The Philippines won the gold medals in the all-women triathlon relay, the all-men triathlon relay and the mixed triathlon events of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) held yesterday in Thailand which has since been reported by GMA News (click here) and the Philippine Daily Inquirer (click here and here) and revealed via social media by Triathlon Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission (click here, here, here and here). The Daily Tribune and the Manila Standard also published their respective stories (click here and here).
To put things in perspective about the Philippines’ gold medal victories in the all-men relay and all-women relay contests, posted below is an excerpt from the sports news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippines continued its golden surge in the 2025 SEA Games after its triathlon teams delivered a pair of gold medals on Wednesday in Thailand.
The men’s and women’s squads both ruled the team relay competitions, adding two more gold medals to the country’s tally with three days left in the biennial event.
The women’s team, composed of Kira Ellis, Kim Mangrobang, and Raven Alcoseba, reigned supreme after clocking in one hour, 10 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Indonesia’s Martina Ayu Pratiwi, Kayla Nadia Shafa, and Renata Berliana Aditya copped the silver with 1:10:48 while Singapore’s Yen Ling Kathlyn Yeo, Louisa Marie Middleditch, and Herlene Natasha Yu settled for bronze with 1:12:00.
The Philippine men’s team also shone with Aki Lorbes, Matthew Hermosa, and Fernando Casares by finishing the relay in one hour, four minutes, and five seconds.
GMA News eventually posted another sports news report which includes the Philippines’ gold medal victory in the triathlon mixed relay contest. Posted below is the excerpt from their report.
The Philippines proved its dominance in triathlon after ruling the mixed team relay in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday in Thailand.
The quartet of Kira Ellis, Fernando Casares, Kim Remolino, and Raven Alcoseba dominated the event to clinch the country’s third triathlon gold medal.
Earlier, Ellis and Alcoseba teamed up with Kim Mangrobang to reign supreme in the women’s team relay while Cesares connived with Aki Lorbes and Matthew Hermosa to emerge victorious in the men’s team relay event.
The Philippines first stamped its authority in the mixed relay back in 2019, with former triathlon stars John Chicano, Maria Claire Adorna, along with Mangrobang and Casares, leading the charge to gold.
For the newcomers reading this, yesterday was the 2nd day of SEA Games action for the Philippine’s multisport team. There are still other multisport contests pending as of this writing.
As the Philippines won the gold medals of the SEA Games all-women relay, the all-men relay and the mixed relay, December 17, 2025 is a day that will be remembered for a long time. For visual reference, posted below are the social media posts from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
2 silvers and a bronze in SEA Games aquathlon events
During their first day of SEA Games competition in Thailand, the same multisport team won two silver medals and one bronze medal in the aquathlon relay contests (all-women, all-men and mixed). For insight, posted below is the excerpt from the Inquirer sports report. Some parts in boldface…
Team Philippines nabbed two silver medals and a bronze in the aquathlon in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Leam Mae Phim, Klaeng Distic in Rayong.
Kira Ellis, Matthew Hermosa, Raven Faith Alcoseba, and Andrew Remolino clocked 1:04:58 to finish with a silver medal in the mixed team relay final.
The group fell short of surpassing Indonesia’s 1:04:14 as the latter won gold in the event. Malaysia finished with a bronze medal, finishing the race at 1:08:37.
Ellis, with Erika Nicole Burgos and Kim Mangrobang, also had a runner-up finish in the women’s relay final, with a time of 51:46.
Indonesia escaped the Philippines anew, winning the gold with a time of 51:23. Singapore won bronze with a 53:58 finish.
Remolino, Inaki Emil Lorbes, and Joshua Alexander Ramos earned a bronze medal from the men’s relay event, clocking 47:52.
Praise and thank the Lord for the victories and the opportunities for the Philippines’ multisports team to win more gold medals in the contests ahead of them.
