The Pope’s Peacemaking Mission

by Todd Strandberg of RaptureReady.com

Pope Benedict XVI made a fence-mending visit to Turkey. His trip was given much media attention because it was the first Muslim nation he’s journeyed to since making negative remarks about Islam in September.

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."

As soon as Benedict made his remarks I knew there would be an embarrassing kiss up coming down the road. The world is rapidly headed towards the point where all religions will be part of what the Bible describes as the Harlot church.

“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5).

In order for the harlot church to come into existence, the Catholic church needs to be onboard. The Pope has more political influence than any other religious leader on earth.

The Turkey visit gave several indications that Benedict is playing along with ecumenical program. The 79-year-old pontiff became the second pope in history -- after John Paul II in Damascus in 2001 -- to set foot in a Muslim house of worship. While visiting Istanbul's Blue Mosque, he turned toward Mecca and assumed the position of Muslim prayer.

Another conciliatory move was his support for Turkey being allowed membership in the European Union. While still Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, he noted the religious divide between Europe and Turkey, saying it would be "a grave error... against the tide of history" to let Turkey join the E.U.

I think it is impossible to understand the true course of world events without factoring in the liberal media role in setting the agenda. The god of this world has caused the press to ignore unspeakable horrors committed by Muslims, while at the same time calling for Christians to be more tolerant.

The devil’s influence over the media is the way I can example how events like 911 and the London terror bombings could quicky become non-issues. In a different world, any journalist with an ounce of integrity would have to say the pope quoting Manuel II Palaeologus was a fair call.

I think the key to understanding the evil nature of this interfaith lovefest is the fact that christians are always the ones making the comprise. While the western world has made room for Muslims, the Islamic empires promise death to anyone who strays from the Islamic faith.

Since the theme of Pope Benedict’s Turkey trip was about reconciliation, maybe he should have asked his Islamic host about mass genocide against Armenian Christians during the World War I era.

The Bible is totally opposed to the idea that we should go around making peace with other faiths. Jesus said He was the only way to God, and you can’t to expect to make friends after broadcasting this unsettling truth.

I was reading a news blog the other day, and liked what one viewer wrote: “As a Christian I will treat a Jew or a Muslim exactly the way I treat anyone who denies the teachings of the New Testament. I will treat them as one who has an eternal soul that is in need of being redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Is that belief and behavior going to create an atmosphere that will 'settle conflict'? Not a chance; it will create conflict just as it did in Jesus' time. But if memory serves me, Jesus didn't fare so well in His lifetime by challenging the masses who were teaching contrary to the Word of God in His time.”

The day will eventually come when true Christians are as despised as the Lord Jesus. I think the pace of world events indicates that day may not be too far off.