Is Animal sacrifice Still required to Please God

What a pity that pagan religions and offshoots of Judaism still practice animal sacrifice. We who believe in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross must do more to get the word out regarding this gospel to those people.

We know that animals such as sheep and goats were sacrificed in the Old Testament and during the life of Christ. But they were only a foreshadowing of what Christ would do to take our sin away. Hebrews 10:10 (KJV) explains, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

In the Old Testament period , a priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the people's sins through sprinkling lamb's  blood on the altar. But Jesus put an end to that, as Hebrews 9:12 (KJV) explains,  "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

So how is it then that Hebrews 10:4 (KJV) says, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."? The animals sacrificed were just a spiritual I O U until the perfect Lamb of god would come.

As Hebrews 10:11 (KJV) explains, "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"

The Holy Spirit gave John the Baptist the inspiration to proclaim in John 1:29 (KJV) who this person would be. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'"

God wants all people to trust in Christ's completed work on the cross. As Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) proclaims, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

My goal is to assist people in finding the Lord, May he do this through my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I pray that people will realize that nothing we puny humans do will remove our sins from our account with God.

And speaking of trusting in the Lord, I plan on posting throughout December how so many prophecies were fulfilled just by Christ's birth. I'm sure you'll feel astonishment when you read those.

Which Gospel is the Correct One?

When we witness to Muslims, we need to understand that they don't understand the Bible. Many things about Scripture puzzle genuine seekers. And as for mockers, they just want to disprove and nullify God's Word. Be kind and patient with both since they need to hear the gospel from us.

As 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) admonishes, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

One question Joe Casey mentioned in his video series is that Muslims wonder which of the four gospels they should read. After all, shouldn't there only be one?

We know that each gospel writer had a different reason and readership in mind when they penned their books. Luke 1:2 (KJV), explained,  "Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;"

Like Luke, Mark wasn't an eyewitness of Christ's ministry but a student. In Mark's case, he learned from Peter. As the disciple with the foot-shaped mouth said in 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV),  "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, wrote in John 20:30-31, (BBE) that, "A number of other signs Jesus did before his disciples which are not recorded in this book:  But these are recorded, so that you may have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, having this faith you may have life in his name."

He also wrote in 1 John 5:13 (KJV) that, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Matthew wrote to Jews so that's why the first chapter of his gospel was about Christ's genealogy. As he said in Matthew 1:17 (KJV) about our Lord, "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations."

And as I've noted before, the Bible is authoritative and inspired, unlike the
Quran. What I wrote here will also go into my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Muslims are just as deserving of being presented with the gospel as any other group. Let's not shun but love these deceived folks.

On Thursday, I'll tackle the question of animal sacrifice. Stay tuned.

Saturday Song: Cher, "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves"

People certainly can be hypocritical about outward appearances. They claim they'd never do this or that but those folks secretly indulge themselves in what they despise in others.

The end of the chorus of this song says it all. The people of the town called that traveling show "Gypsies, tramps, and thieves" with enormous smugness and self-righteous pride. But after sunset, all the men would come around and lay their money down.

Listen to the song here.

But Romans 2:1  (BBE) shows ) that self-righteous people often project their sins onto others. Paul wrote, "So you have no reason, whoever you are, for judging: for in judging another you are judging yourself, for you do the same things."

In the previous chapter of Romans, Paul outlined how humanity sank into immorality. He knew that there would be people patting themselves on their backs because they never did any of the sinful things he listed.

But Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 (KJV), "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

All sin comes from the human heart. Doing external deeds such as not stealing or murdering looks good to people but all evil actions begin inside of us. Check out what Scripture says in James 1:13-15 (KJV). "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted of God:' for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

So, how do we avoid the trap of sin? Paul answers that in Galatians 5:16 (KJV). "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

How wonderful it is that we have the power from God to avoid the snares Satan sets up for us. We need not give in to sin because we think we have to make our lives livable.

