Have you ever given much thought to why a conflict apparently exists between the three largest religious cultures on earth? Most people having only a superficial knowledge of the three major religious cultures cannot see there being much difference between these religions. But my studies have shown dramatic parallels and paradoxes that do exist and answer why there is still to this day, much blood being shed in the name of man's religion. Please keep in mind that I have gone on record as stating that man's divisive religious virtue is the root cause of all such unresolved conflict and that it has always been Satan (Lucifer) who has been behind the relentless suffering of zealous factions. This in part is due to the absolute nature of fundamentalism in man's religion and it became the direct result of Lucifer declaring god-hood while seating himself upon the thrones of mankind's institution of religion. In this context, the Roman Catholic Church from the early years of budding Christianity are no more justified in their misarranged faith than the Muslims who battled for the Holy Land and Jerusalem a thousand years ago outside the context of Christ being made heir to God's Kingdom. Although, one could easily argue that the Jews who suffered the greatest losses over time have a valid argument to fight against anyone who robs them of their God given inheritance, this in no way gave license to the Catholic Church abuses waged against both religious cultures. God, our Father demands that vengeance was His and since the time of Christ's perfect sacrifice, we were to turn over to Him all matters of religious persecution and oppression. Jesus established for all of mankind that we were to suffer with Him and bear our enemies reproach thereby validating the awesome price He paid for our eternal salvation and true redemption.

The authentic gospels are of selfless virtue and do not indicate selfish preservation or temporal gain or religious intolerance. The real defining essence of the gospels is understood in the acceptance of suffering brought on by others (long suffering) and the willingness to sacrifice self for the greater good and causes of mercy and forgiveness towards those who hate you without cause. And this we should accomplish with great boldness and unwavering commitment. Jesus commanded and promised all those who truly followed Him that this would be so. Hebrews 10:30-39 "For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of you possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul."

Today, we have an increase of tensions between the three warring religions with Christians and Jews now having become allies against Muslims who are forcing their way into the Kingdom of GOD. In the current paradigm that exists, there must of natural course be the final fulfillment of what the Word of God long ago established. We are truly on the verge of seeing the final fulfillment of ancient prophecy come to pass. Not excluded from this picture is the role that the Jewish Nation, Israel, plays and will ultimately see itself surrounded by her perceived enemies. Scripture says that Jerusalem will be a "cup of trembling" to the Nations that surround it. Zechariah 12:2 "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem."

The current players in this drama are the United States being still, the most powerful Nation on earth militarily and politically speaking whom on the surface at least, is acting as protectorate of Israel with the support of her allies. Then there are the Islamic based countries of the Middle East who have historically proven to be worthy opponents at war and will stop at nothing to force their religious dictate upon all who oppose their religious State. We've all heard of the President's "Road Map to Peace" being a way to save peace between the Palestinians and the Jews. But are you aware that this "Road Map to Peace" is full of compromises and actually forces Israel to make many concessions in forcing her to divide up her lands, which are historically and biblically their rightful inheritance? Jesus offered remedy and made a promise to all who would sacrifice their homes and land and follow Him. Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." In other words, if the Jews and the Christian Gentiles would just let it all go and give it up, they shall not only receive it back but also receive back so much more! Ever since man has been forcibly attempting to keep what others want to take away, it has always led to much bloodshed. It is in our nature to do this and we even see it in young siblings who fight over a prized toy. The paradox here is that while Jesus calls us to a Spiritual Kingdom and relationship, men are fighting over the temporal kingdom on earth causing great but unjustified suffering.

Of course, the vehicle with which America hopes to succeed is the deployment of democracy in the Middle East. One by one, America is hell bent on converting these ancient religious countries over to a divisive form of politics and government. One that is ultimately, "mob-ruled" I say "mob-ruled" because when you put the power into voters' hands, you end up with never ending division and disagreement. I have in many exhortations clearly established that America is in no shape to be promoting democracy abroad when she can't even handle her own domestic problems at home. What good is a teacher if the teacher cannot effectively demonstrate and prove beyond reasonable doubt that his teaching is effective and sure footed?

This begs the question, is the United States truly a friend and trustworthy ally to Israel? This is a question you all must ask yourself and in your asking, I strongly recommend that you search out what the heart, will and mind of God the Father is on this very subject. Search out the scriptures and ask yourself, what happens to a people who forsake their rightful inheritance for a bowl of porridge or for the sake of peace? Romans 9:13 "Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Remember that God hated Esau because he sold his rightful inheritance for a mess of meat. Who among the Jews today are relying solely upon God and His Son, Christ Jesus, to trust the peace that was made possible by Christ's selfless sacrifice? Who among the supposed Christians in America recognize that this battle which is being fought with devastating weapons of warfare is the wrong method and application of their "brand of Christian faith?"

In this context, what makes the broad base of America's Christianity any different than the warlike Muslims who are forever seeking jihad as long as there are unbelievers to their cause? Why are not more people in America taking a stand against this perversion of supposed peace and justice? Why are we humans so quickly inclined to pick up our weapons in hand and fight to the death for the vain causes of bureaucrats and corporations, for oil rich lands and hidden treasures? Who are we to force others into our way of thinking? And why do we so often do these things under the guise of religion purportedly in the name of God? Could the answer be so simple as for the selfish pursuit of glory in the same pattern as what sin Lucifer committed against God? I think it so and the proof is in scripture! Again, I refer back to my published book, Apostasy Revealed; wherein this is the underlying source and cause of apostasy in all religion. It is Satan that causes division and it is Satan that orders war for the pursuit of wealth, power and ultimate dominion in the name of peace. Apostasy literally means never having attained or accepted. It does not mean "falling away" as many still believe.

