Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Do Babies Go to Heaven? (and Other Questions)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:1
Whenever I travel overseas and I have not been to a particular place before, I always am curious about what to expect when I get there. I want to know about the weather, the geography, the people, and my wardrobe–what kind of clothes I should bring, which is usually determined by what I’m going to be doing when I get there.
If you asked ten people if they expect to go to heaven when they die, most would say, “Yes–I hope so!” Yet very few people ever think much about who is going to be there, how you get there, and what we are going to do when we do get there.
For sure, heaven will be filled with surprises–for us and for others, as well, who are just as surprised that we’ve made it. I’ve received a number of letters from you, friends of Guidelines, asking specific questions about these issues. I’d like to answer some of these questions briefly, giving you answers based upon what the Bible says–which, after all, is the only authoritative book that gives us answers to questions about heaven.
Question #1: Who is going to be in heaven? That’s easy to answer. The Bible says that heaven is the eternal home of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. It will be the home of God’s people of all ages and races. Make a note of John 14 in your New Testament, where Jesus made it very clear that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” the door through which we enter heaven.
Contrary to what people often believe, heaven isn’t the home of all the good people in the world. It is the place which Jesus Christ has gone to prepare for those who know and serve Him.
Question #2: Will we know each other in heaven? At the transfiguration Jesus took Peter, James, and John into a mountain, and while they were together Moses and Elijah appeared. You read about this in Matthew 17. Jesus didn’t have to explain, “OK, boys, that’s Moses on the left; Elijah’s the short one on the right, the one with the bushy eyebrows and the fiery looking eyes.” They knew immediately. In eternity you will no longer have memories dimmed by the frailties of the flesh. We’ll be beyond the limitation of time and space. 1 John 3 says that when we see Christ, we will know Him. You will recognize loved ones. Heaven will be a time of rejoicing for God’s children.
Question #3: Do babies go to heaven? Answer–unquestionably, “Yes!” When David’s child by Bathsheba died, he cried, “Can I bring him back again? [Answer expected: No!] I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). You can expect to see a child resting in the arms of Jesus when you die and go to heaven. For centuries, rabbis have taught that the age of accountability is 12. This has been based more on tradition than any clear statement in the Old Testament, but according to Romans 2, in the New Testament, until there is a clear knowledge of right and wrong, a child who dies is innocent before God. This is good news for anyone who has ever had a baby snatched from his arms in death.
Question #4: Does it matter if someone is an infant or someone is old, in heaven? It matters a great deal here, but it won’t matter in heaven, according to Isaiah 65 and 66. In heaven, no longer bound by the laws of time and space which now limit us, age will no longer be a factor. Why? Heaven is timeless, and if it is timeless, it is also ageless. More on this important topic tomorrow.
Resource reading: Revelation 21
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/do-babies-go-to-heaven-and-other-questions/
House approves bill granting Bataan 3rd congressional seat
RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a measure granting Bataan province a third seat in the chamber ahead of the 2022 elections.
Voting 202-0-6, majority of lawmakers approved House Bill 8664, which would create the following congressional districts in the Bataan province:
- First District: Dinalupihan, Hemosa, Orani, Morong, Samal, Abucay
- Second District: Balanga, Orion Pilar
- Third District: Bagac, Limay, Mariveles
The incumbent representatives shall serve until their current terms expire.
Currently, the first District is represented by Geraldine Roman, while the second district is represented by Jose Enrique Garcia III, the bill's author.
The House-approved bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for its action.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/house-approves-bill-granting-bataan-3rd-congressional-seat
Locsin: No consuls, only attaches from proposed OFW department
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. rejected having “consuls” from a Department of Overseas Filipinos assigned in Philippine posts overseas.
In a tweet, Locsin called out “Mamao”, apparently referring to Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Abdullah Mamao, and threatened him over sending “consuls” instead of attachès when a DOFW is created.
“One thing sure, DOFW will have attachès but never consuls. So Mamao don’t you dare browbeat my DFA people on that issue. Who the f*** do you think you are? Be careful. I will not debase the consular status,” Locsin said.
One thing sure, DOFW will have attachès but never consuls. So Mamao don’t you dare browbeat my DFA people on that issue. Who the fuck do you think you are? Be careful. I will not debase the consular status. https://t.co/Krz7GcsJqI
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 15, 2021
Locsin called on Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles to “rein in” Mamao.
“Karlo Nograles, next time rein him in unless you want to join him,” Locsin said.
Karlo Nograles, next time rein him in unless you want to join him. https://t.co/qdKgAGR94Z
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 15, 2021
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/locsin-no-consuls-only-attaches-from-proposed-ofw-department
Duterte blasts Robredo, Lacson over US 'extortion' criticisms in VFA threat
John Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said the Chief Executive is the sole architect of the country's foreign policy according to law, days after he demanded the US must pay money if it wants to keep its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.
Duterte, in a public briefing, said that under the Constitution, "foreign relations or foreign policy is vested in the President alone."
"Kung ano ang policy na gusto niya ipalabas for the Philippines (What policy he wants for the Philippines), is vested in the President and not with the senators or the Vice President," he said.
Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier criticized the President's demand for money from the US, saying this is "extortion" and may give the impression that the Philippines is a "nation of extortionists."
Duterte fired back, and claimed that Robredo forgets her law background "every time she opens her mouth."
"Being a lawyer, she should know that the Constitution says that, that is my function. It is not their function. At kung ano gusto kong sabihin para sa bayan, may purpose 'yan. Hindi nila kasi alam, na alam ko noon, na meron tayong binili na armas sa Amerika, it took them years to deliver, practically using the money, our money, for so many years," he said.
(What I want to order for my country, that has purpose. They don't know, which I know, that we earlier bought weapons from America, but it took them years to deliver.)
He added: "Dapat alam mo 'yan, abogado ka. You should not be opening your mouth while we are negotiating. Kasi madaming kasalanan ang Amerika sa atin. Ang pagka-alam mo lang kasi, napunta ka ng Amerika, nagsalita ka doon, you were treated almost as a royalty, tapos ito nangyari ngayon. Kakampi ka [sa kanila] ng walang rason."
(You should know that, you're a lawyer. America has a lot of offenses against us. What you only know is, you went there, made a speech, were treated as royalty, and this happens. You side with them without reason.)
Duterte reiterated that Robredo, one of his political arch-rivals, can't be president of the country. He also said he wasn't sure if Lacson's statement was "pretended ignorance."
"Sabihin ko sayo na you have nothing to do with this. I may accept your comments, but use it in a way … use a language that will promote your person, human being. Hindi 'yung basta-basta ka na lang magpost-post without really finding out whether you are part of it or not. I'm telling you, you are not. Next time, consult a lawyer in your office," he said.
(I'm telling you you have nothing to do with this. Don't just speak up and post something without really finding whether you are part of it or not.)
Duterte said the Philippines' ill-equipped military will falter against China in the event of war between the two neighboring countries, unless the US will provide its long-time ally in Asia weapons and defensive systems.
"We should be provided with the arms and armaments that's capable of at least, that will place us (in) equal footing with the other countries that are at war with us. Kasi titirahin talaga tayo ng China (China will really hit us)," he said, claiming Palawan will be the first area in the Philippines that will be hit in case of military conflict between the two superpowers.
Duterte unilaterally canceled the two-decade-old VFA last year, in an angry response after his ally, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, was denied a US visa supposedly due to his role in the Philippines' violent war on drugs. The withdrawal period has been twice extended, however.
Philippine defense and military officials have affirmed their support for the VFA, which is central to Washington's Asia strategy, as China continues to flex its muscles in the continent.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said last week their "general feeling is for the VFA to continue" but that he told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin that "we don't want any miscalculations or accidents in the South China Sea because we are right smack there in the center of conflict."
Although he has said that he's a "friend" of both China and the US, Duterte has proclaimed his aversion for the Americans even before he won the presidential elections in 2016.
Ties between Manila and Washington have been strained under the Duterte administration, due to his frequent statements condemning US foreign policy while embracing China, despite the latter's aggressions in Philippine territories.
While the Philippines-US relationship "has always been strong", Lorenzana said the country "should not be made to choose" between Washington and Beijing.
Higit 500 na baboy pinatay sa Misamis Oriental dahil sa African swine flu
MANTICAO, Misamis Oriental - Hindi na pumalag ang mga residente ng barangay Pagawan ng kunin ng taga Department of Agriculture (DA) ang kanilang mga alagang baboy upang i-depopulate o patayin matapos makumpirmang African swine flu (ASF) ang ikinamatay ng ilang baboy sa lugar noong ika-3 ng Pebrero, 2021.
Umabot ng 568 na mga baboy ang pinatay at inilibing ng DA. Mga backyard hograisers ang may-ari ng mga baboy.
Binayaran ang mga may-ari ng P7,000 ng DA sa bawat baboy na kanilang isinuko pero ayon sa hograiser na si Divina Wapin, malaking kawalan din ito sa kanila.
May paglalaanan na raw kasi sana siya sa kikitain niya sa baboy.
“Pantubos ko sana yun sa isinanla naming lupa,” aniya.
Mapipilitan siyang magbenta na lang ng baka at maghanap ng maidadagdag sa pambayad lalo’t ipinagbabawal pa muna silang mag-alaga ulit ng baboy. Titiyakin daw kasi munang wala na ang virus.
Posibleng aabutin ito ng kalahating taon. Nangako naman ang probinsyal na pamahalaan na tutulong sa apektadong hog raisers na magkaroon ng ibang pagkakakitaan.
Dinisinfect ang pinaglibingan ng mga baboy at ang mga lugar na may namatay na baboy.
Dinisinfect din lahat ng papasok at lalabas sa barangay.
Ayon naman sa mga nagbebenta ng karneng baboy sa lugar, wala na halos bumibili sa kanila dahil sa takot sa sakit at dahil sa pagmahal ng presyo ng karne. Sa farms na raw kasi sila bumibili ng baboy na mas mahal kaysa backyard hograisers.