On Monday, I'll deal with the confusion some Muslims have about our Bible containing four accounts of Christ's life.

Who Intercedes For Us, Jesus or Allah?

Like the previous post, the answer to this question is also obvious. Even so, I'll point out the true intercessor.

A good scripture to answer this question is Romans 8:34 (KJV). "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

But the Quran says in sura 39:35 (THRONGS) that, "Allah will acquit them of the worst of their deeds, and will reward them according to the best of what they used to do."

But 1 John 2:1 (KJV) reassures believers that, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

As I pointed out before, Allah is a demon and not our heavenly Father. Revelation 12:10 (KJV) speaks of the Devil this way. "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

I've also pointed out previously that the Quran and other so-called holy books are false gospels. Galatians 1:7 (KJV) says of these bogus gospels, "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

Better still, Christ understands us and our weaknesses. Hebrews 2:18 (BBE) assures us that, "For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others when they are tested."

How wonderful it is that we have such a caring friend advocating for us in heaven. I'll write more about his work in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Instead of a religion filled with duties and legalistic commandments, our Lord loves us and helps us through the sufferings of this world.

On Saturday, I'll be posting about a song which points out the hypocrisy of certain folks who pride themselves on being morally upright. God sees their secret sins which they hide from the public.

Who Intercedes For Us, Jesus or Allah?

Like the previous post, the answer to this question is also obvious. Even so, I'll point out the true intercessor.

A good scripture to answer this question is Romans 8:34 (KJV). "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

But the Quran says in sura 39:35 (THRONGS) that, "Allah will acquit them of the worst of their deeds, and will reward them according to the best of what they used to do."

But 1 John 2:1 (KJV) reassures believers that, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

As I pointed out before, Allah is a demon and not our heavenly Father. Revelation 12:10 (KJV) speaks of the Devil this way. "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

I've also pointed out previously that the Quran and other so-called holy books are false gospels. Galatians 1:7 (KJV) says of these bogus gospels, "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

Better still, Christ understands us and our weaknesses. Hebrews 2:18 (BBE) assures us that, "For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others when they are tested."

How wonderful it is that we have such a caring friend advocating for us in heaven. I'll write more about his work in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven. Instead of a religion filled with duties and legalistic commandments, our Lord loves us and helps us through the sufferings of this world.

On Saturday, I'll be posting about a song which points out the hypocrisy of certain folks who pride themselves on being morally upright. God sees their secret sins which they hide from the public.

Who Leads People Astray, God or Allah?

For those of us who trust in Christ, there's no doubt on this point. But for those who might still wonder, here's what the Bible says about God and what the Quran says about Allah.

Look at what Paul wrote in Titus 1:2 (KJV). "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"

But one of many examples of Allah leading people astray is sura 4:88 (Women). "What is the matter with you, divided into two factions regarding the hypocrites, when Allah Himself has overwhelmed them on account of what they did? Do you want to guide those whom Allah has led astray? Whomever Allah leads astray—you will never find for
him a way."

But some folks might argue that God blinds people spiritually. They might quote Deuteronomy 28:28 (KJV) which says, "The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:" 

But throughout Scripture, only those who refuse to see are spiritually blinded. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:18 (KJV) of the wicked, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"

Joe Casey, creator of the video series called Understanding Islam, said that the English versions of the Quran were altered so that the word "deceivers" was changed to "planners." Sura 3:54 (FAMILY OF IMRAN ) says, "They planned, and Allah planned; but Allah is the Best of planners."

But according to the Bible, Satan is the deceiver. Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:44 (KJV) that, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

I suppose that some folks will say that the Devil isn't Allah. Look at what Deuteronomy 32:17 (KJV) says about any other god than the real one. "They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not."

I'll be writing about this in more detail in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Satan is a real entity and we must be aware of how he tries to deceive the Lord's children.