Let it be clear to all that without God, none of us would exist. We live in a world with so many twisted values, unholy acts and wrongful beliefs that cause many people to be separated from the Lord and live on with evil. Since the triumphant return of Donald Trump as President of the United States, the nation has been recovering from the unholiness and twisted changes that dominated the term of the failed predecessor Joe Biden. Apart from suppressing illegal immigration and ending anti-Christian practices in government, the Trump administration is moving America closer to God by launching the America Prays initiative, according to a news report by Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of CBN. Some parts in boldface…
As America nears the 250th anniversary of its founding, President Trump wants the nation to recognize its dependence on God. He’s launched “America Prays,” an initiative emphasizing the enduring role of faith in the country’s identity.
“America was founded on faith, as we know, and I’ve been saying it for a long time. And when faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger, as it is right now, we’re having a very good period of time,” he said.
Throughout his second term, President Trump has made clear his belief that America needs God. In that spirit, he has established the White House Faith Office, Task Force on Anti-Christian Bias, and Religious Liberty Commission.
White House Cabinet meetings begin with prayer, and now the president is urging Americans to extend that practice nationwide.
“We’re dealing, as you know, with all of the, different and not just, evangelicals and Christians. We’ve we’re dealing with lots of different faiths, religions. And I’ve felt for a long time that, you know… if a country doesn’t have religion, doesn’t have faith, doesn’t have God, it’s going to be very hard to be a good country,” Trump said.
The White House is encouraging people to form prayer groups, pray daily over specific issues, and participate in online prayer communities.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Dr. Ben Carson, co-chair of the Religious Liberty Commission, support the President’s call.
“We all believe just that we’re called for a time such as this,” Secretary Rollins said. “We all believe that we’re fighting for the soul of America but also, fighting for what is good and right, and fighting for our God. And so this president’s next step of having prayer and services as a part of that, as we celebrate America at 250, I’m just so proud to be a part of this team every single day.”
The “America Prays” initiative involves a wide range of churches, ministries, and organizations, and it partners with digital platforms such as Pray.com.
“We are complex beings. We’re not just a physical aspect. There’s a mental aspect and a spiritual aspect. It makes us different from other creatures. And we need to recognize that in all of our policies,” Dr. Carson said. “And remember that America didn’t become great by accident. It was because of the policies, the Judeo-Christian values that we live by. And look what’s happened as we begin to throw those things away. Instead of ‘love your neighbor,’ it’s ‘cancel your neighbor.’ And those are not good things. So, it’s good to have a government that actually realizes that.”
President Trump describes America Prays as an invitation for all to unite in prayer for the nation’s strength, peace, and prosperity.
Now watch the related news video of CBN News below.
It is indeed a miracle that Trump returned as US President because America drifted away from God and moved towards evil during the four years of Biden who openly supported abortion, LGBTQ ideology, critical race theory and other beliefs of the Satanic Left. Wokeness infected US governance under Biden and his Democrat henchmen and witches.
With the America Prays initiative, the United States has the strong opportunity to return to the Lord and remember the Judeo-Christian values the nation was founded with. Atheists, secularists, political correctness zealots, the woke mob and other people who hate the Lord and Israel can shout all the want but America truly belongs to the Lord and without His guiding light, the nation and its families will deteriorate.
The light of Lord Jesus is shining right now and there is still time for the lost and unsaved people to stop living evil and submit themselves to Him wholeheartedly. Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations and through Him, people will truly become the children of God and become part of His Kingdom. America Prays is not a dictatorial move but an initiative that opens opportunities for people to move towards the Lord.
Let me ending this post by sharing the bible verses below. For your faith in the Lord and the opportunity to free yourselves from evil.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
Psalm 33:12 (NKJV)
So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 (AMPC)
Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].
And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;
The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.
Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)
You shall have the same law for the sojourner among you as for one of your own nationality, for I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 24:22 (AMPC)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork.
Psalm 19:1 (AMPC)
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (NKJV)
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
John 14:27 (AMPC)
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you decided to spend time on the America Prays initiative launched by the Trump administration?