Sa susunod na linggo, isasagawa ang blood sampling ng baboy sa ibang mga barangay upang alamin kung hindi kumalat ang sakit.
- ulat ni Roxanne Arevalo
Umano'y supplier ng droga sa Negros Occidental, arestado
Arestado ang umano'y supplier ng ilegal na droga sa Negros Occidental Lunes.
Wala pang isang buwan nakapagtago ng suspek nang ma-aresto siya sa Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City pasado alas-9 ng umaga.
Ayon sa awtoridad, talamak na supplier ng droga si Sunga sa mga bayan ng Manapla, Victoria's City, Talisay City, Silay at Bacolod City.
Kinasuhan na ng paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act si Sunga. - ulat ni Gracie Rutao
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/umanoy-supplier-ng-droga-sa-negros-occidental-arestado
Health frontliner attacked after refusing entry to man with expired COVID-19 test
ZAMBOANGA CITY - A frontliner was injured after he was attacked by a man with a metal bar in Barangay Licomo, Zamboanga City on Sunday.
The victim was identified as Aldrin Arellano Suazon, 47 years old, a resident of Barangay Licomo and employee of the City Health Office.
Suazon was among the personnel assigned at the Licomo border to screen incoming travelers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigation revealed that the suspect was denied entry by Suazon after presenting an expired RT-PCR test result at the border control in the city Saturday afternoon.
The suspect's documents were confiscated by another CHO personnel who was also on duty.
A day later, the suspect stormed Suazon’s residence and at the height of their altercation, the former got irked and subsequently attacked the victim using a metal bar.
The victim sustained fractures in his arm and other parts of his body.
The suspect is now under police custody.
Mayor Beng Climaco promised to assist the victim in his medical needs.- report from Liezel Lacastesantos
'Most wanted' sa Jamindan, Capiz arestado sa kasong rape
Arestado ang nangunguna sa listahan ng most wanted personalities ng pulisya sa bayan ng Jamindan sa Capiz Lunes ng umaga.
Sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na ibinaba sa sala ni Hon. Judge Rommel Leonor, ng 6th Judicial Region, RTC, branch 21, Mambusao, Capiz, nahuli si John Famucol, 19 taong gulang, sa Brgy. Agcococ, Tapaz, Capiz.
Si Famucol ay nahaharap sa kasong rape sa ilalim ng Article 266-A (1) (a) ng Revised Penal Code.
Walang piyansang inirekomenda ang hukom para sa pansamantalang kalayaan ng suspek.
Nakapiit na sa Jamindan police station ang suspek at nakatakdang iharap sa husgado. - ulat ni Rolen Escaniel
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/most-wanted-sa-jamindan-capiz-arestado-sa-kasong-rape
Better public service with new Rizal districts
Residents of the province of Rizal’s second district may look forward to being served better by their local government as the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill reapportioning it into three legislative districts.
“While it is a fulfilling challenge trying to serve the 2nd district, the reality is that as is, our resources always have to be stretched thin so that it could reach our more than one million constituents, which amounts to over half of Rizal’s entire population,” said Deputy Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles.
Nograles is the author of House Bill No. 6222 which seeks to reapportion the 2nd district.
Once passed into law, the current second district would retain the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla, and Teresa.
The proposed measure would then establish the town of San Mateo as the third congressional district and Rodriguez (Montalban) town as the fourth legislative district of the province.
“Additional representation equals additional resources, which would lead to a much more equitable distribution of government services to the people of Rizal,” Nograles said.
Nograles said the reapportionment will have an immediate impact on the province’s pandemic recovery efforts as the representatives of the new districts would already be selected in the 2022 elections once the President signs the bill.
“This means that our countrymen will not be passive spectators in the recovery efforts because they will choose their representatives,” he said.
Even small number of voters can decide splitting of Palawan
THE plebiscite for the possible division of Palawan into three separate provinces can be decided even with only a few of its locals casting their voters, according to the Commission on Elections.
Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho said on Monday the outcome of the plebiscite will be decided by the majority of the votes cast rather than a certain threshold.
Nevertheless, he said they will try to make sure that most of the 490,639 registered voters in Palawan will be able to participate in the plebiscite to make sure its outcome will reflect the decision of most Palaweños.
“We cannot really determine at this point in time if there will be high voter turnout as this will be the first time we will be holding an electoral exercise with a public health emergency. But we hope and we encourage voters to have a high turnout,” Kho said in a recent online forum.
Preparations by the poll body for the plebiscite slated on March 13, 2021 is now ongoing.
Last Thursday, Comelec started the information campaign for the plebiscite, through online, televised, or radio-aired messages running until March 11, 2021.
Comelec also ended on Monday the accreditation for foreign and domestic observers, who will be monitoring the conduct of the plebiscite.
Those accredited will be given passes granting them access and other privileges relating to the conduct of the plebiscite.
“The passes may be confiscated and the accreditation revoked for violation of the guidelines of the accreditation,” Comelec said in a statement.
The outcome of the plebiscite will determine if Republic Act 11259 or the Act Dividing the Province of Palawan into three provinces—Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur—will be ratified or not.