Is Felix Manalo an Angel?

Mr. Conrad J. Obligacion, an INC member who denied being a member has posted a new article in his blog Do angels have wings? for three reasons.  (1) He tries to prove that angels have no wings. (2) Winged angels are "Catholic inventions" therefore they are pagan. (3) Angels have no wings so Felix Manalo fits in that category.

Is is true that winged angels was a Catholic invention which started during the time of Constantine (a pagan emperor who converted to Christianity)? Does the Bible agree with his opinion?

(Of course Mr. Obligacion's opinion is his personal since he cannot provide us any official teachings from his cult.  This will spare the Iglesia ni Cristo church if he'd be caught lying again for the nth times.

He cannot provide us their official teachings, therefore it's his own personal opinion.

According to Catholics [...] "So the word angel was derived from the Greek aggelos which means messenger. There is no mention of the messenger having wings." According to Baptists [...] "Here, the Baptist say that angel can even be applied to forces of nature, AND men! Again, no mention of wings." Source:The Baptist Quarterly What about the Latter Day Saints and Presbyterians say? [...] Elder J. S. Roth Reorganized The Latter Day Saints So then, when did angel began having wings? Here’s what the Roman [...] The Catholic Encyclopedia Herbermann, Charles Knights of Columbus Catholic Truth Committee Vol 1 pg 485 Catholics say: [...] Angels began getting their wings during the reign of Constantine in the Fourth Century! Source: Angels & angelology in the Middle Ages Keck, David

His CONCLUSION?

"There you go. Angels with wings is another Roman Catholic Pagan invention." - Conrad J. Obligacion's "Do Angels have Wings?"

Let's give justice to the word 'angel' and try to give Mr. Obligacion the benefit of the doubt.  After all, his noble intention is to defend the Iglesia ni Cristo's "Last Messenger (Angel)" doctrine. 

As you can see, these INC members try their very best in defending FELIX MANALO's doctrines and his own church called IGLESIA ni CRISTO more than JESUS CHRIST and HIS CHURCH.

When Felix Manalo started preaching, the "Last Messenger" doctrine wasn't introduced yet. It was during the later years when there was an imminent SCHISM within his church that he started proclaiming himself as the Last Messenger (angel). Today its ministers are citing 1 Cor.1:27 to prove that through Felix Manalo's bravery was a sign that he's indeed an angel.

With this claims, Manalo had controlled his church. To every INC member, Felix Manalo is the CULMINATION or CLIMAX of everything. He is the CENTRAL FIGURE (not Christ) of the whole of Scripture. He is the NEW SHEPHERD that even God has to offer himself to "his Last Sugo" so that Manalo may be deified in him" (PASUGO May 1964, p. 1).

“Inihandog ng Dios ang kanyang sarili sa kanyang huling sugo upang dumiyos sa kanya. Samakatuwid, ang tanging may Dios na huling araw na ito'y ang huling sugo -- si Kapatid na Felix Manalo."

They also consider Felix Manalo EQUAL with Christ and at time above Christ's (PASUGO June 1965, p. 12:

“Parehong-pareho ang espiritu ni Cristo sa diwa ni Kapatid na Felix Manalo sa pamamaraan ng pagdadala ng tungkuling tinanggap sa Dios."

The Iglesia ni Cristo doctrine becomes EMPTY and POWERLESS without this doctrine. Felix Manalo's Last Messenger doctrine holds the key factor in binding members of this cult. A bonafide member SHOULD CONFESS before the congregation that Felix Manalo is God's Last Messenger and FAILURE to profess this makes you worthless member.

This is the reason why Mr. Obligacion has to defend this doctrine. Failure to do so would mean expulsion from it. So I perfectly understand his position, however flawed and unbiblical I deeply regret that I have to disagree with his opinion on this matter.

I would like to begin with the etymological meaning of the word "angel":

The word ANGEL is not an INC definition. Their explanation about Felix Manalo's angelic status relies heavily on Catholic definitions so let's take it from us and justify the word and apply it to Felix Manalo if he fits in that definition.