#646 Apostasia; from aphistemi (868), which is from apo (575), from, and histemi (2476), to place, stand. Occurs in Acts 21:21 translated forsake and in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 falling away. In the majority of occasions the verb is intran. Meaning that a person does not depart from where he is to go somewhere else, but stays away having chosen from the beginning to stay away, not to believe instead of believing, in which case the verb, histemi (2476) is to be interpreted not as departing but as standing away, placing oneself away; with the prep. Apo (575), to stay away from. In Acts 21:21, the new Christian believers among the Jews decided to stand apart from the Jewish practices of Moses for they were in a new dispensation. They were not Judaizing Christians but Christians standing apart from Moses. Having departed from Moses and coming to Jesus Christ, they decided that they should stay apart from Moses, that is, his Judaistic practices. Therefore, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 the word apostasia does not refer to the Christians who would depart from the faith, but those who would reject Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-23 "But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesying; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Hearken your ears unto me oh Lord of hosts. Hear my prayers and cries from the wilderness of America that she is oppressing us from the liberties, which You granted us through Your Son's selfless sacrifice. How much longer must we endure the pain and the bloodshed, oh Lord? How must we accomplish the same selfless service to Your Kingdom without falling into the divisive and vain traps of our oppressor? When will men see and understand that the walls of your ancient city must fall in order for the New Jerusalem to take its rightful place? When will men give up the vain battle for power and riches and let us worship You in Spirit and truth, in dignity and peace? How long must we endure, oh Lord? My brother's house is divided and his lands are separated. Foreigners occupy the very place that you gave as an inheritance to the faithful and the shed blood runs deep already polluting the very lands we were to occupy. When will we see again the peace that was afforded both Jew and Gentile in the first council at Jerusalem?  When will the aggressors of Islam be silenced and made to understand that Your Son's sacrifice was sufficient for all humanity to inherit eternal salvation? Why must men strive for the temporal when they should be seeking the eternal? Why is the value of oil and gold more than human life by contemporary standards? Who has listened to Thee oh Lord, who has understood the great price already paid for the redemption of our souls? Who will stand forth with me, oh Lord and honor the saving grace, which You afforded us on the cross? I beseech Thee, oh Lord in the name of Christ Jesus, come Lord Jesus come and save us from our enemy and oppressor. Extinguish the flames of his fiery missiles and put asunder all his vain precepts and corrupted dogma. Deliver us, oh Lord, who worship You in Spirit and truth and let not thine enemy strike us down but let us be the right and just example of truth and justice, of faith and hope, of love and endurance in the long suffering which we must undergo. Help us to stem the tide of increasing darkness, oh Lord, and let us be a witness and example to all the Nations of earth. Let all the Nations see we worship You through the one and only true Son who bore our sins upon the cross redeeming us and purchasing us from the wicked world in which we live. Help us Lord to be Your faithful servants of justice, righteousness, purveyors of peace, hope and love. And if we must die the first death which is appointed to all men then let not our death be a vain glory but one of honor and ever lasting testimony to our love and faith that we hold in You. Grant as I pray, oh Lord, for the people and for my children too. Hear our prayer oh Lord in the name of Christ Jesus. Come Lord Jesus come! AMEN

Jews, Christians and Muslims have long considered Jerusalem the holiest city on earth. In its chaotic history, there were times that all three faiths were permitted to co-exist and allow pilgrims who were searching for salvation to enter its walls and worship there. History records a number of offenses by all three major religious sectors and this exhortation will uncover some of them. Since the time of Christ, the Holy City has been sacked, even leveled first by the invading Romans under Titus' command in 70 AD where it is reported that more than 1,000,000 Jews were exterminated. The Holy City was again taken by the Saracens (Muslims) in 637 AD and initially ruled by them for about 400 years. During that time, to honor Mohammad's legacy, a Mosque was built over a rock that Mohammad was said from where he begun his celestial journey into heaven. This was one of the greatest offenses to early Christians and remains so today because it is largely believed that the Mosque (Dome of the Rock) was built over the ruins of Solomon's original Temple. The first crusaders retook the Holy City in 1099 AD where it is believed that 70,000 infidels of both Jewish and Islamic faith were killed mercilessly. This article will focus on the revenge that Saladin of Egypt took against the Christian crusaders when he launched an all out assault on every city in the Holy Land finally recapturing Jerusalem in 1187 AD.

Can it not be said today, "that these are extremely violent times we live in?" This was most certainly the case 1000 years ago when the Christian crusaders fought to reclaim the cross of Christ and the re-take the city of Jerusalem from the Muslims who had ruled the Holy City for 400 years. Just who did Mohammad think he was in inspiring Arab peoples to claim themselves heirs to the ancient Jewish City? Where was Mohammad when Jesus was crucified on the cross? Were there any practicing Muslims at the time of Christ? Of course not but some six centuries after the crucifixion of Christ came a people whose religion developed out of the rampant polytheism that was common place throughout Mecca. Jesus, the Christ of GOD must not have been understood as a sufficient sacrifice for all to submit and surrender to. Understanding and remembering the account when Jesus resisted the devil causing him to flee from Himself in the dessert,  helps to shed light on the temptation that has persisted in men of faith for centuries since that time. One only needs to see the fruit born of the dogma that precipitated after men encountered certain spiritual experiences in the dessert. If Jesus was the perfect example of obedience to God the Father then the fruit born of Muslim faith makes Mohammad the perfect example of obedience to the father of lies and rebellion.

But to understand why I make such a claim, you must also accept that the early Roman Catholic Church was no example to selfless sacrifice in Christ-likeness because both sides, the Muslims and the Crusaders, were disobedient to the redeeming quality of our Lord's sacrifice. Remember that the first Christian Emperor of Rome, Constantine I, saw a vision of a cross in the sky which later became the very standard used by Roman and European soldiers throughout the crusades which lasted nearly 200 years. Each Christian soldier's uniform was adorned with a red cross on the right shoulder. There were eight crusades in all,  beginning with the first crusade being preached by Peter the Hermit in 1094 AD. Pope Urban II blessed approximately 300,000 men in 1096 AD and Godfrey was granted charge of the first crusade successfully retaking Jerusalem in 1099 AD. The initial retaking of Jerusalem was such an abominable act of violence by Christians against Muslims that it sparked an eternal fire in the bellies of every Muslim to seek out jihad and to this day is still an unquenchable fire. There were to be a total of eight crusades for the Holy Land occurring in 1099, 1147, 1189, 1195, 1203, 1223, 1248, and 1270 AD led by the Knights Templar of the Roman Catholic Church. These battles were fruitless and the Christian soldiers were ultimately defeated and sent out of Syria in 1291 AD. I pray that your understanding the bloody history of our past may help most of you avoid sending your sons and daughters to fight for vain causes in the current Middle East conflict. It is for this reason that I write this exhortation. Please, hear me out and consider carefully what mistakes are about to be repeated.

For Christians and Jews, the Old Testament Scriptures are filled with blood shed, sheer violence and severe recompense. But for those of us, who submit to the New Covenant between God and man, Christ Jesus authored a new and better way to redemption and salvation. By what history records, it becomes clear that the "so-called" early Christians in Rome, who developed the State religion of Catholicism, did not understand or accept Christ's new and better way. Dead men tell no lies. During the early formation of the papacy, authority and control of an elite fighting force was given to the Pope alone. This elite fighting force was known as the Knights Templar and it was their cause and conviction to protect the Christian faith, its strongholds of faith and also the poor and helpless, that is, as long as you were Christian and not considered an infidel. In the early days of the Catholic Church there was little distinction made between the infidels of Islam and Jewry. All were considered an affront to the cross of Christ and millions died at the hands of the Roman Catholic insurgency.

The proof of the early Roman Catholic Church's position on Islam and Judaism is found in the statements made by two early Popes. Pope Leo IV from the Grecco-Roman Empire ruling the east for five years between 775 and 780 AD called for the recapture of Jerusalem at whatever cost. He is quoted as declaring, "Now we hope that none of you will be slain, but we wish you to know that the Kingdom of Heaven will be given as a reward to those who shall be killed in this war."

One hundred years later from the Papal Roman Empire, Pope John VIII who ruled for ten years between 872 and 882 AD said, "We confidently reply that those who shall die in battle fighting bravely against pagans or unbelievers shall receive eternal life. For the Lord has said through His prophets whatever hour a sinner shall be converted, I will remember his sins no longer."

The Crusaders who were led by the Knights Templar believed that God's Kingdom was worth fighting for  at any cost. This is the picture of early Christianity as defined by Rome and recorded in history but it is not what we see outlined in our New Testament by Christ and His disciples. Though early Rome's application of the Christian faith is not very scriptural, Scripture itself clearly indicates that such a struggle would persist for at least 2000 years past the crucifixion of Christ. Perhaps we owe some of our ability to understand better to the advent of education but I like to think that we are in that time which God promised He would pour forth His Spirit in abundance and it is to God I give my thanksgiving for all wisdom and discernment made available to me.

It would seem that the sins of our forefathers are revisiting the sons in our current time. Most believe that humanity in general is considered to be more civilized by today's standards making the religious zeal of yesterday seem so much more brutal. A thousand years ago, we perceive a bloodthirsty history with little or no tolerance between men of differing faiths. The early Roman Catholics, often referred to by historians as "Christians," believed erroneously that by waging war with the sword, they could receive remission of their sins. Murder, mayhem and chaos ruled the lands of the Middle East then as it does today. The early Christians of Rome were highly offended by the Muslims who had overtaken Jerusalem building a Mosque over the historic site of Solomon's Temple. Rome did not acknowledge that Islam had a rightful place to the Holy City no more than Jews did in their assessment. The Roman Catholics truly believed they had God on their side. The Muslims controlled Jerusalem for about 400 years before the first crusaders took it back and it is noteworthy here to mention that all three faiths were allowed to be practiced within the walls of Jerusalem during this initial occupation by Islam. Men of differing faith had to learn how to get along with one another and they practiced various forms of commerce between each other. This gesture however was not enough to convince Rome that Muslims had a rightful place in the Holy City.

In both Muslim and Roman Catholic camps, there was no middle ground in matters of Holy war (jihad). Both sides believed that the killing of infidels was not murder but the path to heaven. For nearly two centuries, the Catholic Church dispatched crusaders to the Holy Land to reclaim what Muslims had wrongfully taken. In their day, the crusaders were regarded by many to be heroes and soldiers of righteousness rather than symbols of intolerance. Knights and Knighthood flourished from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. Knights were typically sworn to be true to their trusts in God and the ladies and this became known as chivalry. Remember, the main offense to early Christians and Jews, was that while Jerusalem was under Islamic control during the initial 400 years after Mohammad's reported ascent into heaven from the rock, the Muslims built their version of a holy shrine over what was considered to be Solomon's Temple ruins. This is now called, the "Dome of the Rock." The Muslims overtook the Holy City. Their conquering army wiped out both, Christians and Jews. Eviscerating men raped women and killed them upon Temple Altars as blood sacrifices and enflamed both. The early Christians were the spark that began a war of the Crusades lasting two hundred years. Raiding, sacking and pillaging and all such violence became common place during these days of chivalry.

 Peter the Hermit is first credited for preaching the crusades in 1094 AD. The official position by scholars is that in 1095 AD at the council of Claremont, Pope Urban II preached the first crusade. It then became the position of the early Catholic Church at Rome to take back what they believed was rightfully theirs. In the Pope's way of thinking, this was the only right choice to take on behalf of Christ and a burden that every "true believer's must bear. They truly believed it was their God-given destiny. The Knights Templar were actually a small part of the total number of crusaders. There were only about 700 Knights and thousands of common folk (peasants) like you and I that comprised the legions of crusaders. Among them were able-bodied men and boys old enough to bear arms and wear the heavy armament weighing as much as 80 lbs. There were also a few strong women among them that were said to fight like men. Basically every able bodied person throughout the formerly Roman occupied Europe would participate in these crusades under the command of both Kings and Popes. Priests and women with children and under age children were not required to participate in the crusades. Nearly whole villages throughout Europe and tens of thousands joined for holy war during the multiple crusades.

In 1099 AD the first crusaders made it to Jerusalem's walls after a long and arduous journey through baking dessert heat and sand storms. Water for the troops was a more precious commodity than food supplies. Starvation was a factor and many were lost on the long journey to Jerusalem through various diseases and such. Food was so scarce at times that the soldiers had to suffice with eating thistles, dogs and sun-baked leather from their tents to survive. The heavy steel armament became like a hot roasting oven baking the very flesh it covered. But they made it nevertheless. The Papal Legit who was killed earlier was said to have appeared before the Christian armies declaring if they gave penance, the city of Jerusalem would be theirs. A fast was immediately proclaimed and on July 8, 1099 AD  The Christian army, barefoot and unarmed, paraded outside the walls of Jerusalem. Then afterwards, they attacked and seven days later, Muslim occupied Jerusalem fell but this was only a short-lived victory for Christians because they would have control of the Holy City for only 88 years. This became one of the bloodiest battles that history has ever remembered. The Christian soldiers gave no mercy. Under the leadership of the Knights Templar, they murdered men, women, and children of both Jew and Muslim persuasion. They killed all believing that the Holy City needed to be cleansed of all the filth that Jew and Muslim brought to it. It was said that the shed blood was so deep, soldiers were wading into it up to their knees. At least 10,000 Muslims alone were killed on the Temple Mount and for six months, the Great City reeked of the stench of death. Absent of conscience and deplete of conviction, these soldiers were as barbaric as men could be.

On Christmas Day in the year 1100 AD, Baldwin I, Jerusalem's first King was crowned and all the Muslim holy places were converted over to Christian Churches. As is usually the case with various Christian factions, bitter divisions began to develop after a few decades of Latin rule in Jerusalem. These divisions weakened the unity that the early Christians conquered with and would later prove fatal to the early Christian causes. Even individuals from within the Pope's illustrious army of Knights Templar was being held accountable for individual crimes and the punishment of death was a persistent remedy for disobedience to the King's rule. Christian Brother began turning against Christian Brother. I view this strife as having been the result of the fundamental differences existing between men of authority who had differing reasons for fighting a Holy war. There were no doubt, those who did it strictly for the belief and faith which early Christians held that no infidel should inherit the Kingdom of God and there were many who fought for not just the price of freedom but also the value of land and the power men lusted after. This begs the question, is this not still true today? Are we not seeing the same reasons surface over possessing and governing the Holy Land today? Today, the ransom is even higher than it once was because of the value of oil rich lands and the power to administer their uses. This equates to a lot of money which equates too much power; a power that corrupts absolutely. As was the case then, so it is today. Do not be deceived!

During this time, a powerful and charismatic leader of Islam, Saladin of Egypt had already taken Palestine and was mounting agreement and amassing troops among Muslims throughout the Middle East to retake the Holy City back from the "pagans" (Christians). Saladin was able to unite Muslims by incorporating the fundamental precepts of Mohammad which are found in the Qur'an. One of these fundamental dictates is that all that are not submitted to Allah are to be considered as infidel and any one person's failure to convert to Islam meant certain death. This spelled doom for the Christian armies as Saladin was able to amass a huge army of zealous soldiers who were also under the belief that martyrdom was the path to eternal salvation. Muslims did not consider death to be loss but great gain! Saladin's motivation was two-fold. First, he sought the revenge that Allah calls for against the Christians who defiled their sacred holy places and killed Muslims without mercy on every account. Even after Saladin agreed to a truce between his kingdom and the Christians, Renault, an out of control Templar Knight, shattered any hopes of peaceful negotiations by an offensive act done under his command. In 1187 AD, Renault broke that truce by attacking a peaceful caravan of Muslims pillaging them for all their valuables killing all the men. Is it no wonder that the error of the Pope's scriptural interpretation and the call to arms in the name of Christ would be a justifiable reason for God to return recompense by delivering the disobedient Christian Knights back into the hands of their enemies? Clearly, there was error on both sides and God has a way to keep Himself distanced from the sinful ways of man by allowing the enemies of both sides to be delivered into each others hands to destroy and devour one another. Though throughout history, man has often been inconsistent in his application and understanding of faithful relationship to God, God has always been consistent and unchanging in all His ways. As His Word prescribes, "He is the same yesterday, today and forever."

The crusaders who now possessed the actual cross bar that Jesus was nailed to believed that this relic would lead them to certain victory against the Muslim infidels. The Templar Knights who had taken vows of poverty and chastity became the forefront on the war against Islam who were considered enemies of GOD. The first battle between Saladin and a small regiment of Knights took place at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. This place is called the Horns of Hateem, which is the site of an extinct volcanic crater. The huge Christian army from Jerusalem had not yet arrived and the smaller army led by a few Templar Knights was horribly defeated by Saladin. All of the Templars were beheaded and many surviving Christians were sold into slavery at Damascus save one man by the name of Balien of Ibelin. He was released by Saladin and allowed to return to Jerusalem under the pretense of gathering his family.

