those things. And then you will be baptized, okay, but before you get baptized, you have to acknowledge him as the messenger, and you will really acknowledge him, but your understanding lacks. But because you were taught from childhood, and they were using verses, you will really believe. Only afterward as you grow up that you realize these things.

This was my observation, as you already know I was from the Central Office where the Manalo clan lives, the clan of messengers. It’s like this, until now when they mention the “messenger”, they do not tell the members what the true life of the messenger was. They will say, the messenger was persecuted, oppressed, and everything in the Bible that is meant for the preacher of God they will fit to Felix Manalo. But in truth, that is not what’s happening. So, we believed that he is the messenger because we were not told of the true condition of Felix Manalo’s life.

Regarding my turning point, I can share a little. Although I already have doubts when I was still in the Iglesia Ni Manalo, when they read the verses, it’s as if they fit [to Manalo], because they don’t tell us what other things he did. What is being taught to us is that Felix Manalo was like this and like that, that he was being oppressed, everything that they want to fit to his person. But I realized when I came to the Central, I saw that their lives were not like that, the messenger and his clan. So I told myself, this doesn’t fit. So I started to search.

I will cite one, although there are many, it is clear [in the Bible] that a preacher sent of God is poor, he sacrifices and does not live luxuriously like a king or a prince. This is the opposite of what we see. So, that was what I was looking for. If this person is really a messenger sent of God, that verse should fit him. Let us say that he did experience riding a boat without money, but how about the Apostle Paul, as a preacher sent of God, when did he say that his tribulations are going to end? When he was about to die. But this messenger Felix Manalo and his clan, while they are still alive, are they suffering tribulations? Do they experience hardships, if they really are the ones to whom the verse fit? No. Only the members suffer hardships.

>>>>>>>

Although they justify that since Felix Manalo experienced hardships in the early stage of his ministry he ought to have material abundance and blessings later on his life, that reasoning is not biblical. In the Bible, when you are a true preacher of God, from the start of your ministry until you die you are poor, you will not become rich. In 1 Corinthians 4:11, it says –

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;”

That was the condition of Apostle Paul’s life. And Paul also has an admonition to Timothy, the minister of Christ who shall succeed him in leading the brethren. Paul reminds him of the dangers of desiring to be rich. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says –

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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.”

Along with these biblical principles, how can a preacher of God become rich when he is commanded by God to do good unto all men? Galatians 6:10 says –

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

You cannot be rich if you are a true preacher of God in the Christian Era. How can you be rich when there’s so much good things that you have to do? Like putting up orphanages, free hospital and medical missions, aiding the less-fortunate by granting their little dreams, offering free legal assistance, putting up transient homes, free bus rides and everything that is good in the sight of God. These are the treasures Christians are commanded to lay up in heaven, not the earthly treasures the Manalo clan has accumulated.

Felix Manalo, Eraño Manalo and Eduardo Manalo are definitely not messengers of God. They are messengers of satan, the devil. That is why they have become rich. In the Iglesia Ni Manalo, what they do is brainwashing. You will be taught repeatedly until you receive the “messenger” doctrine. And that doctrine will be reinforced again and again in your life until you have become a hardcore fanatic, without truly understanding the doctrines of Christ.

The Variable, Loose and Weak Doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo

The Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo is one religion that gropes in the dark when it comes to doctrines. Their teachings may be called “ala-chamba” – marked by great uncertainty.

The doctrine of “holy kiss” has been interpreted by this church. And guess what, they copied their explanation from the Protestants. Eraño Manalo, INC executive minister, has no intrinsic doctrine regarding the holy kiss. Even his deceased father, Felix Manalo, founder of INC, wasn’t able to teach him and his son Eduardo anything about the holy kiss. If Felix Manalo had any explanation, why would his ministers copy the explanation of the Protestants? They just copied the doctrine of pastors of other religion, which they teach to their members, while they themselves are not sure of its validity. Their teachings are variable, loose and weak.

For actuality, here is the video of Iglesia Ni Manalo ministers picking up doctrinal explanations from the Protestant:

TRANSLATION:

Ramil Parba: In your question earlier, this is the explanation of those who examined the meaning of the holy kiss.