Recently, this year’s Christmas spectacle at the Filinvest City Central Park was launched by Filinvest with a special event that attracted special guests (including Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon and Olympic Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo).
A few nights ago, I personally visited Filinvest City Central Park (Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vzt8D9yLzRSVVhae9) and I saw the new decorations highlighting the Christmas season. They look very similar to what was set up in 2024, notably the tall Christmas tree and the permanent structures that only needed decorating.
The Filinvest City sign at the Central Park.
Tall Christmas tree in the background, other decorations and lights in the foreground.
A short distance away from the tall Christmas tree was the park’s standout structure called The Tree (launched in late 2024) which has a very unique design that not only provides people cover from rain or intense sunlight but serves as a helpful place for special activities. At night, lights of different colors are projected towards The Tree which make a fine visual attraction.
As of this writing, I noticed there were lesser non-permanent structures (that were decorated with additional Christmas lights) during my visit at the park. Since Filinvest City still has a lot of activities scheduled at the central park, there is always the possibility that additional structure and lights will be set up soon. For reference about non-permanent structures and lights, click here for my 2024 Christmas Filinvest City Central Park article.
The permanent park structures plus added decorations and lights.
Visitors taking pictures at the tall Christmas tree.
Unsurprisingly, Filinvest City Central Park remains popular with families, visitors from other cities, some foreign tourists, and those who love the open-air environment of the CBD. It would be interesting to see if there will be more visitors coming to the park during the weekends leading to Christmas as the brand new Starbucks Filinvest branch with drive-thru has been attracting a lot of customers since it opened. That being said, Filinvest City announced through social media a schedule of events or activities happening at the central park.
Set to happen at Filinvest City Central Park are the following: Holiday Lights Symphony at The Tree on November 22, December 7 and December 20 starting 7PM; Fireworks Displace on November 22, December 7 and December 20 starting 8PM. Live musical performances on November 22-23, November 30, December 7, December 20-21 starting 6PM. To see the complete park activities schedule, click https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17aEHGaGX4/
Christmas is still all about Lord Jesus
The theme of Filinvest City’s Christmas campaign this year is titled as “Celebrate Magical Christmas Moments.”
First and foremost, Christmas is all about Lord Jesus, the Savior and hope of ALL nations. During the season, we remember not only His birth in Bethlehem in Israel, but also His overall significance and the hope He always bring to people. The world we live in is twisted and chaotic. While there are many who are indeed faithful to Lord Jesus, there are still many other people out there who remain lost and unsaved. A lot of people ended up lost as they allowed themselves to be manipulated by the secular, the worldly and other rebellious forces of the world we live in.
God sent His Son Jesus to us to pave the way for people to get saved and become part of His Kingdom. Realize how much God loves His creations and none of us would exist without Him. Learn from the bible verses below.
For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.
John 3:16 (TPT)
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7 (NKJV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)
By honoring, praising and following Lord Jesus, we are connected with the Heavenly Father. When we are faithful to the Lord, it is clear that we do not let the worldly nor wickedness get in the way. It is essential that we must have uncompromising faith in the Lord. Learn from the bible verses below.
Then Jesus answered and said to them,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”
John 5:19-23 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said,
“I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”
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Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa with over two hundred thirty million people, is now in the spotlight over the continued killings of Christians committed by Islamists and already United States President Donald Trump officially warned their national government that if the killings continued, America will halt aid and act militarily, according to a news report by Breitbart and other sources (for Trump’s Truth Social post, click here).
To be clear, the rise of Islamists and Islamic terrorists in Nigeria has been growing over the past several years (notably a major tragedy happened in 2014 committed by Islamic terrorists and several abducted girls remain missing). Islamic persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria has worsened this year and so far the corrupted mainstream news media (which often sides with Islamo-Leftists) provided very little news coverage about the tragedies. Very clearly, there is genocide against Christians in the country and it is indeed very crucial that President Trump made everyone aware of it.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Breitbart’s news report. Some parts in boldface…
President Donald Trump warned that if the Nigerian government continued to allow Christians in the country to be killed, the United States military “may very well” go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump instructed the Department of War to “prepare for possible action,” adding that if the U.S. does attack, “it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.” Trump also threatened to “stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said in his post.