Balien of Ibelin was the son of Godfrey of Ibelin, a respected Knight, who had died just before Baldwin I was crowned King of Jerusalem. Before Godfrey died, he made his son Balien a Duke to take the oath of a Knight. The oath taken was to "fear not the face of your enemy, be brave and upright that God may love thee, speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death, safeguard the helpless and do no wrong." When Balien of Ibelin arrived at Jerusalem, at the behest of a totally defenseless people within the walls, he began preparations to safeguard the peoples within the Holy City. It does not appear that Balien acted out of the same kind of religious zeal that other Knights did seeking to preserve ancient relics of religious significance.  It appears that Balien was more or less interested in saving the defenseless people and serving his duty according to the oath he took before his father's death. Balien was an example of a man whose faith was tempered with tolerance while seeking redemption for his sins.

In the mean time, Saladin had turned his massive army towards Jerusalem defeating the Christian armies under the leadership of King Guy de'Luceon who had replaced Baldwin IV after dying of leprosy. The King's life was spared by Saladin but Renault lost his head to Saladin's sword. Saladin took the Christian strongholds one by one hitting the cities of Acre, Ascalon and Gaza before arriving at the gates of Jerusalem. It was 580 years to the day of Mohammad's alleged ascent into heaven that Saladin arrived at the gates of Jerusalem to besiege it. It took all of five days for Saladin to gather his massive army before he would lay siege on the Holy City. On the sixth day, Saladin began his assault, which lasted two weeks finally breaching the thick stone walls of Jerusalem where the Muslim's entered in resulting again in very much bloodshed. At some point, Balien of Ibelin recognized that a continued persistence to fight and take the city by sword would result in the death of every fighting soldier left in the city. It became necessary to ask for terms of surrender. During a temporary truce, Balien and Saladin negotiated terms of peace. This went on for five days. Balien did not allow Saladin to think he was weakened by his assaults and Balien threatened to destroy every Holy Temple and Altar within Jerusalem's walls including their highly prized Dome of the Rock if Saladin did not let the Christians go to freedom in exchange for the surrender of the Holy City. Saladin and Balien struck an agreement and Saladin ordered a ransom paid for every man, woman and child still left alive. The Muslims would sell every remaining Christian into slavery that a ransom could not pay for. The price for freedom was 10 denars for each man, 5 denars for each woman and one denars for every child. This was a steep price to pay and essentially Balien and the survivors collected every piece of silver and gold artifact from the religious Temples and Altars that could be gathered to pay for the Christians freedom. Unfortunately, history records that the entire ransom could not be paid for everyone and thousands of Christians were later sold into slavery.

History records that King Richard the "Lionheart" led the next crusade to free the Holy City but that too met with a disastrous defeat as did five other crusades and Jerusalem remained under Islamic rule for 700 years thereafter. It would not be until 1917 when the Holy City once again would come under European control when General Allenby of Great Britain marched into Jerusalem in WWI. The history of the crusades are a story of unspeakable violence for the errant pursuit of salvation and here we are 1000 years later still waging war over the Holy Land and seeking control over its vast wealth of resource while trying to protect religious dignity. Understanding the purpose and price paid by Christ's selfless sacrifice makes this all seem so fruitless and vain to me. How much blood must yet be shed? How shall we ever escape this quagmire of rebellion towards God's grace? Have we learned nothing from the bloody history of our religious minded forefathers? Are not their repeated sins revisiting us again? Is it not true that for those who fail to learn from the costly error of our past, they will be destined to repeat that matter again and again? If you are American or an ally of America, can you not see the repeating pattern of oppression and absolutism? If you are Catholic, can you not see the error of your religious dogma and recognize that among men, none are righteous except those who are truly surrendered unto Christ and His example? If you are Islamic, can you not see the necessity for laying down your arms and trading them in for a more peaceful path to salvation? Will the killing ever end? How many more must still die while men play puppets to the puppet-masters of greed and dominion before we recognize that Jesus patterned for us a better way to eternal salvation? Who is willing to lay down their life without taking up arms against their neighbor to demonstrate the purity of love, grace and hope? Must we really kill ourselves? Jesus said, "Love covers a multitude of sins." Is that not simpler than picking up arms against one another?

News Flash (Related to the US sponsored 'Roadmap to Peace')
Arab-Israeli conflict is top priority: Rice
Sun Nov 13, 2005 JEDDAH
(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began a trip to Israel and the West Bank on Sunday, hoping to revive the Arab-Israeli peace process and convince both sides to return to a U.S.-sponsored peace plan. Before leaving Saudi Arabia, Rice, who was set to arrive in Jerusalem later on Sunday said resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a top priority and the U.S.-sponsored road map was a reliable guide to a two-state solution.
She urged both sides to seize momentum built up after the Israeli pullout from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in September, which has been dashed by new violence.
"We impress upon both parties to live up to their obligations (under the road map)," said Rice at a news conference with the Saudi foreign minister.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Rice is expected to ask him to do more to support the Palestinian authority as it prepares for January elections and faces increased security concerns.
In talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Rice plans to urge him to rein in militants blamed for a rash of bombings that have resulted in counter-attacks from Israel.
In addition, she wanted to look at how Palestinian security forces could reliably provide security and tackle militants.
NEW POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Rice's trip to Israel coincides with political change there and one senior State Department official said this could make it harder for the United States to push the peace agenda.
Newly-elected Israeli Labor chief Amir Peretz, a socialist and head of Israel's workers union, beat veteran peacemaker Shimon Peres last Thursday to become leader of the left-wing Labor party, which joined Sharon's coalition earlier this year to push forward his Gaza pullout plan.
"We may be walking into a political bargaining period. We are just not sure what all of this means yet," said a senior U.S. State Department official, who declined to be named.
Peretz has said he would press Sharon next week to call for Israeli parliamentary elections as early as March and the Americans fear this will further dampen peace hopes which have been stalled by violence.
"What we don't want here is to be kept in a holding pattern (because of domestic politics)," added the senior U.S. official.
Rice also wants to resolve access problems into Gaza which the United States says is holding up economic development there since Israel's withdrawal last September.
"There are a few details, a couple of sticking points to be worked out on this access issue, but we have been making progress," said an official traveling with Rice.
But he said Rice would not push for a "quick fix" and Israel's security could not be jeopardized. "It's more important to get this right rather than doing it too quickly," said the official.
CLOSE TO BREAKTHROUGH
Former World Bank president and special Middle East envoy James Wolfensohn is in the region trying to iron out these problems and one U.S. official said he was close to a breakthrough. "But he's not quite there yet."
During her visit to Jerusalem, Rice will address the Saban Forum of the U.S.-based Brookings Institution and is also set to attend a memorial to mark the 10th anniversary of the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
After visiting Israel she will make a stop in Jordan to pay her respects after last week's hotel bombings which killed 57 people.
She then travels to Asia where she will join U.S. President George W. Bush for a meeting of APEC leaders.