ETYMOLOGY

Angel is derived from the Hebrew מַלְאָך 'angel'.

Angels could mean:

• angels or cherubs כְּרוּב (מַלְאָך
• Archangels - מַלְאָך הַפָּנִים)
• seraphs שָׂרָף (מַלְאָך
• messengers

According to Wikipedia, they are spiritual beings, regardless whether they are WINGED or NOT, they should be God's special creatures, spiritual NOT human.

And what's their TASKS/ROLE?

• They should be protecting and guiding people.
• Carrying God's task.

In other words, they are God's special creatures as MESSENGERS from God to men. Yes they are messengers but they are SPIRITUAL MESSENGERS!

In Judaism, Jews believed that angels are:

The Bible uses the terms מלאך אלהים (mal'akh Elohim; messenger of God), מלאך יהוה (mal'akh Yahweh; messenger of the Lord), בני אלהים (b'nai Elohim; sons of God) and הקודשים (ha-qodeshim; the holy ones) [emphasis mine] to refer to beings traditionally interpreted as angels. Other terms are used in later texts, such as העליונים (ha'elyoneem; the upper ones). It is, however, only in the later books of the Hebrew Bible that these terms "come to mean the benevolent semidivine beings familiar from later mythology and art." Daniel is the first biblical figure to refer to individual angels by name. The writer includes the names Gabriel (God's primary messenger) in Daniel 9:21 and Michael (the holy fighter) in Daniel 10:13. These are part of Daniel's apocalyptic visions and are an important part of all apocalyptic literature.

Source: Wikipedia

In Christianity, angels are viewed as:

Early Christians inherited Jewish understandings of angels, which in turn may have been partly inherited from the Egyptians. In the early stage, the Christian concept of an angel characterized the angel as a messenger of God. Angels are creatures of good, spirits of love, and messengers of the savior Jesus Christ. Later came identification of individual angelic messengers: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel [...]

[...]The angels are represented throughout the Christian Bible as a body of spiritual beings intermediate between God and men: "You have made him (man) a little less than the angels..." (Psalms 8:4,5). Some Christians believe that angels are created beings, and use the following passage as evidence: "praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts... for He spoke and they were made. He commanded and they were created..." (Psalms 148:2-5; Colossians 1:16).[...]

Source: Wikipedia

It's impportant for us to get the original concept of angels from the Hebrew and Christian concept. Later definitions from Protestant and quasi-non Trinitarian form of Christianity" were developed due to their lack of basic knowledge of the Hebrew and Christian traditions.

Now, when did ANGELS got WINGS? According to Wikipedia (again):

The earliest known Christian image of an angel, in the Cubicolo dell'Annunziazione in the Catacomb of Priscilla, which is dated to the middle of the third century, is without wing(emphasis  mine). Representations of angels on sarcophagi and on objects such as lamps and reliquaries of that period also show them without wings, as for example the angel in the Sacrifice of Isaac scene in the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. However, the side view photos of the Sarcophagus show winged angelic figures.

The earliest known representation of angels with wings is on what is called the Prince's Sarcophagus, discovered at Sarigüzel, near Istanbul, in the 1930s, and attributed to the time of Theodosius I (379-395).

Saint John Chrysostom explained the significance of angels' wings: "They manifest a nature's sublimity. That is why Gabriel is represented with wings. Not that angels have wings, but that you may know that they leave the heights and the most elevated dwelling to approach human nature. Accordingly, the wings attributed to these powers have no other meaning than to indicate the sublimity of their nature."

One of Melozzo's famous angels from the Basilica dei Santi Apostoli, now in the sacristy of St. Peter's. From then on, though of course with some exceptions, Christian art represented angels with wings, as in the cycle of mosaics in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (432–440). Four- and six-winged angels, often with only their face and wings showing, drawn from the higher grades of angels, especially cherubim and seraphim, are derived from Persian art, and are usually shown only in heavenly contexts, as opposed to performing tasks on earth. They often appear in the pendentives of domes or semi-domes of churches.

