Who is the ravenous bird in Isaiah 46:11?

Various are the ways and means employed by the enemies of tryth in order to hinder people from accepting the commission of Bro. Felix Manalo as God’s last messenger. We sincerely believe that Bro. Felix Manalo is the fulfillment of the prophecy mentioned in Isaiah 46:11.

Lately, our critics have found, allegedly, a prima facie evidence to prove that Cyrus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s concerning the ravenous bird. The evidence, they aver, is Isaiah 46:11 itself. They cite The living bible thus: ”I will call the swift bird of prey from the east—that man Cyrus from far away.”

At first glance, it seems that our critics are justified in believing that Cyrus is the ravenous bird mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah. Our readers must take note of the fact that our detractors conveniently used Isaiah 46:11 of the living bible which was translated in a paraphrase style.

What are paraphrases, by the way? “To paraphrase is to say something in different words than the author used. It is a restatement of an author’s thoughts, using different words than he did.” (Preface, The living Bible) Take note to that, Is there any danger in this style of translation? “There are dangers in paraphrases, as well as values. For whenever the author’s exact words are not translated from the original languages, there is a possibility that the translator, however honest, may be giving the English reader something that the original writer did not mean to say.”

If there is danger whenever the author’s exact words are not translated from the original language, thus giving the readers something the original writer did not mean to say, how much more when the translator inserted something that the original author did not say.

Most of the translations and versions of the bible do not contain the name Cyrus as far as Isaiah 46:11 is concerned. The conclusion is inevitable—the name Cyrus was inserted by the translator of The living bible. Such an actuation is extremely dangerous.

We are not against from The living bible or any translations or versions of the bible per se, but we reject and do not use any verse erroneously translated.
Is our rejection of Cyrus as the alleged fulfillment of Isaiah 46:11 merely based on our refusal to accept Isaiah 46:11 of the living bible because it was erroneously translated? What differentiate the Ravenous bird from Cyrus?

THE RAVENOUS BIRD

The ravenous bird will execute God’s counsel… Is. 46:11
God’s counsel is to bring his righteousness and salvation to those who are stouthearted and far from righteousness… Is. 46:11-13
The ravenous bird will snatch people out of the fire… Jude 1:23
This is God’s counsel… Is. 46:13
The name of the ravenous bird, a man, is not mentioned… Is. 46:11

CYRUS

Cyrus shall perform all of God’s pleasure… Is. 44:28
God’s pleasure is that Jerusalem be built and the temple’s foundation be laid. Cyrus, king of Persia did this… Ezra 1:1-11
Cyrus is to subdue nations before him… Is. 45:1
The kingdoms of the earth were given to Cyrus… Ezra 1:3
Cyrus’ name is mentioned in the prophecy… Is. 44:28, 45:1


These are merely some of the differences between the ravenous bird and Cyrus. The conclusion is inevitable: Cyrus is not the ravenous bird mentioned in Isaiah 46:11. Who then is the fulfillment? We sincerely believe Bro. Felix Manalo is the fulfillment of the said prophecy. We will therefore proceed to unravel the prophecy and to show its fulfillment.

Let us quote Isaiah 46:11-13, King james Version:

“Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
“Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:”
“I will bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

Who are the stouthearted or hard –hearted and are far from righteousness? Certainly not Israel although they were hard-hearted for them belonged to covenants, giving of the law, the right to serve God, and the promises (Rom. 9:4). For the benefit of Israel, Cyrus’ spirit was moved by God to build him a house at Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-11). Who then, are not only stouthearted but are also far from righteousness? The gentiles: “You were not born Jewish. You are the people the Jews call "uncircumcised."Those who call you "uncircumcised" call themselves "circumcised." (Their circumcision is only something they themselves do on their bodies.) Remember that in the past you were without Christ. You were not citizens of Israel, and you had no part in the agreements with the promise that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God.” Eph. 2:11-12

The Ravenous bird from the east is actually a man from a far country. He is, therefore, from the far east. This is supported by a related prophecy in Isaiah 43:5-6 wherein it is stated that God’s chosen messenger and his seed are from the far east:

“Don't be afraid, because I am with you. I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.I will tell the north: Give my people to me. I will tell the south: Don't keep my people in prison. Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from faraway places.”

Students of history will readily admit that Cyrus is from Persia (presently called Iran) a country geographically located in the middle east, (webster’s new world dictionary of the American language) another proof that Cyrus is not the Ravenous bird prophesied by Isaiah 46:11.

By the name will the seed from the far East, the object of God’s counsel to be performed by the Ravenous bird, be called? They will be called by the name by God for his glory (Isa. 43: 5-7). The name Christ is for God’s glory (Acts 2:36; Philip. 2:9-11) How is the name Christ called upon the beneficiaries of God’s counsel, that is, his righteousness and salvation? They are called Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa). The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation and God’s righteousness is revealed therein. The ravenous bird , therefore, is a preacher of the gospel and not a subduer of nations as Cyrus was, another glaring proof that Cyrus is not that Ravenous bird.

The time element involved in the prophecy concerning the ravenous bird and his seed from the far east, recognized by God as his sons and daughters, is ends of the earth. The end of the earth is Christ’s second coming (Mt. 24:3). So, when is the ends of the earth? “In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to come.” Mt. 24:33 Which are the things to be seen heralding that the end of the earth is near, things that will happen during the ends of the earth?

“You will hear about wars and stories of wars that are coming, but don't be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight against other nations; kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat, and there will be earthquakes in different places. These things are like the first pains when something new is about to be born.” Mt. 24:6-8

And all these referring to the First World war that started on July 27, 1914 is the time where the Church of Christ registered on the Philippine government.