This “Homecoming: A Spiritual Analogy of the 80th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary” article is written on the 80th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary on Sunday, October 20, 2024. A joint medical and gift-giving mission led by the local government unit in Palo, Leyte, and “Operation Help One Another” (OHOA) led by Chaplain Don Biadog, Jr, originally from Talisay, Negros Occidental, honoring the sacrificial services of all the members of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). I included the story of General Douglas MacArthur because of his strategic role in liberating the Philippines, including my parents, Manuel and Emiliana Biadog, and millions of Filipinos during WWII. Finally, I made a fascinating spiritual analogy of the Christian teaching on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming back again. The Apostle Paul said, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV). The Apostle John said, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen” Revelation 1:7 (NKJV).
Homecoming is a joyful occasion. Deployed service members in combat zones or training at sea or foreign soil look forward to coming home to their families and friends, such as the USS Mount Whitney (LLC-20) sailors and staff experience returning to Gaeta, Italy on Saturday, October 3, 2015, after an extended nine-month availability in Rijeka, Croatia. The United Service Organization (USO) Naples team was there during the “Welcome Home Heroes Day.” USO’s whose motto “Until Everyone Comes Home,” aims to boost morale to returning warriors and awaiting families by bringing goodies and friendly greetings and cheers during the homecoming of warriors. Students anticipate the day when they are home for the holidays. High School and College graduates homecoming is customarily a jubilant event such as the William Carey University’s homecoming Alumni Award celebration on April 20, 2018, in Hattiesburg, MS. I was blessed to receive the Alumni Hall of Fame Award. Honored guests during ceremony included my mentors and long-time friends Pastor Travis and Karen Moore and Pastor Doyle and Linda Moore. They taught me and many others about the eternal spiritual “Homecoming” of all Christians. Troops and their families stationed overseas count the days when they finally can return to the Continental United States (CONUS), the home of the brave and the land of the free. Homecoming is generally a blissful experience indeed.
Two major historical and biblical personalities stand out - One served in the military and the Other served and gave His life for mankind, promised to return or a homecoming to group of people they loved.
On Wednesday, March 11, 1942, Douglas MacArthur, an American five-star General and Field Marshal of the Philippine Army, left Corregidor Island, Philippines, hesitantly. He promised to return to his soldiers, sailors and the Filipino people who were about to be captured by the invading Japanese forces. While on travel in Terowie railway station in South Australia on March 20, 1942, MacArthur uttered the famous speech, "I came through and I shall return."
In 33 AD in Mount of Olives, Israel, Jesus Christ promised His disciples to come back. Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:1-3 (NKV).
MacArthur said, “I shall return.” Jesus said, “I will come again.” “I shall return” means that there is a possibility that I may come back. It also implied that I may not make it back. In other words, it was not a hundred percent sure General MacArthur would be able to keep his promise to return. On the other hand, when Jesus said, “I will come back,” it means with complete certainty, without a shadow of a doubt that He will return to earth someday.
Extra measure of grace from the good LORD and hard work, teamwork, tenacity, and selfless sacrifices by the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans at home and abroad, the Allies and most of all the USAFFE and the Filipino guerrillas made it possible for General MacArthur and his troops to return safely back to the Philippine soil.
Here is the excerpt of his famous speech after landing in Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944:
“I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil -- soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible, strength, the liberties of your people…. The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history…. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on…. For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!”
General MacArthur left his troops on March 11, 1942, on Corregidor Island and returned to Leyte Island October 20, 1944 as he promised. (I am honored to visit the hallowed grounds of Corregidor Island in 2006, 2013, 2014, and 2019 and Leyte Island in 1977, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2019.)
Spiritually speaking, Jesus ascended to heaven 2,000 years ago from the Mount Olives, Israel and His disciples were, and present-day followers are still waiting for His return. (I am honored to have the rare opportunity to visit the sacred ground of Mount Olives, Israel on May 28, 2011, and February 17-19, 21, 2024.) I still believe that Jesus is coming back soon. God operates in kairos, means the right, critical, or opportune moment while man operates in chronos (chronological or sequential time).