On Thursday, I'll post about the one who intercedes for us in Heaven. We believers know who it is but the Quran contradicts the scriptures on this point as well.

Saturday Song: The Web Brothers, "Who Put the Roo in the Stew?"

Thanks to my New Zealand Friend, Maggie Rush, I found out about this hilarious song. It's based on a news item that some beef stew imported from Australia had kangaroo meet in it. The Web Brothers decided this was worthy of a song so they wrote about it.

Listen to the song here.

Like the man in the song said, I find that false doctrine doesn't "ring true." The Apostle Paul felt the same way. He wrote about the bogus gospels in Galatians 1:7 (KJV), "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

He also warned his protege in 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) about those who didn't want the plain and simple salvation gospel. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"

It might seem obvious to us but naive believers lack discernment. Like I once was, they believe anything they're told.

Some older believers also turn away from the faith. Paul lost so many believers to false gospels and apostasy, as he wrote in 2 Timothy 1:15 (KJV). "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."

This is why we must know the truth so well that falsehoods will be blatantly obvious. I'm told that bank tellers are so familiar with true bills that they can spot a counterfeit immediately. This is how we must act when people come into our churches with their heretical notions.

I hope you enjoyed this song and what I wrote. Please feel free to write your response to this post.

By the way, I'll be posting on Monday about the real one who leads people astray. We know it's Satan who does that but the Quran differs with the Bible on that point too

Were There God-Ordained Prophets After John?

In my continuing, and hopefully not tedious, comparison of Islam and Christianity, I need to deal with the subject of prophets prophesying after John. Both Islam and Mormonism claim to have been given revelations from the Lord through their divinely-inspired prophets. Is that true?

According to Matthew 11:13 (KJV), John was the final prophet sent by God. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."

Likewise, Luke 16:16 (KJV) explains, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

But what about Acts 11:28 (KJV)? Does this contradict what Jesus said? "And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar."

The verse doesn't say that Agabus was a special prophet, as Muhammad and Joseph Smith claimed themselves to be. This man just prophesied according to what the Holy Spirit told him. What he said came to pass, proving that he spoke from the Spirit and not from his own ideas.

Furthermore, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV), "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

By the way, this shows that tongues and prophecies wouldn't be with us forever but Christ's love is eternal. I know that some Christians assume those gifts are for our time too but this verse tells me otherwise.

This is one subject which I can't adequately cover in a blog post. I'll expand on it in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Many people figure that speaking in an unknown language is still for today but studies have shown what those people speak is gibberish and not a real language.

Islam and Christianity on Revenge

I know that many of us know what the Bible says about revenge, specifically what we should do about wrongs done to us. But the Quran teaches its adherents differently regarding this subject.

Sura 30:47 (THE ROMANS) states, "Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers."

However, Romans 12:19 (KJV) teaches us who follow Christ, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'"

On the other hand, the Quran has this to say, both about enemies and those who refuse to submit to Allah. Sura 8:12 (THE SPOILS) reads, "Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs."

But our Lord gave us a noble command regarding those who wish us harm. Matthew 5:44 (KJV) reads, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Furthermore, Muslims are commanded in the Quran to have only believing friends except in one circumstance. Sura 3:28 (FAMILY OF IMRAN) states, "Believers are not to take disbelievers for friends instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with Allah, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. Allah warns you to beware of Him. To Allah is the destiny."

This flies in the face of what Jesus taught. Paul also showed that there's no qualification regarding if the neighbour is a believer or sinner. Romans 13:9 (KJV) is clear on this point. "For this, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

This is another subject on which I could point out the ways Christianity is superior when compared to Islam or any other human religion. I'll save what I've written about this for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? It's obvious from reading both the Quran and the Bible that our scripture is far superior in every way.

On Thursday, I'll write about prophets coming after John the Baptist and whether or not they were sent by God. That's bound to stir up controversy, especially among Muslims and Mormons.

