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Did our detractors prove us wrong regarding the commencement date of WWI when the Church of Christ was reestablished by biblical prophecy?
In this article, we will engage with one of the primary arguments that is persistently labored on among Reddit critics. Through this discourse, we will highlight the shortcomings and illogical aspects of their viewpoint, demonstrating how weak and unfounded their argument truly is. To begin, let us first establish the foundational premise of our doctrinal position that has led to their objections:
The Prophecy of God's Sons and daughters from the Far East
“From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.”
(Reference: Isa. 43:5 Moffat Translation, Emphasis Mine)
There are two very important things mentioned here in the prophecy we must closely take note of:
1
God’s sons and daughters whom He will call will take place at the time “end(s) of the earth,” and;
2
Thus, those whom God will call are recognized as His sons and daughters at the time “ends of the earth,” and they will be called after the name of Christ, whom God created for His glory as Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).
“…when you see all these things, know that it is near ― at the doors. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
(Reference: Matt. 24:33; 24:6-8 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
(Reference: Matt. 24:6-8a., Footnote: Last Days Bible, Emphasis Mine)
It is during this period when God’s sons and daughters would emerge from the “far east” (Isa. 43:5 Moffat Translation) as prophesied by the bible that will comprise the true Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo which was registered in the Philippine government on July 27, 1914 — concurrent with the outbreak of WWI, fulfilling the biblical prophecy marking the time “end(s) of the earth”.
Let us point to a favorite reference that Reddit users often use in their attempt to discredit one of the prophecies of the church. What is baffling is how anyone could cite a reference that we support in our publications that works against their argument, and, even more perplexing, how they fail to understand it. Let us read:
“On 27 July 1914 the Austrian foreign minister Berchtold requested Emperor Franz Joseph to sign the declaration of war, on the express grounds that the situation called for swift action, in order to achieve a fait accompli that would forestall any possible peace initiative on the part of the Triple Entente.
“At the same moment news arrived of an exchange of fire between Austrian and Serbian units on the Serbian border, which was immediately communicated to Franz Joseph at his summer residence in Bad Ischl. Under the impression that there had been a Serbian act of aggression he signed the declaration of war that very same day, 27 July, including a reference to the exchange of fire that was supposed to have taken place. On the morning of 28 July, however, it became known that the news had been erroneous – possibly deliberately erroneous – and that Serbia had not committed any act of aggression…
“Austria-Hungary’s official declaration of war on Serbia of 28 July resulted in a catastrophic chain reaction. The escalation began.”
(Reference: News press, Special edition of the Arbeiterzeitung of 29 July 1914, Emphasis Mine)
It is transparently clear that the declaration of war was signed on July 27, 1914, marking the commencement of the Great War, which coincides with the actual date of the registration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo with the Philippine government, fulfilling biblical prophecy. However, detractors on Reddit in their quick defense will argue that July 27 is not the official day of the Great War since the “Declaration of War” was announced the following day on the 28th of July of 1914, marking the official date because it was based on a false report; therefore, the Prophecy of the Iglesia Ni Cristo fails.
This argument is a very shallow and nothing but a disingenuous semantic strategy aimed at undermining the prophecy related to the reemergence of the Church Of Christ through God’s commissioning among whom He recognizes as His sons and daughters, whom He will bring from the Far East at the time element “end(s) of the earth.”
Therefore, to those handful of honest Reddit critics, are they going to deny that the “Declaration of War” was indeed signed by Emperor Franz Joseph on July 27, 1914 marking this historical event, regardless of any influence of a false report of a border incident?
So yes, Austria-Hungary declaration of war on Serbia was officially announced on July 28, 1914 commencing a chain of catastrophic events that broke out into a global war, which is being recognized today as the official date of WWI. Nevertheless, the historical evidence can’t be denied that the “declaration” was signed, one day prior on the 27th of July, which marks the “beginning of sorrows” and the commencement of the global war, fulfilling the biblical prophecy foretold by Christ: “…when you see all these things, know that it is near ― at the doors. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,… (Matt. 24:33; 24:6-8 NKJV)” These is the time God’ sons and daughters would be called, form the “far east” at the time “ends of the earth.”