The above article is only a news flash that relates to the information we are discussing in this Exhortation. I am not in agreement with the US involvement in these matters but at the same time I know that there is little we can do to avert what is already taking place. Instead, I am exhorting to all God fearing persons, especially those who are of Jewish and Christian background, to take your hands out of these political affairs and refuse to participate in these evil hidden agendas which shall only put blood on your hands by your participation. My message to Muslims is simple; do not hold true God fearing Christians accountable for the deeds done by corrupted men of religion and politics. Furthermore, I advise all that do not follow the example and pattern of Christ alone to repent before it is too late! The hour of dawn approaches.

“Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth”

If you who are reading this exhortation are a sincere and devout God fearing Christian in the true biblical sense, then you must acknowledge that we are called to witness Christ Jesus in our lives with the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." That means that we are not to be "puffed up" with added ingredient as bread becomes puffed up with yeast. We are further exhorted not to witness our faith as with puffed up reasoning and we are further exhorted to avoid the "leaven of the Pharisees." What we see today and historically in all the religious zeal of Christian, Jewish and Islamic faith is puffed up reasoning. That is to say that man has added extra ingredient to his brand of religion and has created hateful generations of zealots. It is my sincerest opinion that all the religious wars that have ever been waged by man in the name of God are such that we have neglected the weightier matters of love and truth. Not all individuals who have participated in such wars are necessarily guilty of surrendering the true virtues of Christ because no doubt, some have exhibited great faith tempered with tolerance. This in no way however diminishes the hatred we are supposed to maintain for the evil that is inherant in mankind’s heart. We are called to love one another and I have exhorted in exhortations past that the love we are called to subscribe to is not complete without also accepting God’s hatreds. The scriptures bear witness of this.

Psalms 97:10 "O ye that love Jehovah hate evil: He preserves the souls of his saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked."

Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate."

Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things which Jehovah hates; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that devises wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness that utters lies, And he that sows discord among brethren."

Men throughout the ages that have precipitated unrighteous hatreds towards their fellow man in the name of God have committed blasphemy. They have blasphemed the good name of our Heavenly Father. They have blasphemed the good name of Christ Jesus, the Son of God and for these blasphemies, Jesus said that men would be forgiven if they repented (turned away) from such. But Jesus also said that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was never to be forgiven. So, I leave you with that to reconcile your faith in God. Let each one determine for himself what constitutes blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and hold to that conviction. In the end, God will determine who was justified by his faith and who was not. Let each man be fully convinced himself and not be found weak or mediocre in the application of his faith! After all, God would choose we be either hot or cold rather than undecided or mediocre in our faith.

True Liberty and the Discipline of Freedom

After King Nebuchadnezzar was restored and all his kingdom was restored unto him following his sincerest repentance, he said as recorded in Daniel 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." The liberty that Christ Jesus has granted us is not so that we may do according to our own will and our own works seeking our own glories. We are to be bold, steadfast and uncompromising in our faith making good use of our liberties without becoming entangled all over again in our sins. The bondage we were set free from is the bondage of self yet by the above historical account, we see that men of religion seek to put you in bondage and hold you to their will robing from you your own liberty. It seems as quickly as we recognize our freedom; we so often get led right back into slavery, the slavery of sin and of self. God says, "Be free my children and hold fast your liberty and let no man put you in subjection again. The bondage to which you submit is not by the vice of other men but by your own choosing. A true liberation is a liberation of your spirit to be free from your own will to do according to My (God's) will avoiding the selfish entanglement and demands of your flesh." Declares the Spirit in me.

What I see being fundamentally important to understand is what I recorded by the Spirit in my Biblically based book, Apostasy Revealed. In exhortation number fifteen, "Love Your Neighbor and Your Brother," I wrote, "People are like mirrors, reflecting images of self and others. Often, what we see is based on a familiarity of self. Because we recognize attributes or deficiencies with the eyes of our flesh, we discern this insight because of our familiarity with self. The Spirit often reveals (if people would only listen) that what you are seeing is actually a reflected image of self..."

"Look at yourself in a mirror. What do you see oh son of man? Do you see just and right thinking? Do you see love or hatred? Do you see indifference or concern? Do you hate what you see in others thereby hating yourself or do you love what you see in others thereby loving that part of self you adore? Do you love your neighbor as yourself or do you condemn him thereby condemning yourself? Therefore, do not condemn your neighbor or your brother lest you might also be condemning yourself," said the Spirit in me.

"Recognize that what you often see must be dealt with and corrected, disciplined or refined in self before you can bear witness of the Father's healing truth to others. Does the Spirit in you accuse or is it crying out for utter reformation of self?"

"Those who respond to the revelation that the Spirit brings, become living witnesses to the empowerment granted (believers) to abide by His right and just laws of love (and liberty). Are you an example of righteousness and love, or are you one who accuses and casts stones while, never showing a better way?"