Saturday Song: Bolland, "You're in the Army Now"

Though this song was written and performed in the early eighties, it still brings back memories to us who lived through the Vietnam war years. In fact, the whole theme of the Domino Theory album is about that conflict and how it effected soldiers.

Listen to a live performance of this song here.

Believe it or not, all born-again Christians are in Christ's army. Only our weaponry is different from worldly armies and jihadists. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV), "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)"

Not only that but Paul likened our armor to the real thing. For example, we must wear our breastplates and helmets. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (KJV), he wrote, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

We also need to wear a belt to keep our armour together and for our scabbards. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:14 (KJV), "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) tells us how our only offensive weapon can defeat our satanic enemies.  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Paul likewise admonished his protege in 1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV) to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

How beautiful it is that we don't kill our enemies but love them with the gospel. Imagine how peaceful this world would be if no religions urged their followers to avenge themselves on those who don't believe the doctrines they do. But we're stuck with the world we have.

I'll be dealing with the topic of revenge on Monday. This is another subject where the Bible and the Quran differ.

Islam and Christianity on Heaven

Continuing on with my examination of Islam, I need to point out that their version of heaven is different from what God described in Scripture. Basically, it's fleshly rather than spiritual.

The Quran says in sura 3:15 (FAMILY OF IMRAN), "Say, “Shall I inform you of something better than that? For those who are righteous, with their Lord are Gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain forever, and purified spouses, and acceptance from Allah.” Allah is Observant of the servants." There are many other verses which say essentially the same thing.

But Christ contradicts what the Quran says. The Sadducees, who say there's no resurrection, tried asking our Lord a trick question regarding a fictitious woman who wed seven husbands. They wanted him to tell them who's wife she would be in heaven. Matthew 22:30 (KJV) records Jesus' answer. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

However, the Quran describes heaven in sura 56:27-40 (THE INEVITABLE). "And those on the Right—what of those on the Right? In lush orchards. And sweetsmelling plants. And extended shade. And outpouring water. And abundant fruit. Neither withheld, nor forbidden. And uplifted mattresses. We have created them of special creation. And made them virgins. Tender and unaging. For those on the Right. A throng from the ancients. And a throng from the latecomers."

But Jesus said in Matthew 25:34 (KJV), "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:'"

Scripture talks about a feast for the righteous but it doesn't say what's on the menu. Revelation 19:9 (KJV) reads, "And he saith unto me, 'Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he saith unto me, 'These are the true sayings of God.'"

And instead of lounging around and having sex, we'll be ruling with our Lord and Master. Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV) that, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:"

There's so much more I could write on this subject but the post would become too long. Instead, I'll write more about it in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? The future God has planned for those of us who yield our lives to Christ is far more grand than mere bodily pleasure as the Quran teaches.

On Saturday, I'll post about a wonderfully truthful song I heard on a bargain bin record I bought. Better still, it's perfectly themed for Remembrance Day / Veteran's Day.

Islam and Christianity on Obeying the Government

Another difference between Islam and Christianity is the way in which Muslims and Christians are taught about obedience to the governments of this world. Understanding this difference explains why people in both belief systems act the way they do.

The Quran says in sura 4:60 (WOMEN) that this world's rules are from the Devil. "Have you not observed those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, yet they seek Satanic sources for legislation, in spite of being commanded to reject them? Satan means to mislead them far away."

Their book also teaches that secular laws are secondary compared to what the Quran teaches. Muslims are told  to obey their theocratic religious authorities in all things. Sura 4:59 (anNisa’) reads, "O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best, and a most excellent determination."

But what does the Bible teach? Paul wrote in Romans 13:1 (BBE) that, "Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God."

Likewise, he wrote in Romans 13:7 (KJV) that we must, "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

When the Pharisees asked Jesus whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, Luke 20:25 (KJV) reads, "And he said unto them, 'Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.'"