Trump continued: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
Trump’s warning comes after he previously said that Christians were “facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” and pointed out that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by radical Islamists.
The President also took action to designate Nigeria as a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” and asked Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to work together “to immediately look into this matter” and report back to him with their findings.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said in a post on Friday. “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like it happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
In response to Trump’s comments about the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar denied that there was a genocide occurring in the country.
For additional insight about Trump and the Islamists’ persecution of Christians in Nigeria, watch the selected YouTube videos below…
I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for the protection and healing of the Christians in Nigeria who were affected by the violent Islamists. Pray to Him with Psalm Chapter 91 from the Holy Bible to help the Christians in the country. Preach the Word of God and remind everyone that Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations. Pray to God for the breakthrough and for further support for President Trump and his administration. Pray to Him to end the genocide against Christians and to bring all the guilty Islamists to justice.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Nigerian government will not do anything to protect Christians from the Islamic terrorists even as Trump publicly pressure them to act? How many Islamic terrorists do you think there are in Nigeria and how much resources do you think they have to keep on terrorizing people? Who do you think is funding the Islamic terrorists in Nigeria?
Thank the Lord for United States President Donald Trump as the State Department officially announced it will put an end to the anti-Christian practices that went into effect by the previous administration, according to a Newsmax report.
For the newcomers reading this, when Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the State Department became hostile towards Christians in various ways while favoring Satanic Leftist ideology and causes (example: LGBT). In other words, the State Department under Biden and the Democrats became discriminating towards Christians. Let us not forget the Democrats’ love for unholy causes like abortion, same-sex marriage, critical race theory (CRT), and more.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Newsmax. Some parts in boldface.
The State Department said Friday that it will “eradicate” anti-Christian practices that were in place under the Biden administration, as directed by the Trump administration.
“Our nation was founded on the recognition that moral virtue and a steadfast faith in God are necessary preconditions of freedom,” the department said on its official X account. “Yet under the Biden Administration, U.S. foreign policy belittled Christianity and weaponized government against faith.
“That era has ended,” the post continued. “Under @POTUS’s leadership, the State Department will eradicate practices that devalue and demean the Christian faith.”
In its initial assessment, the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias found that under the Biden administration, the State Department “stigmatized employees for religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate” and cast “blame for disease on the unvaccinated.”
“The Department of State empowered employees to publicly shame and demean their colleagues with religious objections, even calling them ‘plague rats’ and ‘murderers,‘” the report said. “In one instance, an ambassador directly accused an unvaccinated subordinate of ‘wanting to kill’ the ambassador’s mother. The process used for determining religious exemptions involved an invasive questionnaire demanding highly personal information, reportedly far exceeding the legal requirements.
“Those who received religious accommodations were further shamed and humiliated as they were required to test for COVID weekly in view of others; disclose their accommodations to colleagues; and wear masks essentially marking them with a scarlet letter,” the document said.
In the State Department under Biden, Christian homeschool parents who were federal employees were harassed because of their religious beliefs, and their “commonsense parental choice” was likened to “child abuse.”
These parents were targeted with “Inspector General investigations, IRS referrals, and threats of criminal charges and disciplinary action,” according to the report.
The State Department’s foreign policy “disfavored Christians” and imposed “ideologically driven LGBT policies and programming on foreign governments” while offering “only muted responses to brutal attacks on, and the repression of, Christians overseas.”
The department also limited “humanitarian relief to Christians.”
According to the report, overseas leave policies under Biden “discriminatorily disfavored Christian State Department employees, instilling a culture of bias in which Catholics and other Christians reported being mocked for their religious beliefs by their colleagues.”
