Jesus recognized cities invading cities. Blood from dead human and animal corpses filled lifeless landscapes, all in name of God! War existed, but when fought in name of God, motives were too tainted. Righteous indignation filled Jesus! As he scanned from countryside to continents he recognized deception within numerous leaders. From dishonesty and lies came bloodshed of innocent people. The molestation, rape and murder of children enraged Jesus to such a degree that he wanted to wipe out every evil person. The heat of this anger became so powerful that it forced Jesus to gaze upon God. Did God not destroy all inhabitants except those on Noah’s Ark? Retribution was not for Jesus to ordain. Within this humble consolation — like a child to his father, Jesus was lifted to bosom of God.

Inside Jesus glowed. As Jesus reflected upon burning radiance within, he rested securely with his Father. Gazing through eye of God, he witnessed a tear. Becoming so close, Jesus and God were as one. Here, Jesus felt compelled to look and connect with all of love God gave to everyone who had lived on earth. Jesus felt like he could touch each person ever born or those who would be born. More than recognizing people going about daily chores, dimensions of earth unfolded before him. Within these realms existed aspects of afterlife. In one fiery pit people experienced pure torture. Much of this suffering stemmed from pain caused to others that came back to haunt. These self-inflicted realities were too destructive to watch.

What attracted Jesus’ attention were manifold dimensions encompassing generations after generations that were already dead. Jesus could almost perceive prior prophets inside minds of so many people. Chosen prophets would be empowered at uncertain times and lead masses of people to God. It was here that choice truths were developed to connect and strengthen individuals within family bonds. The more people could feel God’s love shared amongst each other, more God’s glory imbued each of them. With this Jesus sensed Moses and Elijah within his direct presence. The glory of these prophets stemmed directly from God. The glory of known prophets was within Jesus as he merged with power of God.

When Jesus reached towards unknown lands throughout earth, his heart blossomed. He felt a oneness with unrecognized prophets. Within them God’s love grew within realms that Jesus could not describe. The expansion of love and compassion extended from unique individuals. It was as if they came from unknown cultures throughout earth. Jesus considered all of different families radiating from Adam and Eve. At once a profound sweetness filled every sense, only to be suddenly overtaken by an almost unbearable bitterness.

In a moment’s notice Jesus opened his eyes. Instead of feeling hunger and thirst, an emptiness filled his belly. The first thought was how someone like Adam’s son Cain could be so deceived to think he’d profit by murdering his own brother Abel. Immediately millions of thoughts filled his mind. A predominant voice was heard, trying to coax Jesus into feeling better after such an intense experience. Like unwanted noise, voice pried between thoughts. A prideful tone told Jesus that he had seen and experienced it all. Jesus was God! Immediately, Jesus saw and felt millions of people worshipping him. They each praised him as God. Like thorns in skull turning into thrones, voice continued to coax, reminding Jesus that he had done it.

Jesus had all suffering he needed. Now was time to celebrate! Because of this experience, every day for rest of his life should be a feast of pleasure. This was his time to enjoy, everything. He had power. With this power he could heal anyone. He could amaze and dazzle everyone.

How Jesus wanted to believe that God was speaking to him, yet somehow this voice wasn’t right. The voice was telling him that everything would be easy from now on out. And, how Jesus had already done all that was needed in this life. Beautiful women from his vision drifted into his mind, along with riches and luxury to satisfy any craving. Jesus experienced an uneasy feeling when realizing that each seductive image corresponded to voice he was hearing. With this, a recognizable burst of laughter shot up through his spine, then quickly faded.

The Devil had no power over Jesus. All thoughts were immediately turned towards God. Constant praise filled Jesus’ thoughts for spiritual experience God provided. When truly in God's presence, Jesus felt his worthlessness. He was like dust, yet God gave him breath of life. This assurance from God overwhelmed Jesus with happiness and joy. God had given him so much. Right then and there -- as if done long ago -- Jesus promised God that he would do anything to serve. As God had given him life, he would gladly give his life for God. Complete comfort and security burned within. Jesus knew that his life was in God’s hands.

Feeling strong again and a little hungry, Jesus stood up. It was time to get back to his friends and share what happened. As he thoughtfully took step by step, he considered devil’s temptation. He also realized God’s presence, as if God watched everything, waiting for Jesus’ reactions. Here, in subtleties between thoughts and feelings, clarity of truth was revealed. When back to himself, having awareness of his body and surroundings, he recognized a completely different realm. The prince of darkness, even Satan, filled air with greed and lust. For a prolonged flash Satan seemed to take control, or at least tried to.