Michael Sandoval: Yes.

Ramil Parba: Here. Translated to our language, from Wycliffe Bible Commentary, page 1225. “Whatever in modern culture is symbolic of the deep affection Christians ought to feel toward each other – a kiss on the cheek, a warm handshake, a grasping of both hands – is the equivalent of the apostolic command.” This is the fruit of the examination of those who study the Bible, Brother Michael, regarding Romans 16:16, our stand is that the holy kiss, a manner of greeting, in other countries is beso-beso (cheek to cheek), [or] handshake; there is nothing wrong with that. And that is actually being done in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. There are members in the Iglesia Ni Cristo who do that. And one of the equivalents of that is handshake, according to what we have read.

>>>>>>>

It can be cheek to cheek, it can be a handshake, they said. They are not sure of the teaching because they only picked it up from the Protestants. Wycliffe Bible Commentary is not from the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo, it is Wycliffe’s. And Wycliffe is a Protestant. If we are going to look into Pasugo, official magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo, they once said that they ought to reject Protestant pastors as well as Catholic priests because they are of the devil. But when they didn’t have an explanation for the holy kiss, they picked up their explanation from the Protestants. In Pasugo, August 1961 issue, page 39, it says:

TRANSLATION:

“At the end of this publication, we now ought to reject the catholic priests and the protestant pastors, for they are ministers of satan. We also ought to reject the Catholic Church and the different protestant churches, for they are not of God, but of satan or the devil. Rejecting them and their erroneous doctrines is your obedience to God, to Christ and to the Apostles.”

>>>>>>>

Are they rejecting only the Protestants and Catholics? No. They also reject the doctrines because they said they are erroneous. These people are trained to eat their own words. Reject, they said, but now they adopt, because they don’t have an explanation regarding the meaning of the holy kiss. They took the explanation of Wycliffe, who is a protestant. They said these people must be rejected, but when they can’t find an explanation from their Bible, they will get the explanation of those whom they believe to be of the devil—if aren’t these ministers such big fools!

Worse, after reading Wycliffe’s Bible Commentary, they explained that the holy kiss is “beso-beso” or cheek-to-cheek. But Wycliffe’s explanation doesn’t include cheek-to-cheek. Wycliffe said, “a kiss on the cheek”; that is not cheek-to-cheek or beso-beso. What you use to kiss is the lips or the mouth, not the cheek. A kiss is an activity of the mouth; it is not cheek to cheek. Beso-beso is cheek to cheek. The true kiss on the cheek is when you really kiss the cheek. That is what Wycliffe said, “a kiss on the cheek”, not beso-beso. This is not to defend Wycliffe or to adopt his explanation, but to show how foolish these ministers of Manalo are. They say it is beso-beso; and then handshake. They don’t have a firm doctrine. Their doctrines and beliefs are unstable.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo also rejects the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before, they call Christ God. That is in their Pasugo, that Christ is called God. He is the child mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, and He is called God. But now they don’t even want to mention it and to call Christ God. Although in their Pasugo in 1939, they say that Christ is called God. In Pasugo, August 1939, page 16-17:

TRANSLATION:

Is our Lord Jesus Christ also called God? Let us read the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah in 9:6:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

The boy who shall be born whom Isaiah refers to is our Lord Jesus Christ.

>>>>>>

In this publication, they said that the child being mentioned is Christ, and He shall be called God. But later on, in another Pasugo, they are not anymore willing to accept that Christ is the one who shall be called God in that verse. In Pasugo, Nov-Dec 1985, page 33:

TRANSLATION (of excerpt at the center):

It cannot be proven that The mighy God mentioned [in Isaiah 9:6] is the child who shall be born.

>>>>>>>

They now say that it cannot be proven that the one to be called The mighty God is the child, but in their earlier Pasugo, in 1939, they said it was Christ. These people really have confusing doctrines, like burned half-cooked rice. It really tastes aweful. That is the kind of doctrine Manalo feeds his members.

Why Can’t Eraño Manalo and Eduardo Manalo Preach on Television?