“In some cases, State Department employees were given leave for Muslim holidays, even as operations continued on Passover, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday and Monday,” the document stated.
Now, I want to share with you the following verses from the Holy Bible.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:9-13 (NKJV)
For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5 (AMPC)
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you like the major changes being done in government under President Trump’s leadership? Were you a victim of discrimination by the Biden administration?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from my personal experiences and observations during the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined and what happened during my free time. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back, readers and fellow followers of the Lord! This is the 10th chapter of my ongoing series of articles about the holy nation of Israel with recollections about the experiences and discoveries I had during the pilgrimage tour I joined with my local church (hosted by strategic partner Behold Israel). To see my previous Israel tour articles, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. No matter what happens in this twisted world we live in, I will always stand with Israel and my faith in the Lord remains uncompromising!
In this latest edition of my Israel 2023 series, I share with you what I experienced when our pilgrimage tour group visited the Southern Steps (also referred to as the Southern Stairs and Rabbi Stairs) located at the lower part of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Thanks to our dedicated local tourist guide, our tour group had a meaningful visit there and we spent several minutes observing the place. Our time at the steps concluded with a bible teaching led by New Life Philippines Pastor Edwin Tugano. In my personal experience, I felt something from the Lord there as I realized the biblical relevance of the holy site as well as insight regarding what the place was like thousands of years ago.
This is me at the Southern Steps in Jerusalem, Israel.
The site is very significant as it is the place that served as one of the main entrances from the south to the Temple Mount during the time of Lord Jesus. In fact, people coming from the City of David going north to the Temple Mount used the Southern Steps very long ago. Also, the Southern Steps became a useful place where rabbis and their disciples gathered for faith lessons and this explains why the said steps are also called the Rabbi Stairs. Physically, the steps were hundreds of feet wide which provided abundant space for congregating and teaching.
As many centuries had passed since Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven, there were physical changes that happened at the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount and this is evident as visitors today cannot access the mentioned sacred site above (where the Jewish temples used to be) using the Southern Steps. This is because there is noticeable expansion of the Southern Wall blocking the steps’ upward access to the Temple Mount. I myself had touched that wall and noticed how its stone quality and colors differed from the rest of the Southern Wall.
I brought the Passion Translation Holy Bible with me at the Southern Steps. After taking this image, I climbed up the steps, reached the Southern Wall and touched it.
Regardless, the step themselves – composed of the original stones from Jesus’ time (those steps with the rougher stones) plus newer ones (added to fill the gaps) leading to the Southern Wall – are still there and climbing them required methodical walking. The Southern Steps today are widely visited by faithful Christians from around the world as it is a holy site and it is very likely that Lord Jesus Himself climbed the steps going to the Temple Mount. There is no doubt that Lord Jesus and His disciples also gathered at the steps for teachings. The holy site should remind you about the significance of Lord Jesus’ presence in Jerusalem.
In my experience there at the Southern Steps with my tour companions, I felt the holiness of the place and that became more evident as I opened the Holy Bible during the bible teaching led by our pastor right there. During our time there, I noticed another pilgrimage tour group was present with us several feet away.
Did Pentecost happen at the Southern Steps?
Our pilgrimage tour group in the foreground, and another group in the background. The Southern Steps is an essential place for Christians to visit in Israel.
By reading the biblical reference of Pentecost and connecting it with my observations of the holy site, I can say that the Southern Steps is a possible place where Pentecost may have happened. I can even say that it is a more suitable place – where about three thousand Jews got baptized after the apostle Peter preached the good news – than the Upper Room (itself a popular location in many paintings and artworks dramatizing Pentecost).
Take a close look at the biblical record of Pentecost below…
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him:
‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted [j]to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 2:1-41 (NKJV)
Take note that verse 2 of Chapter 2 in the Book of Acts specifically mentioned “house” which is not limited to houses. In fact, in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Jewish temple is referred to as the house – as in the house of the Lord. The place of worship of the Lord!
