Last of two partsACCORDINGLY, the messenger means the one sent with the message – a forerunner of God's message (The New International Webster's Pocket Dictionary of the English Language).Likewise, God's Last Messenger refers to the person whom God has anointed to carry out His last mission of Salvation. And why the Last Messenger? Per the Holy Scripture's description, the current works of salvation will be done until Judgment Day. And, on Judgement Day, it was prophesied that the current world and those up in the sky would all perish, thus, the current dealings in our lives are being done in these last days.To date, an article titled 'Brother Felix Y. Manalo's life and faith: an example and inspiration' published in the 'Pasugo: God's Message,' in its editorial written by Brother Bienvenido Santiago Jr. in its May 2023 issue is herein quoted.'We, members of the Church Of Christ, firmly believe that the prophecies of God written in the Bible (Isa. 41:9-10, 11-15; 46:11-13; Rev. 7:2-3) were fulfilled in him. He administered the Church from 1914 until he died in 1963. For almost half a century, he taught, guided, and led the members of the Church in the true way of serving God and in the proper way of upholding the divine election so that they can be assured of salvation on the Day of Judgment.'In order for our commemoration of Brother Felix Manalo to be meaningful and beneficial to us, let us fulfill the instruction of the apostles regarding those who administered the Church: 'Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith' (Heb. 13:7 New Living Translation).'There are many important lessons to be learned from the life and faith of Brother Manalo that can serve as examples to follow and inspire us so that we can overcome difficult and dangerous circumstances and uphold our divine election until the end of our race.'One of them is his commitment to doing good regardless of the situation or even if there are obstacles ahead. Although he knew that he was embarking on was extremely difficult – which was to start preaching about the true Church Of Christ – he was undaunted. At that time, he did not have any fellow ministers or ministerial workers, so he set out to fulfill the divine mission alone. There was no religious organization that could give him the support. Instead, what awaited him were intense resistance and bitter persecution from other religions, because the biblical teachings that he would be doing was good and for the salvation of his fellowmen, he could not allow himself to withhold from them the proclamation of the truths in the Bible that they should listen to, believe in, and carry out. Despite the obstacles, he did his mission because his mind and his heart were moved and inspired by what is written in James 4:17: 'Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin' (New King James Version).'Brother Manalo also completely entrusted himself to God. Before Brother Manalo started preaching about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, he and his wife had a home and a stable livelihood at the corner of F.B. Harrison and Ochoa Streets in Pasay (now a city in Metro Manila). He left all these and went to start his mission. Brother Manalo did this because he wanted to prove to himself that God – Whose call he responded to – is the true God Who would work miracles in their lives and provide for their needs.'Hence, he trusted God with everything. Leaving Pasay, he went to their acquaintances who were working then at the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company of Manila, Incorporated, in Punta, Sta. Ana to share with them the truths about the Church. To get there, they had to take a boat to cross the Pasig River. Although they had nothing to pay for the fare, the boatman agreed to take them to the other side of the river on the promise of Brother Manalo to return to pay. That evening, he held the first propaganda meeting to proclaim the teachings of the Bible about the true Church. Although Brother Manalo did not ask anything from them, those who listened to his preaching extended to them their kindness after knowing the situation of the couple. They were offered a room and provided for their needs––even the fare for the boatman. More importantly, Brother Manalo had firm faith that despite the odds he had to face, God would never forsake him as he carried out his mission as God's Messenger in these last days.'Moreover, Brother Felix Manalo exalted and honored the righteousness of God or the gospel; thus, God helped and upheld him (Isa. 42:21; Rom. 1:16-17). When Brother Manalo understood the true teachings of God, there were what he firmly believed in and fruitfully lived by. He did not go beyond what is written in the Bible. Even when he fulfilled his ministry in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, he did not preach any man-made teaching or anything that cannot be found in the Holy Scriptures. In his preaching – whether in public or in the congregational worship services of the Church – he often said: 'Believe not in Manalo's own words but in the teachings of God written in the Bible.' That was how he preached so that the faith of those who listened to him would be based not on the wisdom of men but on the gospel, which is the power of God to salvation.'Indeed, his purpose was the same as that of God's true messengers before him––to teach people for them to be brought near to God. Ever faithful to divine teachings, the true messengers speak the words of God so those whom they teach may gain the right relationship with God (Rom. 10:15; John 3:34; Eph. 1:13-14).'Brother Felix Manalo also lived with bravery and courage in fulfilling the duty entrusted to him by God despite danger and threats to his life. In almost half a century of his preaching about the true Church, he did not cower in fear when he encountered fierce persecutions. One Sunday morning in 1942 – during the occupation of the Philippines by the Imperial Japanese Army – when the brethren were gathered in a house of worship in Tondo, Manila, Japanese soldiers barged in and ordered Brother Manalo not to preach the words of God to the congregation. The place was filled with tension. The brethren were afraid that they might hurt him. However, Brother Manalo told the soldiers, 'I did not receive this commandment from you. I received it from God. I must perform my duty.''These were just some of the examples of how Brother Felix Manalo lived his faith. God did not abandon him but kept and guided him until he successfully finished his race.'Therefore, if we also committed to doing good, fully entrust ourselves to God, exalt and honor His words by obeying everything He has commanded us, and be brave and courageous in fulfilling our sacred duty despite danger and threats, then we can expect that, as God was with Brother Felix Manalo and helped and supported him, the Lord will do the same to us.Let us remember the life and faith of Brother Manalo and make both an example and inspiration so that we can uphold our divine election despite obstacles, dangers, and persecutions until we also finish our race. In doing so, we can be assured of salvation and eternal life.'* * *If you want to know more about the things that you ought to do to be saved come Judgment Day – the Second Advent of Lord Jesus Christ, please call telephone numbers +6329814311/981-1111/719-78000 or email queries to pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph.Antonio Papa is currently a trustee of the New Era University in Quezon City and the second head deacon at the Local Congregation of Indang, Ecclesiastical District of Cavite South. He is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he served as a scientist 1 and consultant at Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education degree at the Don Severino Agricultural College now CvSU in 1978, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
