The Pope, Islam and the Harlot Church

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Pope Benedict XVI has become the center of a media firestorm over a statement that strikes me as common as saying the sun will rise tomorrow. During a speech in Germany at a university where he used to teach, he quoted Manuel II Palaeologus, a 14th-century Byzantine Christian emperor, who said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." I'm not sure what event sparked Manuel II Palaeologus to make his comment. I have to wonder what his majesty would say today about the more recent accomplishment of the followers of Muhammad. Here is a very, very abbreviated list: * The 9/11 attack that killed more than 3,000 people * The murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh for making a film that criticized Islam's treatment of women * The 7/7 London bombings – more than 40 dead * The 1994 rush-hour bombings in Spain that killed 202 * The terror bombings in India that killed 500 * The Darfur Humanitarian Crisis that left 200,000 dead * In a single month, violence between Islamic groups in Iraq kills 7,000 * The British police's halt of a plot to blow up a dozen aircraft * Iran's call for a new holocaust against Israel * Al Qaeda's death threat against all non-Muslims in Iraq The ironic thing about Pope Benedict's statement is the reaction it generated in the Muslim world. When confronted by their history, they rioted in the street. One Islamic group came up with the novel idea of protesting "violence against Muslims" by fire-bombing two churches in the West Bank -- neither of which were Catholic. One should not forget the brutal murder of Sister Leonella in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Western leaders make the mistake of blaming Al Qaeda for all the terrorist acts. Every day there are some new Islamic groups that take responsibility for some gruesome act of terrorism. To find the root cause, you need to go to the source - the Koran: * Surah Muhammad [47]:3 says, “When you meet the unbelievers on the battlefield, strike off their heads…." * Surah Anfal [8]:12 says, “I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the tips of their fingers.” * Surah al-Nisa’[4]:74 says, “Let those who would exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, fight for the cause of God….” * Surah al-Nisa’[4]:56 says, “The true believer fights for the cause of God, but the infidel fights for the devil.” * Surah al-Nisa’[4]:101 says, “The unbelievers are your inveterate enemies.” * Surah al-Ma’idah [5]:51 says, “Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends.” I think a review of the DVD "Is Islam itself violent?" says it best: "Through an examination of the Koran, other Islamic texts, and the example of the prophet Muhammad, this documentary establishes, through a sober and methodical presentation, that violence against non-Muslims is and has always been an integral aspect of Islam. 'Jihad,' while best translated as 'struggle,' as represented in the Koran and the life of Muhammad, means nothing less than organized warfare against unbelievers. Furthermore, Muhammad's life is the sacred and holy model that all faithful Muslims must follow today. Just as Muhammad waged war throughout Arabia in the 7th Century, his followers continued to conquer, enslave, and devastate other peoples and cultures on three continents." I do not look for a conflict between Islam and Christianity. Bible prophecy tells us that in the last days all major eligions will set aside their differences and join together to form a global religious alliance. The Antichrist will use this organization as a stepping stone for his own plan to set himself up as the world's savior. Pope John Paul II is credited for holding history's largest pan-religious meeting. In October 1986 and 1995, at the Italian city of Assisi, Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, pagans, Jews, Muslims; Hindus; Shintos; Animist Snake Worshippers, Native Americans, and other religions converged to pray for peace. John Paul did much to advance the ecumenical movement, but in an odd way, he eventually became one of its biggest obstacles. His support for "inter-faith dialogue" with other world religions was always based on the notion that he, the head of the Catholic Church, must remain supreme. The Russian Orthodox Church was one faith that would have nothing to do with his supremacy talk. Another stumbling block to the harlot church was John Paul's stance on moral issues; liberal faiths could not stomach his strong conservative positions on abortion and gay rights. Pope Benedict XVI, by getting himself into trouble with the Muslims, may clear away the Catholic roadblocks. He is already singing a new tune about how he respects the Muslim faith. With nearly every other faith yielded to the spirit of comprise, we may soon see the Vatican setting aside doctrinal truth for the sake of unity. “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5).