The real question is, was the report completely erroneous as claimed on the morning of 28 July as the “Special edition of the Arbeiterzeitung of 29 July 1914 declared?” From the “The Washington Times” on July 27 of 1914 has this to report:
The Washington Times
Servians Mobilize Near Border; Shots Exchanged pg.2
“BELGRADE, July 27 ― … The entire Servian army is being mobilized…
“Across the Danube Austrian troops may be seen today mobilizing for the attack. Shots were exchanged between an Austrian ship carrying troops and Servians. Austrian boats are moving up and down the Danube carrying material of bridges and other equipment necessary for the invasion, while a large force of the army is massed at Semlin…
BATTLE RAGES AS SERBS INVADE AUSTRIA
ADVANCE ON BELGRADE CHECKED FOR TIME BY DYNAMITING OF BRIDGE Pg.1
“Reports from the European war zone today tell of engagements between Austrian and Servian troops near the mouth of the Temes river, east of Belgrade, and in Austrian territory. The censored dispatches contain but meager information. Both have suffered casualties, however, although to what extent has not been stated…
As a last measure in the evacuation of Belgrade, the Servian capital, Servian troops have dynamited the railroad bridge which spans the Save river, below Semlin, and enters Belgrade. It is at Semlin that Austria has concentrated its most powerful force for the invasion of the tiny kingdom. This strategic move by the Servians will delay the attack upon Belgrade.
“Reports of Servians firing on an Austrian boat bearing troops on the Danube were confirmed today. The fire was returned and a hot engagement followed.“
The “Tacoma Times” on July 27 of 1914 has also this to report:
The Tacoma Times
SERVIA AND AUSTRIA READY
VIENNA, July 27 ― Servian soldiers today dynamited the bridge across the river between Semlin, Hungary, and the Servian side of the river.
“Reports that Servians fired on a boatload of Austrian troops in the Danube Sunday were confirmed. The Austrians answered the fire and a hot engagement resulted. …
“Rumors were current of an engagement in progress at the mouth of the River Temes, east of Belgrade, the Servian capital. …
“The Austrian government seized the railroads and telegraph. …
“PARIS July 27 ― French army reservists have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to mobilize on short notice. …
“July 27 ― Russia is reported to have promised support to Servia against Austria. The Servian army is mobilizing…”
Critics on Reddit argue that the publication date of these news reports does not match the church’s registration date of July 27., since U.S. newspapers are 12 hours behind the Philippines, the report’s official release would actually be the next day in the Philippines. This discrepancy is presented as evidence that the church’s prophecy is false, as it would fall on July 28 in the Philippines.
Since Reddit critics enjoy playing semantics with “time,” then let us see how they would like to explain the following:
The Washington Times
Evening, July 26, 1914
WAR DECLARED; ALL EUROPE IN TURMOIL
AUSTRIAN TROOPS MOVING ON BELGRADE EVACUATED BY SERBS
“Austria today declared war against Servia, according to a Central News dispatch from Vienna.
“Austrian troops are moving on Belgrade, the Servian capital.
“The capture of Belgrade, which King Peter has evacuated, will be the first step in the war which threat ens to embroil all Europe.
“A proclamation has been issued at Vienna declaring a state of siege as existing throughout the duo-monarchy.”
The tension of the war being imminent reaching its boiling point the Washington Times released such a publication on the evening of July 26, 1914. Considering that the Philippines is 12 hours ahead, this would fall on July 27 Philippine time the day when the church was registered with the Philippine government. Whether the Washington Times was correct or not in its reporting on the 26th, it is clear from the accumulation of reports that war had already commenced one way or another, thus the Declaration of War was officially signed by Emperor Franz Joseph on the 27th of 1914.
There is a fundamental difference between the outbreak/commencement of war and the “declaration,” which seems to confuse some Reddit users. They mistakenly believe that the prophecies of the Church of Christ are contingent solely upon the precise date of the official “announcement.” However, this interpretation is not 100% accurate. The Church has consistently maintained that its reestablishment occurred “concurrently” with the onset of WWI, it just so happened that the church was registered on July 27, 1914 with the Philippine government, the day Emperor Franz Joseph signed the Declaration of War.
Hypothetically, whether the war commenced 1 to 3 days prior or afterward is not of great concern. What the glesia Ni Cristo emphasizes, is that the Church was registered “concurrently” with the outbreak of World War One fulfilling the biblical prophecy that will take place at the time “end(s) of the earth.” It just happens that the war had “commenced” with the movement of troops on the 26th of July of 1914 that being the 27th in the Philippines all leading up to Emperor Franz Joseph’s signing of the Declaration of War exactly on the 27th, concurrent with the registration of the Church of Christ and the Great War announced and recorded in the annals of history on the 28th. Regardless of whether Emperor Franz Joseph was aware of the prior outbreak and the shots that were exchanged between an Austrian ship carrying troops and Servians and both sides have suffered casualties on the 27th, these events fulfilled the biblical prophecy timeline and the reestablishment of the true Church Of Christ. These two concurrent events were fulfilled.
HISTORIANS REPORT
Are the historical newspapers that reported these events on the given dates incorrect? Are they the only sources that provided the historical record? To disprove any error in the reports, let us turn to the statements made by historians themselves regarding the war:
“The first great campaign on the southeastern battle grounds of the Great War began on July 27, 1914, when the Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of Serbia.”
(Reference: The Story of the Great War, Vol. 2, p. 291, Emphasis Mine)
“Austria, backed by Germany, swept aside all the efforts of the other powers of Europe to intervene in behalf of peace and declared war upon Servia on the 27th of July [1914].”
(Reference: The Nations At War A Current History by Willis John Abbot, Pub. 1917, p.8, Emphasis Mine)
Reddit critics are quick in there attempt to disprove the “The Nations At War A Current History” reference of page 8 claiming its a typo despite no correction was made by the author.
“July 28. Austria announces a state of war with Servia.“
While it’s clever for Reddit critics to create such an argument, they ironically fail to understand the difference between “State of War” and “Declaration of War,” despite that the war was declared one day prior which reveals the ignorance and misunderstanding of the context on page 31.
In order to address this argument raised by our critics and to illustrate the consistency between the author’s statements on page 8 and page 31, thereby confirming the absence of typographical errors, we shall refer to a legal resource:
- State of War:The state of war refers to the the actual condition of conflict.
- Declaration of War:
A declaration of war refers to a formal announcement.
Reference: https://legal-resources.uslegalforms.com/d/declaration-of-war)
Thus, it is evident the author in noway contradicts his former statement. Emperor Franz Joseph, signed the declarationon on July 27,1914 the telegram was sent the next day when it was formerly “declared” coinciding with the registration date of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Detractors are desperately attempting to read into something that is not there or claimed by the author.
The question is, why was the signed Declaration of War held back or delayed? Why did it not take effect immediately?
The declaration of war on Serbia by Austria-Hungary did not take effect on July 27, 1914, even though Emperor Franz Joseph had officially signed and authorized the declaration of war on that very day. Instead, Foreign Minister Leopold Berchtold and the Common Ministerial Council delayed the official signed declaration until July 28. Preventing mediation and localizing the conflict; Berchtold and the Council intended to utilize the legal frameworks that would apply in a state of war to preempt any further mediation attempts by the Entente Powers (France, Britain, and Russia). This strategy aimed to confine the conflict to a “Third Balkan War,” preventing it from escalating into a broader European war.
Hence, when was the declaration signed, despite the actual day of its posting?
July 27, 1914 concurrent with the registration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ!
Based on the overwhelming historical evidence the burden of proof lies on our Reddit detractors to bring forth evidence that all these references are either false or gravely mistaken. To date, no evidence has been presented to disprove these historical facts; instead, the response has mainly been nothing but straw man aguments and noise without substance.
It is also evident that, regardless of the substantial evidence presented, our critics will persist in providing justifications, formulating elaborate and crafty explanations, and engaging in personal ad hominem attacks against the church and its faithful members while denying any information that contradicts their established beliefs.
The reality is, our detractors have only two options: either acknowledge the established facts or persist in the unwarranted denial of immutable realities.
IN CONCLUSION
1
WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine, unadulterated teachings of Christ and His apostles as they were taught in the first-century Church Of Christ. These teachings presented here is the path that leads to eternal life for all on that appointed day of Judgment:
Fundamental Beliefs of The "Iglesia Ni Cristo" (Church Of Christ)
WITH THE AIM of aiding others in achieving a more comprehensive understanding of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, a series of readings has been developed. These readings encompass a range of significant topics, from the nature and work of Christ to apostasy. We encourage all those who are curious or in search of truth to engage with these articles. They are designed to encapsulate the comprehensive doctrines and beliefs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo…
Reach Out