Let us look for the qualities of the preacher that is being made a leader of God’s people, let us compare, and let us see in the Bible if these qualities can be found in the executive ministers of the church of Felix Manalo.

Can members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo stand by and be proud of their deputy executive minister, Eduardo Manalo? If the executive minister Eraño Manalo is now too old to preach, why doesn’t that second in command show up on television? Why can’t the nation hear him? Why doesn’t he have any program? Even if just to read the Bible in front of the viewing public, why can’t this “preacher” preach? These are Biblical points that members of the Iglesia Ni Manalo and those who plan to join them should seriously consider.

But of course we cannot expect these things anymore. This Eduardo Manalo, considering that he is the deputy executive minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, he cannot go public. He and his father are afraid to preach even if it is taped. If they cannot open a program such as Itanong Mo Kay Manalo (Ask Manalo), maybe Eraño and Eduardo Manalo can tape their program, then thoroughly edit it and just show what they want to show on television. But they are still hesitant to do that.

Why?

It can be remembered when Bro. Eli Soriano criticized Eraño Manalo in his preaching, Manalo hasn’t even preached for two minutes and yet Bro. Eli has already pointed out a lot of errors. When Manalo preaches even if it is only for a short while, Bro. Eli finds loopholes in his speech. How then this Manalo would put up a program on television, even if it is only a taped program? If they are going to broadcast a one hour taped program, Bro. Eli will be able to point out errors good for one and a half hours. If that will be the case, it really is frightening to subject their leaders to public scrutiny, because they know the capacity of their leaders.

Is it an exaggeration to say that Bro. Eli can point out errors good for one and a half hours? Bro. Eli surely has more to say than what these people could broadcast, if ever this father-and-son Manalo would broadcast for one hour. Maybe it will even take more than one and a half hours for Bro. Eli to finish narrating all their errors. We have fervently wished for this to happen, that they convince their leaders to show up publicly, their leaders Eraño and Eduardo, but their ministers had just made a lot of excuses. What can they expect from their leaders anyway?

Let’s leave the hopeless for a while and look at reality. For almost three decades, Bro. Eli Soriano has been open to public scrutiny on the radio and on television, and he stands firm by the doctrines that he preaches. That is how confident he is. But why are the actions seen from the camp of the Iglesia Ni Manalo entirely the opposite? It only means that the frequencies of the two groups are different. Very different. And surely, cowardice is not the frequency written in the Bible concerning the preacher of God.

If Eraño Manalo is no longer fit to fight Bro. Eli Soriano, WE CHALLENGE the second in command in the Iglesia Ni Manalo, which is Eduardo Manalo, to come out and fight our vice presiding minister, Bro. Daniel Razon. Why are you ministers of Manalo so afraid? Why are you so terribly afraid! Your fear of bringing your leaders out to the public is grave! All you do is propagate lies on television, print publication and even on the internet, showing yourselves as truly branded liars. You are just proving what your leader Eraño Manalo said about who you really are.

Eraño Manalo: Ngayon, kung ang isang manggagawa, mga kapatid, sinungaling, hindi pwedeng manindigan. Kung ang isang manggagawa kakampi sa katiwalian, hindi pwedeng manindigan. Kung ang isang manggagawa siya pang nagtuturo ng katiwalian, eh lalong masamang manggagawa ito. Wala nang sariling paninindigan ay siya pang kasangkapan ng diablo. Eh sino ho iyang ganyang manggagawa? Maraming manggagawa natin, halos lahat ganyan.

TRANSLATION:

Eraño Manalo: Now, brethren, if a worker is a liar, he cannot stand firm. If a worker is an ally of corruption, he cannot stand firm. If a worker himself teaches corruption, this worker is much more evil. Having no conviction, he is even an instrument of the devil. And who are these workers? Many of our workers, almost all, are like that.

*******

Another point that needs to be considered is why the new recruits in their program Ang Tamang Daan are not able to present any wrong teachings of Bro. Eli. The trend is defamation against Bro. Eli, but they cannot point out what teachings of Bro. Eli are wrong that is why they transferred to the Iglesia Ni Manalo. They cannot point out which doctrines are erroneous that made them leave (excommunicated actually) the congregation Bro. Eli leads. Supposed to be, these recruits should be able to prove that Christ is really a man, that Christ went up to heaven a man, and will come back again a man.