On the other hand, Jesus ascended to heaven 2,000 years ago from the Mount Olives, Israel and His disciples were, and present-day followers are still waiting for His return. (I am honored to have the rare opportunity to visit the sacred ground of Mount Olives, Israel on May 28, 2011.) I still believe that Jesus is coming back soon. When is He (Jesus) coming back? I and millions of Christians throughout the centuries and around the world believe Jesus will come back again. Jesus promised His return to the first century believers. The first disciples did not know the exact time when Jesus comes back again. Mark 13:32 says, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." In addition, Jesus told His disciples the signs of His return.
While waiting for Jesus’ return to earth the second time, let’s spend time doing good for others and help our neighbors in need. One of the positive things you and your organization or church or chapel can do is to help others in need. The idea of helping others is always ingrained in my system ever since I can remember growing up in the farm in Negros, Philippines. It is no surprise that I introduced an initiative such as “Operation Help One Another” (OHOA), a Christian humanitarian-assistance-driven initiative based in San Diego, CA. When I joined the U.S. Navy in February 1990, I introduced the outreach idea of OHOA when I was stationed on board ships, stationed overseas, deployed to a disaster area such as in Barangay Guinsaugon, St Bernard, South Leyte landslide in February 2006, and in the War Zone in Iraq. Later, I was able to incorporate the concept into the missions of the forward-deployed units when I was stationed in Okinawa from 1997-2000 and 2003-2007. It continued when I was stationed in Petaluma, California, Newport, Rhode Island, Silverdale, Washington, Naples, Italy, and San Diego, California. During the holidays, I led in the collection of collection of holiday toys and humanitarian items for the poor people, children, refugees, and migrants where I was stationed in the Far East Nations, CONUS, and Europe countries.
Let’s spread the Good News that Jesus loves everyone and that He died for our sins, and He promises heaven for those who believe. Jesus may come back tomorrow, next month, next week, next year or 1,000 years from now. The Apostle Peter said, “Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (HCSB).
Disturbing current events are happening such as the unending warfare in the Middle East, Ukraine versus Russia, and in many countries around the world. The natural and man-made disasters such as El Nino and Super typhoons and tsunamis in the Pacific, Super Storms/Hurricanes in the Atlantic, and worldwide floods and earthquakes including the recent earthquake in Pozzuoli, Italy and the eruption of Russian volcano called “Raikoke” affect millions of people around the globe. Signs of Jesus’ approaching Second Coming abound.
Additionally, Jesus mentioned in the last days there will be cunning works of the deceivers who will come in His name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah.’
He reiterated to His disciples, “You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars…. nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains…. they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another…. lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:3-14).
When General MacArthur returned to the Philippines, he was warmly welcomed by his soldiers, sailors, and liberated Leytenos on October 20, 1944, in Palo, Leyte. He gave credit to the LORD saying the “grace of Almighty God” made it possible for him and his 130,000 landing forces’ safe return and reunion with his other forces. He concluded his discourse, “The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!” It was “righteous victory” indeed!
Since we really do not know the exact time when Jesus returns, I recommend embracing the U.S. Coast Guard motto, “Always Ready” (Semper Paratus). Always be ready for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! The 21st high technology makes it possible to see Jesus literally when He returns. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 HCSB).
Any day now! Hear the trumpet of God sounds. Any day now! Watch, pray, help the helpless, and focus on Jesus’ return. Any day now! The greatest Homecoming of all time is coming soon. Are you ready? The only way that you are truly ready is for you to say this prayer, believing in Jesus as your Savior with all your heart:
“Dear God, I know that I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sins. I ask you to forgive me for all my sins. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and LORD. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead to life. Jesus, I now place my trust in You and I surrender my life to You. Please come into my life right now and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. The Bible promises that when I die, I will be with You forever and ever. I pray this in the Holy name of Jesus. Amen.”
Welcome to God’s Family! Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJV)