Sunday, March 31, 2019


During a recent visit to Morocco on March 30, 2019, Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI made an appeal that Jerusalem is important to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and that they be allowed freedom to pray to God, the Creator of all.  The text below is from Liberia Editrice Vaticana:
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On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Holiness and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, recognizing the unique and sacred character of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif, and deeply concerned for its spiritual significance and its special vocation as a city of peace, join in making the following appeal:
“We consider it important to preserve the Holy City of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif as the common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue can be cultivated.
To this end, the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.
It is our hope, therefore, that in the Holy City, full freedom of access to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and their right to worship will be guaranteed, so that in Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif they may raise their prayers to God, the Creator of all, for a future of peace and fraternity on the earth”.
Rabat, 30 March 2019
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Amir al-Mu’minin
His Holiness Pope Francis
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What is certain is that Pope Francis, Mohammad VI, and the city of Jerusalem are historically verifiable persons and location.  What is absent from the agreement are three important points: 1) What is missing is a Jewish voice; 2) what is also missing is a discussion on the Temple Mount; and 3) what is missing also is the topic on Jesus as the Messiah. 
It certainly seems possible that you might find evidence among Muslims that Jesus is the Messiah (e.g., Arabic saying in the Dome of the Rock).  You might even find someone who is Jewish who acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah (e.g., a Messianic Jew).  So in a sense, you might have two or more witnesses to Jesus as the Christ.  However, you also have the possibility of someone else claiming or being proclaimed as the Messiah (e.g., Simon bar Kokhba, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, or even Evie Moore).   
Where is this all leading?  Some will see this appeal as a call for peace in Jerusalem.  Others will argue it is an attempt to establish a false religion.  Others might interpret this as a call to maintain the present “status quo” in Jerusalem.  Time will tell.    

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