The point then is simply this, be examples! Therefore I boldly proclaim again that all the wars that have ever been fought since the time of Christ and especially those wars which were fought and are now being fought in the name of God are UNJUSTIFIED WARS in the eyes of GOD! So that you may see agreement and not think me to be a stand alone, I offer the following letter of response sent to James McCutchen by James R. in China who is developing his own relevant web Ministry. The contents of his letter are very thought provoking and intended to give you reason to pause and consider America's place and participation in the current Middle East conflict and the end times now upon us.

Dear Pastor James,
Nicholas of Cephas Ministry forwarded your enlightening article on the identity of the Antichrist to me.
I confess my unfamiliarity with American history and had thought it irrelevant to eschatology -- I stand corrected.
Notwithstanding my ignorance and misconceptions, I bear witness with your conclusions concerning the USA. Here are a few of my own reasons for agreeing with you, and as you will see, some of them inevitably coincide with yours:
1. Historically speaking, the Europeans have never been Pro-Israel, while the US has always been its champion. Consequently, the Europeans, as puzzling and spank-worthy they are for being anti-Israel, can safely be excluded from the list of the Antichrist's probable countries (or continents) of origin, while IRONICALLY, the long time "ally" of Israel will in the end be found to have mothered this man of perdition, its ultimate enemy! How dramatic!
For by adding one to one we arrive at the disturbing conclusion, that the Antichrist who cannot come from Europe, who must be a high-flying Politician with cross-border powers and strong religious tendencies (read Bush), and given to playing the role of the saviour of Israel (brokering peace - read Bush again), should come from where else but the Republican party of the US?! (Democrats of course have politically doomed themselves by their despicable anti-Christian pseudo-intellectual liberal agendas.) Nevertheless, as much as he looks it, I deny that Mr. Bush is finally THAT man for a simple reason: THE time is NOT up yet -- it's still too early for the peace treaty to take place. Moreover, he can hardly be described as a man of appropriate charm and charisma as is expected of the Antichrist, i.e., Bush lacks the slick factor of, say, Clinton? Neither can it be said of Clinton -- unless by the spark of the supernatural dark side he is suddenly transformed into an instant "spiritual" man -- that he is THAT man, for he lacks the signal interest in religious affairs. Therefore the man to win the US Presidency in a decade from now -- about 8 years (possibly up to 7 years earlier) within the range of Pre-Trib Rapture -- can be expected to be a diabolical morph of Bush's strong religious bent and Clinton's smooth talking. Who will it be?
2. NO other nation, besides the USA -- even in its current exceptionally depleted state -- has comparable economic and cultural reach to qualify for the unenviable title of the prophetic modern Babylon. It's thus (prophetically) significant, that the US has tamed Iraq -- the original Babylon -- thereby effectively assimilating the old lion into the current superpower.
No doubt the astounding lone military super-power status of the US, of itself is enough to set it apart as the last days Babylon. Yet, the real might of the US for world dominance emanates, not necessarily from the brute strength of its military prowess, rather from its flair for the subtle, or what the political strategists would call, the "soft powers" of the economic and the cultural sphere. Both of which made possible in no small part, by the (so far) indomitable Hollywood film industry and the TV medium -- 2 extremely powerful American inventions, that effectively posses the hearts and minds of every society -- less the terrorists -- exposed to them (for better or worse).
Moreover, in my eyes, no other nation has the "gift of the gap" (marketing savvy) and the track record for running big business -- 2 giant engines of capitalism for the successful creation of unparalleled massive wealth -- like the Americans. Case in point, the enigmatic (almost hypnotic) persona of the marketing guru Mr. Jobs (Apple Computer) and the mind boggling global hegemony of his arch rival Mr. Bill Gates, with rest of all the American Business Machinery in between. The long and short of this observation being, US is the uncontested Capitalist's HQ of the world. Indeed, the Americans are such consummate capitalists; they have even sold it (capitalism) stock and barrel to the communist China (though the latter won't admit it)!
Thus the combined profile of the USA as a political-economic-cultural entity, and the unique religious leanings of its current and probable future president-elects, fits very well into the imagery of Revelations. Wherein the merchants of the world are prophesied to lament over the destruction of Babylon, when it comes crashing down in one day -- something possible, only if it was the very backbone, or at least the main artery, of the world economy at the time of it's eradication, which precisely is what the US is to the modern world of commerce, in this time and age.
3. For the longest time, many Christian quarters have persistently pointed finger at Rome as the mother of the Antichrist. But such a notion, despite the Roman Catholic Church's (RCC's) historical notoriety for persecuting the faithful and its continuing mammoth following, seem weak in the light of its feeble and, at the best, clandestine international political powers and activities. If the prevailing trend of irrelevancy -- ever since the fall of its "teeth," the Roman Empire -- to those outside of Roman Catholicism is anything to go by, it's quite unlikely, that the Vatican should now suddenly produce a Pope with the required mass appeal and charisma to qualify as THAT dreadful man. Which man, must be known by his vast political powers (both hard and soft) and publicly stated interest in religion, specifically, Christianity.
Interestingly and to my surprise, I came across religious statistics in the US, where up to 79.8% (2001) of its citizens professed Christianity as their religion! That explains why someone like Bush has won the presidency twice in a row, largely by using Christian rhetoric, and promising Christianity-centric societal policies. Additionally, it also shows what kinds of men are likely to succeed him (the same kind of course). Sure, Clinton too -- though not overtly religious -- held the same office for 2 terms, but it is Bush who successfully pushed religion-politics to the forefront of US Presidency Race, and there is no turning back now. Religion-politics is here to stay and the obnoxious alien policies of the Democrats will ensure this is so!
More interesting than the strong Christian demography of the US, is its Christian Denominational breakdown. Out of the 79.8% who confess Christianity as their religion, the RCC comprise the single largest chunk of adherents at 1 in 3 persons (32.5% and holding steady), followed by a distant 1 in 5 ratio by the Baptists (22.3% and falling) who themselves are split into 2 smaller factions! Even the US Supreme Court is 56% RCC (http://www.adherents.com/adh_sc.html)! To think I have always been under the impression, that the US is the stronghold of Protestants! This data lays bare the true power base in the USA. It is not the intellectual liberals with all their weird Godless agendas, it is certainly not the Jews, and definitely not the atheist or the occultists, but quite simply, it is the Christians, and more accurately, the Roman Catholics, who hold the seat of the US President in their hands or votes!
What more, the RCC's impressive figures are not by any means confined to the US demographics, but have corresponding, if not grander representation on the global arena. The RCC with an estimated 1.1 billion followers worldwide is without peer among all other world religions on the global stage, and moreover it boasts a 1 in 2 person ratio in the 2.2 billion strong Christendom, which itself is the largest people group among all religions globally.
The immense demographical power of RCC and (to a lesser extent) Christianity against all heathen factions, both in the US and worldwide, cannot be ignored by any self-respecting politician who wants to rule the world, namely the Antichrist. Naturally, therefore, the man seeking to be crowned in the Oval office (like Bush) at the appointed end time, can be expected to go out of his way to appease the multitudes of professing Christians, and more importantly, be very careful to forge strong ties with the RCC! And what better way to do that, then to make friendly with the Pope in Rome? When that starts happening, both openly and comprehensively, what the Pope lacks in geopolitical-economic powers in the global arena, the US president will posses in HIS stead across the world economies and nations. The Pope ultimately wins in the triumph of the RCC-friendly US president, and his flock -- all 1.1 billion of them clueless followers -- will throw their vote for the friend of their beloved and shamelessly worshipped Pope! We have already seen a glimpse of this power "sharing" taking place when Bush Junior and Senior paid homage in person to the Pope John Paul II at his state funeral.
In other words, the RCC will rule the world through the US Presidency by playing the part of the kingmaker! He will be their proxy king, and be the face of their powers in numbers, and they will be the pillars of his coming kingdom. And it might as well be, for such is the perfect coming together of casts for the drama of the last days, where the US President will emerge as the Antichrist and the Pope his false prophet.
Here are some statistics for your reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States
http://members.aol.com/Wisdomway/graph4.htm
http://members.aol.com/ecsl/
I sincerely apologize for rehearsing before you the many things already said in your article.
Peace Of Christ,
James R
http://www.libertyofchrist.com/
Established in 2005
SINGAPORE
Tel: 65 67591147