What is revealed in their program The Right Path (to hell) are the intentions of the hosts and of those who transferred to their group. Their intentions met that is why it is predictable that when someone joins them, those who were excommunicated in the Church of God, when they speak, it will be to defame.

If Eraño Manalo and Eduardo Manalo believe that the teachings they have received from Felix Manalo has no unrighteousness, they would have been seen on television for a long time now. If their doctrines are true, the television is a very fast medium to preach the Gospel; as well as the radio, internet, and many others. There are so many ways to preach the words of God, but Eraño Manalo and Eduardo Manalo have not utilized any. What are these billionaires doing then?

Preachers of God fight doctrine to doctrine. If this Manalo father-and-son can come out, what needs of those who were excommunicated in the Church of God to speak in their program? Besides, why don’t they continue to show Villadolid, Yvette Diolata, Nick Abadiano, Lintag, all of those excommunicates? Why don’t they let them say that “Here is true love. We are not being taught hatred here in the church of Manalo.” If they can prove that the faith they have acquired in the church of Manalo is greater than in the Church of God, why not talk about it? Why not talk about the teachings in their Pasugo? Such as this one: in Pasugo, August 1961, page 39, this is what Manalo said:

TRANSLATION:

“At the end of this publication, we now ought to reject the catholic priests and the protestant pastors, for they are ministers of satan. We also ought to reject the Catholic Church and the different protestant churches, for they are not of God, but of satan or the devil.”

*******

Yeah, come to think of it, why not talk about that doctrine of yours in Pasugo, hmm?

The True Face of the Rapist Felix Manalo

Felix Manalo, founder of the organization Iglesia Ni Cristo, did not just rape his members; he also abused his authority by spending his members’ money in all his vices.

October 28, 1954. Weekly newspaper The Bombshell published the 2nd of its three-part series of expose about the self-claimed “angel rising in the east” Felix Manalo. The front page headline was: FELIX MANALO, IMMORAL?

On page 6, which was a Tagalog Section, a whole article was written exclusively for Manalo. It contains the original Tagalog letter of Rosita Trillanes, in which some portions were omitted in the first part of the series published a week earlier, October 21. (To enlarge image, press Ctrl +)

Following are transcript of the omitted portions in the first issue:

*******

(Copy of the Decisions of the Court of Appeals reserved in favor of ROSITA and against Manalo.)

Marahil ang dahilan kung kaya si Liloy ay nagbitiw ay sapagka’t sinikap ni Manalong pilitin si Amada. Ang lahat ng mga itong kanyang mga nilapastangan ay nangatatakot magsabi sapagka’t sila’y binalaang papatayin kung sila’y magsasabi, katulad ng ginawa niya kay Basilia Santos ng Paco, na itinuturo niya si Manalo bilang ama ng kanyang dalawang anak. Naging balitang balita ito sa Paco.

Bago nagpunta si Manalo sa America ay dinala niya ako sa bahay ng mga Protacio sa Pasay. Ngunit noong wala pang isang buwan ay dumating siya upang kunin niya akong pabalik, nangangambang baka sinabi ko sa mga Protacio ang lahat ng kanyang inasal at ginawa sa akin: noong ako’y tumangging sumama sa kanya ay binalaan niya ako ng masama ay tinakot niya ako ng isang rebolber at sa pamamagitan ng lakas ay pinilit niya akong sumama sa kanya. Pagkatapos nito ay pinalayas niya sa Iglesiya ang mga maganak na Protacio at pinaratangan ng kabulaanan.

Kanyang ginugugol ang lahat niyang buwanang sahod na P1,300.00 ukol sa mga babae at sa mahahalay na mga gawain, samantalang ang abang manggagawa sa Iglesiya ay tumatanggap lamang ng P5.00, P10.00, P15.00, P20.00 isang buwan. Ang nangyari sa lahat ninyong mga abuloy na iniaalay sa Diyos ay napupunta sa kanya at bagay na kanyang ginugugol ukol sa lahat niyang mahahalay na mga gawa. Sinabi ko kay kapatid na Doro ang lahat ng bagay na ito noong si Manalo ay naroon pa sa America.

