Interfaith Dialogue: the Key to Peace
Whenever we turn on the news or read the papers, we are bombarded with headlines and images of global wars and conflicts raging on. On 15th March 2019, a gunman murdered fifty men, women and children and wounded dozens more in attacks on two separate mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. More recently, more than 250 people were killed and 500 injured in attacks across churches and hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Is there a solution to curbing or eliminating religiously-motivated conflict? The reality is that the majority of conflict is rooted by religious discord or hatred, often inspired by an extreme interpretations of scripture. Religions, therefore, must unite through open interfaith dialogue.
Of all the world's scriptures, the Bible is the only one that can prove that God is alive and working. This is because it has prophecy and fulfilment; whatever God promises, He fulfils. What God promised Abraham He fulfilled through Moses and what God promised through the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) He fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The prophecy (promise) in Ezekiel 3 was fulfilled by Jesus as he took the open scroll from God and came as the fulfilment of its contents 2000 years ago. This scroll was the Old Testament which contained prophecies (promises) that had to be fulfilled. As Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament promises (Jn 19:30), he was, therefore, able to explain the true meaning of all the Old Testament promises and their fulfilment. Jesus also proclaimed peace (Lk 19:42). But how many people listened and accepted his words? Only 12 disciples. The corrupt religious authorities at that time persecuted Jesus, prevented their followers from going to him because of their pride, labelled him a ‘sect’ and eventually crucified him. Jesus then ascended into heaven to be with God.
However, Jesus promised about future events that would take place when he returns (2nd coming). This promise is recorded in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 5, Jesus ('Lamb') takes the sealed scroll from God’s right hand and begins to open it. This opened scroll is then given to ‘John' (Rv 10) who, as Jesus did in Ezekiel 3, fulfils its contents. This scroll is Revelation, which contains the promises of the New Testament. This person is Jesus' promised messenger who has seen and heard all the events in Revelation (Rv 22:8, 16). He also does the work of peace on a global level.
If religious leaders gather their hearts and objectively assess the most trustworthy scripture, I believe that religions will be united under one true God. As a result, followers of each religion will be led on to the right path of peace and harmony and religiously-motivated wars and conflicts will come to an end. Isn't this the duty of every religious leader?
To the Believers in Korea
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amazing
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