So is it important if angels have WINGS or NOT?

No! The whole concept of angel is not about whethey they are WINGED or NOT.  In fact, whether they are depicted as creatures with WINGS or NOT, they are SPIRITUAL BEINGS, and NOT humans. 

GOD himself commanded MOSES to make an image of an angel WITH WINGS on top of the the Ark of the Covenant (see below photo).

God specifically commanded Moses on how to build the Ark of the Covenant. Such that:

Upon it had been place two cherubim of beaten gold, looking towards each other, and spreading their wings so that both sides of the propitiatory were covered. What exactly these cherubim were, is impossible to determine; however, from the analogy with Egyptian religious art, it may well be supposed that they were images, kneeling or standing, of winged persons. It is worth noticing that this is the only exception to the law forbidding the Israelites to make carved images, an exception so much the more harmless to the faith of the Israelites in a spiritual God because the Ark was regularly to be kept behind the veil of the sanctuary.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia

See angels with WINGS Exodus 25:18-21; 1 Kings 6:23--; 2 Chronicles 3:11-; Ezekiel 10:17.

And according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church §328 - §336 (do not skip the footnotes/end notes).

I. THE ANGELS

The existence of angels - a truth of faith

§328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

Who are they?

§329 St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit' (emphasis mine); if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.'"[188] With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word".[189]

§330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness.[190]

Christ "with all his angels"

§331 Christ is the centre of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . "[191] They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."[192] They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?"[193]

§332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.[194] Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.[195]

§333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"[196] Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!"[197] They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been.[198] Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection.[199] They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgement.[200]

The angels in the life of the Church

334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.[201]

§335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the Roman Canon's Supplices te rogamus. . .["Almighty God, we pray that your angel..."]; in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .["May the angels lead you into Paradise. . ."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).

§336 From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.[202] "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."[203] Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

From the above concept, ANGELS are:

• Spiritual Beings created by God
• They are God's special messengers
• They are immortal
• They are spirits
• They are God's spiritual servants and messengers
• They surpass in perfection all visible creatures
• They bear witness
• They are the splendor of the glory of God
• They center Christ in their world
• They all belong to Christ the Lord (read Revelations)
• They are present all throughout our Salvation History
• They protect and guide peoples

Now, how is Felix Manalo fits on these categories? 

• Felix was born of a human (Catholic) parents Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo
• He was never before the throne of God or present all througout our salvation history
• He has no mandate from God.
• He married to Tomasa Sereneo who died later
• He married the second time to Honorata de Guzman
• He was suspended by the Seventh Day Adventist for an alleged 'adultery'
• He was accused by Rosita Trillanes of raping her
• He was found guilty by the court and called him "a man of low morals"
• He was a pastor to different Protestant sects
• He founded his own church, used the name of Christ
• He preached Jesus a MERE man
• He proclaimed himself as "God's Last Messenger" or "Huling Sugo"
• He robbed of  Christ's divinity and took verses in the Bible that are for Christ such as  Isaias 43:5 and John 10:16
• He preached that "God offered himself to him so that God may deify him" (PASUGO May 1964, p. 1)
• He taught a DECEIVING and LYING Christ (as oppose to Mt. 16:18-21) when he preached that the ORIGINAL Church of Christ totally apostatized.
• He died in April 12, 1963. His remains are still well kept by the Manalos, therefore he is MORTAL

Felix Manalo falls short under these categories. Therefore his angelic doctrine about himself simply was a fabrication to gain control over his members. Without him being the "Last Messenger" his Iglesia ni Cristo and the Manalos have no reason to keep hold of its flock.

Do ANGELS have WINGS?

Maybe not but God said in Exodus, they have!

So whethere they have wings or not, definitely Felix Manalo can never be one!