Sa ganitong paraan ay pababayaan ba ninyong pagmalabisan ni Manalo ang mga kaanib at tanggapin ang Iglesiya sa ngalan ng Diyos? Hindi ba ninyo iniibig ang Iglesiya? Ang inyong asawa at mga anak na babae ay nasa panganib sa kasawian sa mahahalay na pita ng taong iyan na ipinalalagay at kinikilala ninyong bilang tagapagturo ng mga salita ng Diyos.

Ipinagtatapat ko sa inyo ang lahat ng bagay na ito, ipinauubaya ko sa inyo ang kapasiyahan na magagawa ninyo kung tunay na iniibig ninyo ang Iglesiya at ang Diyos. Sa paghimok sa babaing iniibig niya maging siya ay isang dalaga o isang may asawa, ay binabanggit niya ang maraming asawa ni Solomon at inaangkin niyang ang taong sinugo ng Diyos ay dapat gawing maligaya at ang pagpayag at pagsangayon sa kanyang mga ninanais ay isang kapuripuring gawa sa mga mata ng Diyos.

Ang inyong kapatid na naging sawingpalad dahil sa malabis na…

ROSITA

*******

TRANSLATION:

(Copy of the Decisions of the Court of Appeals reserved in favor of ROSITA and against Manalo.)

Perhaps the reason why Liloy resigned is because Manalo attempted to coerce Amada. All these people he violated fear to speak up because they were threatened to be killed if they do speak, like what he did with Basilia Santos of Paco, who was pointing at Manalo as the father of her two children. This was well-known in Paco.

Before Manalo went to America, he brought me to the house of the Protacio in Pasay. But in less than a month he came to take me back, worrying that I could have told the Protacio everything that he did to me. When I refused to go with him, he threatened me with a revolver and with his strength he forced me to come with him. Afterwards he excommunicated the Protacio family and accused them falsely.

He spends all his monthly salary of P1,300.00 in women and lewd activities, while the poor workers in the Church receive only P5.00, P10.00, P15.00, P20.00 a month. All your contributions which you offer to God goes to him, which he spends in all his lewd activities. I told all these things to brother Doro when Manalo was in America.

In this manner would you allow Manalo to take advantage of the members and accept the Church in the name of God? Do you not love the Church? Your wives and daughters are in danger of suffering from the lusts of that man whom you consider and revere as a preacher of the words of God.

I confess to you all these things and leave you the decision, which you can make if you truly love the Church and God. In persuading the women he loves, whether a maiden or a married woman, he mentions the many wives of Solomon and claims that the man sent of God should be made happy, and the consent and agreement to his desires is honorable in the eyes of God.

Your ill-fated sister…

ROSITA

*******

November 4, 1954. “MANALO RAPED ME — ROSITA”

Felix Manalo: Rapist of His Members and His Ministers’ Wives

In 1954, the newspaper The Bombshell published a three-part story concerning Felix Manalo, founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The first part was published on October 21 with front page headline “IGLESIA NI CRISTO ‘HEAD’ ANGEL OR SEX MANIAC?” The article includes a letter of confession from a certain Rosita Trillanes who, according to her, was raped several times by Felix Manalo. Here is the inside story. (Press Ctrl + to enlarge image.)

[To augment readability, and for whatever purpose it may serve, I decided to post the transcript here.]

“Felix Manalo
Angel Or Sex Maniac?

“By JOE CRUZ
(FIRST OF A SERIES)

“(This article is not written in defense of a group of persons or organizations; neither is it designed to accuse publicly or personally a certain individual nor purposely designed for those to whom there is a great gulf fixed between the law-abiding citizens and the wrongdoers.–EDITORS)

“MANALO, FELIX ISAGUN

“Superior Minister of the “Iglesia Ni cristo,” or Church of Christ. Born in Barrio Calsada, Tagig, Rizal, on May 10, 1886, he is the first of the two sons of Mariano Isagun and Bonifacia Manalo. At the age of seven, he entered a barrio school then conducted by a certain Maestrong Cario, wherein he obtained his primary education.