On Making Choices

Let us without reservation hold fast to the genuine article of our faith which is in the pattern of Christ Jesus and let no one mislead you or deceive you in any way that human wars between Nations are justified. They are not on any level though there are some who without reservation will make the best of what they were led into and perform according to their own faith. If by ignorance of the truth, they were led into divisive and unrighteous battles over the causes of material wealth and resource but under the pretense of duty and conviction to God, then I pray that such men would be forgiven because they knew not what they did. I also pray that men whose faith has been tempered with tolerance be found upright and blameless in the sight of God though they too may have transgressed the very covenant that Jesus established. Forgive us Lord, for our ignorance and transgressions against you. May you take what we have muddled and make right our wrongs thereby glorifying yourself in the end. We are weak and deficient apart from You, oh Lord and we need You now more than ever before in history. Strengthen us Lord in our hour of weakness and make us strong to rise above the unrighteous hatreds and become examples of your true virtue and unwavering love. Help us to become partakers of the victory that is only found in Christ Jesus and let your Spirit lead us towards selfless causes for the sake of your Kingdom and righteousness. Grant as I pray oh Lord in the mighty name of Christ Jesus  AMEN

Brethren, if it were up to me by the conviction upon my heart I would exhort you to say NO to tyranny. Say NO to oppression. Say NO to divisive politics. Say NO to compromise with regards to your faith. Say NO to weapons of warfare. Say NO to man-made religious authority. Say NO to relinquishing your God given liberty. Say NO to abortion. Say NO to legalization of sodomy. Say NO to partiality. Say NO to the left. Say NO to the right. Say NO to anything that supports or furthers the purposes of a New World Order. Say NO to the legalization and justification of sins. Say NO to the Mark of man and beast! Just say NO!

But I know that the choices are ultimately yours to make and you alone will be held accountable for those choices made. Don't point your fingers and cast blame but look in the mirror and see who is responsible for you. God whispers in my ear, "Choose oh son of man, choose your path."

Say YES to Christ Jesus and His remission of our sins. Let no man keep defrauding us of our rightful inheritance which is in Christ and let no man make you think that your salvation is based on patriotic duty to country, fighting unrighteous war or lining the pockets of clergy who think more highly of themselves than they ought. Let your NO truly mean NO and your YES truly mean YES. Except for the unwavering nature of faith and obedience to Christ, as much as it is made possible, do not offend one another. Let your faith be tempered with some degree of tolerance but do not compromise your calling to be holy. For He who calls us is holy and we are called unto Him to be holy in all our thought, attitude and behavior. For anyone that chooses not to be holy is free to choose as he or she wishes to live because our will is truly the only thing we own. Let choice be to each his own and God will work out the rest.

Matthew 5:48 "Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
 
By the authority of God's Spirit and conviction of my heart with all God fearing sincerity, and love for the truth and our scattered brethren abroad,
 
Nicholas A. Stivers a humbled God fearing man, scribe and messenger.
Author; Apostasy Revealed published 2003 by Mountainview Publishing ISBN: 1-928602-92-4
http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com
http://abide-in-truth-events.cephasministry.com/
http://cephasministry.com