Still within biblical context, “house” – as seen in verse 36 with “house of Israel” – also symbolizes family and lineage in the Holy Bible. “House of Israel” refers to the entire nation descended from Abraham through Jacob and Isaac and that includes the Jewish people (descendants) who were present in Jerusalem during Pentecost. For relevance of the house of Israel, read 2 Kings 7:1-16 in the Holy Bible – God’s words for King David passed through the prophet Nathan.
In the foreground are the Southern Steps and the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount. In the background is more of Jerusalem. (source – screenshot taken from the Instagram video of Hananya Naftali)
As it was an essential form of access into the Temple Mount, the Southern Steps also served as a natural place of gathering, spacious enough to accommodate thousands of Jews. As mentioned earlier, these wide and spacious holy stairs are a more suitable place than the Upper Room for Pentecost to happen.
Also take note that verse 41 of Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts mentions that there were around three thousand Jews who got baptized and helped the church of Lord Jesus grow a lot on the day of Pentecost itself (for relevance, read John 3:3 in the Holy Bible). This also means that there were between fifteen thousand to thirty thousand people in Jerusalem who witnessed Pentecost happen. Having been at the Southern Steps myself, I can easily visualize the whole place – from the steps themselves and the space between them and the City of David in the south, plus the whole stretch of the Southern Wall – being filled with lots of people on that very day. Having attended the bible teaching led by our pastor who stood at the steps facing us south, I can visualize the apostle Peter preaching to thousands of Jewish people there long ago.
Our pastor Edwin Tugano (standing on the ancient steps facing us) led the bible teaching for me and my pilgrimage group companions.
There is absolutely no way that the 3,000 people who received Christ and got baptized would fit inside the Upper Room at the time of Pentecost. When the apostle Peter preached, he was not surrounded by only a tiny group of people but by a huge crowd who listened. The other apostles were with Peter back then. This should remind you that the artists responsible for the paintings and artworks portraying Pentecost happening inside the Upper Room or within an indoor place with walls and a roof did not fully understand the biblical record of Pentecost. In other words, those artists got it wrong and the Bible proves they are wrong. This should remind you to maintain faith in God’s Word, not in man-made artworks.
Once again, the Southern Steps is a possible site of Pentecost. It may not be definitive but it definitely is more suitable than the Upper Room for congregating and preaching in front of thousands. The other possible places where Pentecost may have happened include the Royal Stoa (which was intact at the Southern Wall covering its length and was located high above the Southern Steps) and at the Jewish Temple itself.
While the exact location of Pentecost remains unresolved, I encourage you all to always keep faith in the Lord and His Word knowing that Pentecost truly happened as it was an anointed by the Lord to happen. Location is one thing, but the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit are always essential to our faith in Lord Jesus.
Conclusion
It was destiny from the Lord for me and my pilgrimage tour group to visit the Southern Steps. I felt the unction from the Holy Spirit to capture this very moment upon arrival there.
I can say that me and my pilgrimage tour group companions were blessed by the Lord during our time at the Southern Steps. Simply thinking about Lord Jesus teaching His followers at the steps is uplifting There clearly is a lot to learn and discover by being at the holy site and having the Bible for reference. I thank Lord Jesus for blessing us, for our pastors and our local tour guide, and for the anointed experience at the Southern Steps. I definitely will revisit those steps when I return to Israel.
Israel is a great and holy place to visit! Visit Israel with the Holy Bible! Pray to the Lord wholeheartedly and reveal to Him your heart’s desire to visit Israel to deepen your faith in Him. Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Follow the light of Lord Jesus, keep on praying to support Israel, learn to love and bless the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Watch out for more Israel 2023 travel articles here. There is more to come!
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers, fellow faithful believers of Lord Jesus and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
For this edition of the series, we will focus on Christian videos on YouTube remembering our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as this week is Holy Week. May the selected videos below deepen your faith in Lord Jesus, the Hope of ALL nations!
