In Brief... Pope Holds Peace Ceremony
"Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life," said Pope John Paul II.
On Jan. 24, in the Italian city of Assisi, the pope met with over 200 leaders of the world's religions to pray for peace. The pope said he wanted "to help overcome contrasts and promote authentic peace." He also said, "Humanity needs to see gestures of peace and listen to words of hope." Vincenzo Fortunato, a spokesman for the Franciscan order in Assisi said, "For us, this shows once more the spiritual genius of the pope who is again trying to influence the world with the power of prayer." This peace initiative appears to be an attempt to bring about unity between Christians, Muslims and the other religions of the world. But, no matter how ambitious the efforts, neither the pope, nor any of the other religious leaders will be able to bring about a lasting peace.
Notice Jeremiah 6:13-19: "'Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, "Peace, peace!" when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,' says the LORD... 'Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people, the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words, nor My law, but rejected it.'"
Since humanity has rejected God and His ways, true peace will not come through human activities or human intervention. It will only come when Jesus Christ returns to this earth and establishes the Kingdom of God for all peoples.
Source: Reuters.
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: February 2002
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Jim Tuck
Jim has been in the ministry over 40 years serving fifteen congregations. He and his wife, Joan, started their service to God's church in Pennsylvania in 1974. Both are graduates of Ambassador University. Over the years they served other churches in Alabama, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, California, and currently serve the Phoenix congregations in Arizona, as well as the Hawaii Islands. He has had the opportunity to speak in a number of congregations in international areas of the world. They have traveled to Zambia and Malawi to conduct leadership seminars In addition, they enjoy working with the youth of the church and have served in youth camps for many years.
John Foster
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