I could write so much more about how God rules in this world. Instead, I'll leave that for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? We're commanded to only disobey when governments order us to do what God forbids or forbids what God commands us to do.



On Thursday, I'll post about Islam's view of heaven verses what the Bible teaches. Stay tuned.

Saturday Song: Daniel Amos, "Cloak and Dagger"

I can't recall how I met my friend Paul. What I remember well is him introducing me to the music of a Christian band from Los Angeles called Daniel Amos. I also saw the band play live at a church in Edmonton, Alberta. To my delight, they were a real rock band whose aim was to glorify the Lord.

One of their fine songs is "Cloak and Dagger." Listen to it here.

During 1984, I was also introduced by a shortwave listener's club to the shadowy world of spy number radio stations. On certain frequencies,  spy agencies would broadcast groups of numbers which were red off by the sampled voice of a woman. Some stations used a male voice but I never heard those.

Spy's in the field would be given a decoder, such as a pad of paper with numbers printed on each page,  to convert the numbers into instructions which they would follow. These codes would only be used once and then discarded so as to protect the message sent out.

I wrote all this to explain that we also are in a covert war, not with a military force but a spiritual one. We have our instructions in Scripture. And though the world can read them, the messages are obscure due to sinners' lack of the Holy Spirit teaching them.

Even so, we have double agents posing as believers. Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) that, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

We're also warned in 2 Peter 2:1 (KJV), "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

And I know some women won't like this verse but Paul does have a point. In 2 Timothy 3:6 (KJV), he wrote about these traitors and double dealers, "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,"

I hope you liked what I wrote and this song. Please comment if you feel led to do so.

By the way, I'll be posting on Monday about what the Quran and the Bible say about our duty to governments. And if you're not careful, you might even learn something. :-)

The Majesty of the Book?

I've heard that Muslims admire the Quran for its majesty. They say it's the most perfect and beautiful of all the world's books. As proof, they quote sura 2:23 (THE HEIFER)  which reads, "And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like these, and call your witnesses "

First, is that any way to assess a book? Many classic tomes have been written over the centuries. Some of those are fiction while others are factual. Does it make sense to claim that the Quran is beautiful because people say it is? Reasonable people understand that lofty language doesn't prove a book to be true.

And shouldn't all verses be definitive if a book is to be believed as being divine? Look at  what sura 3:7 (FAMILY OF IMRAN) says. "It is He who revealed to you the Book. Some of its verses are definitive; they are the foundation of the Book, and others are unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow the unspecific part, seeking descent, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none knows its interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge say, '“We believe in it; all is from our Lord.' But none recollects except those with understanding."

Furthermore, I've pointed out in past posts that Muslims believe in the principle of abrogation, that later revelations replace earlier ones. They get this idea from sura 2:106 (THE HEIFER) which reads, "We never nullify a verse, nor cause it to be forgotten, unless We bring one better than it, or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is capable of all things?"

But does abrogation apply to the Bible? Jesus instigated the new covenant but it never replaced the old one. Instead, our Lord fulfilled it. Matthew 5:17 (KJV) is one verse which explains how. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

As I've written before, Jesus himself explained that the prophets foretold his coming. Luke 24:25 (KJV) says, "Then he said unto them, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:"

And if one wants to read majestic words, none could be moreso than what people call The Sermon on the Mount. Look at how our Lord began his sermon to those following him. Matthew 5:3-10 (BBE) reads, "Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted. Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be their heritage. Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire. Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy. Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God. Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God. Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs."

And though we have such lofty quotes, the one who made them is far more honoured. Look at what 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) says. "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Our Lord is truly awesome and far more glorious than what Muslims are taught to believe about him. That's partly why I'm writing my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Our opinions of Christ won't get us into heaven. Only by surrendering our lives to him will open those glorious gates.




On Saturday, I'll be posting about the shadowy world of spy number radio stations and the covert war we believers are fighting. Stay tuned.