“When the revolution came in 1896, he was unable to continue his studies, so he lived with his parents to help them sometimes by fishing but most of the time by plowing their own field. When he grew older he studied photography and later a hatter’s trade and established a hat store. But this kind of living did not satisfy him for he aspired to lead a religious life.

“To realize his aspiration he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1904, and attended the classes given by that institution, but not being satisfied with the teachings of that church, he transferred to the Ellinwood Presbyterian school. He was likewise so dissatisfied with the teachings of the Presbyterian Church that he decided and joined the Christian Mission, where later he was made an evangelist. As he was also dissatisfied with the teachings and doctrines of this church, he resigned his position and joined the Seventh day Adventist, popularly known as “Sabathist.” He continued his studies in the Scriptures, while in his spare time he canvassed books and wrote for the publications of the Philippine Publishing House, the organ of the Seventh Day Adventist. Then he was made a minister, but due to his constant and profound study of the Bible, he began to entertain many doubts in the doctrines and teachings of the Adventists, so that he finally decided to preach the Gospel as it was revealed to him. This was the beginning of the establishment in the Philippines of the “Iglesia Ni Cristo.” (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE PHILIPPINES, Vol. IX, Versonco).

“But according to the same source, Felix Manalo Isagun is not the actual founder of the “Iglesia Ni Cristo” as claimed although the propagation started on or about November 1913. Thinking that it might be his success in pursuing his task by preaching the Scriptures in his own version, the said Church of Christ was registered under his name at the Bureau of Commerce and Industry, July 27, 1914. From then on, after many years of its survival as an organization the Philippines Free Press, dated April 23, 1950, made all estimation of more or less two million members. It was the most shocking news perhaps to other religious organizations ever made publicly. Since it scattered like wildfire that engulfed the four corners of the Philippines, Roxas, Avelino and Quirino were prompted to see the founder of “Iglesia Ni cristo,” and perhaps President Magsaysay too, for some political reasons. Analyzing its members whether such number is true, there are only 86, 125 members as of 1953, as far as the Bureau of Census and Statistics is concerned and not two million as claimed.

“Mr. Manalo, perhaps, is not fully satisfied with his wife and six children. In the early twenties he started already victimizing several women. To mention the few which met a strange, most bitter and painful experience lives are Rosita, whom he can not deny that this woman is one of those that met her doom during that time; Teresa Teodoro, another victim of the so-called “Angel”; Basilla Santos, if he can recall is also one among those that suffered under his hypnotistic system. Wives of several ministers that can not talk for fear that they might be expelled as “Diakonesas” might be known by their husbands. Our informant disclosed that the following are more or less under his sex domination: Felicidad, Rosa, Virginia, Bining, Mrs. Santos, Toddy, Atang, Paz, Pilar and several weeping souls that perhaps twice as much as those above-mentioned are, in one way or another, seeking revenge against Felix Manalo.

“To support our allegation, we want to prove to the reading public the following:

“Letter of Rosita to Her Brothers

“Brothers: In my belief that I will find protection I agreed that I be brought to [the] Central Office by Brother Jacinto Torres. When I was already there I experienced the most bitter and painful in [t]he life of [a] maiden like when Manalo, whom I considered as a father, abused me. At first he courted me but when I refused to accede to his desires he struck and beat me which rendered me unconscious. And when I was already unconscious, he raped me. There I suffered much because of the ill-treatment, beating and [threatening] that I received whenever I protested against his lewd designs.

“I also witnessed many who have been raped by Felix Manalo: some are maidens; others are the wives of members and ministers. Manalo himself told me about the others whom he molested when he was persuading me to accede to his desires. He told me about some thirty women he abused. I could not reveal their names to protect their dignity, but they frequently come to the Office. In my presence, he raped a maiden who later became pregnant and that happened when she went to the central office in that only instance which concerns Manalo. … Could your good sense accept these anomalies…? It is up to you to decide.”

*******

On my next post, we will discover more of Felix Manalo’s activities when he is out of his members’ sight. These are contained in Rosita’s letter, in the original Tagalog, which were removed by the editor of The Bombshell for this issue.