Satan was aware of anyone who left mundane dimensions and connected to purity of truth. The surface of earth became Satan’s realm where he tried to bend God’s will and inflict his own rules. Satan waited to corrupt and thereby trap power from every authentic spiritual experience. He was there every time to trick, deceive, and turn truth on its edge. This way, captured light could be smothered, buried deep within his dungeons. From every individual's communion or attempted communion with God, Satan arrived to try and wrench away spiritual power.

Jesus peeled through each ploy of Satan. People required undisturbed, untainted clarity. He would apply simple truths, containing eternal wisdom. As long as Jesus always put God first, God would guide every action. Now all that he had to do was to teach proper principles. The power of God would fill law until it appeared new, as if etched in heart. Love God and if true to self and God, God’s love would connect all neighbors.

"They are certainly unbelievers who say, 'God is Messiah, son of Mary.' For Messiah had only said, 'O Children of Israel, serve God, who is my Lord and your Lord.' Whosoever associates others with God will have Paradise denied by God and shall be cast into hell. None shall help evil-doers. They are certainly unbelievers who say, 'God is one person of three.' There is but one God. If they do not desist from saying what they say, those of them that disbelieve shall suffer stern punishment." (Koran 5:72-73) [5]

The Koran mentions Jesus in numerous scriptures. Muslims place Jesus with other Jewish prophets. Jews reject Jesus as Messiah! Christians say Jews killed Jesus! Muslims state Jews and Christians require Islam! With ever-popular Bible and Koran, potential conflict is written and widely circulated throughout world. This is a fact!

According to recent statistics, Christianity and Islam are largest religions in world, making up about 33% and 19.6% of population. [6] Many Christians and Muslims have experienced God's power in their lives. Both can agree that God represents qualities of love and compassion. For religion to survive in world, priorities must be established by leaders and members within major religions. Will this ever happen? Only God knows. As an author, I recognize, respect and affirm spirituality within all world religions, yet discover contradictions within accepted foundations of each. Written scripture and traditions can pass along what obviously has and will lead to conflict. As intelligent humans, it is time to discover real world religions.

[1] Papias was said to have lived from 60-130 AD. None of his writings were found. Bishop Irenaeus, born around 140 AD, quoted Papias as saying, "And presbyter said this. Mark having become interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard Lord nor accompanied Him ... Matthew put together oracles in Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could." Polycarp was said to live from 69-155 CE. Along with Papias, other Apostolic Fathers are: Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Hermas, and authors of The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistle to Diognetus, and Didache. Selections from Irenaeus and “The Letter of Polycarp to Philippians” are translated by Rev. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers; American Edition, 1885; Electronic version, newadvent.org, 1997.

[2] My current book "Love Your Neighbors? Discover Real World Religions" mentions much more about writer of this Gospel, particularly claim that Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after being dead for four days (John 11).

[3] The "Twelvers" are larger group of minority Shi'ite Muslims. They believe twelfth leader in Muhammad's true line of successors disappeared and will return to restore order. Some might recognize similarities with Jesus' second coming.

[4] This verse clearly hints at fact that Muhammad had corresponded with some individual, who was probably espoused with some form of Judaism or Christianity. Some scholars point out that “foreigner” might refer to Salman Persian, Adas Monk, or Suhaib bin Sinan. The issue of Muhammad and writing of Koran are detailed in "Love Your Neighbors? Discover Real World Religions."

[5] Muhammad knew Jews and Christians. During his lifetime individuals and groups espoused various views of Jesus. One group, Monophysites, flourished in Egypt and Syria. They said Jesus Christ had only one nature that was divine. Because these people completely associated divine power of Jesus Christ with God, it followed that actual humanity and suffering of Jesus were only apparent. Jesus was not actually crucified. The Crucifixion was an illusion. This was an early Christian view called Docetism, stemming from Greek "dokeo", “I seem.” There are indications that Monophysites, which heavily influenced Christian traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy, held essential elements of this view where Christ’s suffering was “apparent,” or in other words an illusion. It might be noted that in 1984 Syrian Orthodox patriarch and Catholic pope signed a declaration proclaiming historical differences were due to linguistic inadequacies and that everything was semantics.

[6] References for these and other statistics: Barrett, D.B., G.T. Kurian, & T.M. Johnson, "World Christian Encyclopedia: a comparative survey of churches and religions in modern world." Oxford University Press: NY, 2001; 2001 "Encyclopedia Britannica Book of Year"; "Time Almanac 2001"; and Adherents.com

________________________________ Scot Aaron has a University degree in Religious Studies. He also created Independent Travel-Study Programs and spent years "backpacking" through many countries to learn about religion, history and culture. "Love Your Neighbors? Discover Real World Religions" (ISBN 1-58916-777-5) is his most current book. Please visit his web pages at PsalmPublishing.bei.t-online.de