#1 Planetshakers’ The Greatest Name music video featuring Darlene Zschech – I blogged about this recently and it truly is relevant for Holy Week. Planetshakers recently published their music video of The Greatest Name and they have Pastor Darlene Zschech (formerly with Hillsong Church) singing and honoring the Lord with them. This worship music video must be seen as it can truly lift up the faithful person to worship and honor the Lord.
#2 HolyLandSite’s Israel videos – When it comes to learning about the Holy Land in Israel and their connections with the Holy Bible (the Word of God), YouTube channel HolyLandSite is easily the best producer of Holy Land videos. For your faith in the Lord and for your pursuit of biblical relevance, I posted below the selected videos from HolyLandSite. Prepare yourselves with the Bible and watch these videos.
#3 New Life Music’s Testimony worship music video – In June of 2023, New Life Music (the worship music team of New Life Philippines) posted the official video (backstage sessions) of their original worship song Testimony. Co-written by Nash Soliven, Camille Cuna, Erican Reyes, Timothy Mena, Charity Patricio, Josiah Patricio and Sam Mokamad, Testimony will not only uplift the faithful spiritually but also remind them how God moved in their lives. If you have not seen it yet, do it now without hesitation.
#4 Teaching by Pastor Darlene Zschech – If you seek biblical teaching, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and ways to receive the Lord’s commands better, I recommend watching this teaching of God’s Word led by Pastor Darlene Zschech. This teaching is from Hope Unlimited Church’s (HopeUC) Hearing from God series.
#5 Teaching by Pastor Mylene Evangelista – Without the Word of God, a lot more people today would have declined as worldliness and twisted forces always surround everyone. If you are feeling down or intimidated right now, you can learn how to handle your world with God’s Word by watching this teaching by Pastor Mylene Evangelista of New Life Philippines.
In ending this post, I share with you the following scriptures from the Holy Bible.
Jesus answered him,
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
John 3:3 (AMPC)
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NKJV)
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.
“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. 6If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned. But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done. When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!
John 15:1-8 (TPT)
Thank you for your time. Always move forward with uncompromising faith in the Lord. Always remember that Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations as He is God’s son as well as the Anointed Mediator between the Heavenly Father and men (1 Timothy 2:5). Also pray to the Lord to support Israel, its people and for the peace of Jerusalem.
Recently, Planetshakersreleased via YouTube their newest music video of the worship song The Greatest Name and they have Pastor Darlene Zschech singing with them. It is a very uplifting work of worship music and you can watch it right now.
The Greatest Name refers to the name of Lord Jesus, the Savior and Redeemer of all. The worship song and the music video itself are lively reminders that God the Heavenly Father sent His son Jesus to us to redeem us and pave the way for a genuine union with Him. As such, this worship music collaboration between Planetshakers and Darlene Zschech more than wonderful…it is anointed by the Lord.
For the newcomers reading this, Planetshakers is a Christian church based in Melbourne, Australia and their music team is a very blessed group which produced a whole lot of worship songs the resonated with faithful Christians around the world. I myself attended a Planetshakers worship event here in the Philippines in September 2022. Pastor Darlene Zschech is with Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC) and was previously with Hillsong Church and its worship music team Hillsong Worship.
Going back to the worship song The Greatest Name, I encourage you all to pay close attention to two translations of Philippians 2:9-11 in the Holy Bible and they are displayed below for your reference and faith in Lord Jesus. I also added a few other relevant verses.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)
Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names!
The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh,” bringing glory and honor to God, his Father!
Philippians 2:9-11 (TPT)
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 (NKJV)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
If you want to discover and learn more about Planetshakers, I encourage you to click here (Facebook page), here (Instagram), here (Twitter) and here (YouTube). To know more about Planetshakers itself, visit https://www.planetshakers.com/
In closing this, posted below are the otherworship music videos of The Greatest Name from Planetshakers’ YouTube channel. Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He is also the hope of ALL nations! Move forward with unbreakable and uncompromising faith in Him! Seek Him first and always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!
Author Carlo Carrasco 