Table of Contents (TOC)

1

The identity of the LORD Jesus

2

Muhammad's belief in the Bible

3

Charges of textual corruption

4

Warfare and treatment of enemies

5

Salvation and the Afterlife

6

Concluding remarks

7

The Eternal Choice which must be made

The identity of the LORD Jesus

The Deity of Christ as the Son of God (ontological oneness, having the same Divine nature; proceeding from the Father, not created like men or angels. See here for more) and His mission

Death and Resurrection proclaimed; the central facts of the gospel

Muhammad's denial of both Christ's identity and His gospel

Commentary

And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.. (Gn. 1:26; before the “royal” plural for one was seen used in Scripture)

"Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself; " (Isaiah 44:24)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (Jn. 1:1-3)

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple...And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory...Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for US? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah 6:1,3,8,9)

These things said Esaias [Isaiah, above], when he saw His glory, and spake of Him... And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me. (Jn. 12:41,45)

Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe....Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (Jn. 20:25,27,28)

...whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. (Mt. 16:15-17)

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was HIs Father [“His own,” idion patēr, which was a claim to unique oneness], making himself equal with God. (John 5:18)

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:13-14)

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM [“he” is not in the Greek], ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:23-24)

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:58-59)

As soon then as he had said unto them, I AM [“he” is not in the Greek], they went backward, and fell to the ground. (John 18:6)

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. " (Hebrews 1:8)

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Hebrews 1:10)

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. " (Rev. 1:8)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {6} All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten [very own, unique, one of a kind; uncreated] Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Jn. 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17, 36

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation [final, complete and perfect payment] for our sins.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1Tim. 3:16

The Holy Spirit next expressly warns of “another gospel,” that contradicts the true Gospel:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6-9; cf. 2Cor. 11:1-4, 13-15  

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry." (Matthew 17:22-23)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures [as predicted: Is. 53]; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 1Cor 15:3-6

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:23, 24, 32

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him. 1Pt. 2:22, 24, 3:18, 22

For He (God the Father) hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2Cor. 5:21

The basic gospel message that the original apostles (approx. 35-90 AD.) preached:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that GOD is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which GOD sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him GOD raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of GOD, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of GOD to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:34-43

They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary..." 5:72 (Yusuf Ali)

They surely disbelieve [are infidels] who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no Allah save the One Allah. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. 5:73 (Pickthal)

The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. 5:75a (Pickthal)

...Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity"... 4:171 (Yusuf Ali)

And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I had ever said it, then Thou wouldst have known it... 5:116 (Pickthal)

That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- 4:157-56 (Yusuf Ali) 

Comparison of the Qur'an with the Bible shows that the Qur'an clearly contradicts it, denying both the Divine nature of Christ and that He died for our sins and rose again.

However, many times Muhammad affirmed the Law, and the Gospels as true and authoritative. Later, in response to the evident contradictions, Islam taught that the Bible was changed to say things which the Qur'an and Islam denies. However, such a change would require an almost complete rewriting of the entire New Testament, and substantial changes of the Old, neither of which suppositions the abundant manuscript evidence, experiential proofs, or logic will support in the light of the facts. Not one of the thousands of partial or full Biblical manuscripts that have been found (including those which predate Mohammad) support the contradictions found in the Qur'an! See below for additional information on this.

Much supernatural cause-effect evidence also testifies to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Since Muhammad appeals to the Bible as a verifying source of Truth, how can Islam now say the Bible was altered to declare the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the Son of GOD, when abundant Biblical manuscript evidence from before the time of Muhammad exists, all of which testifies to the claims of CHRIST as being the Divine Son of GOD, and that He died for our sins and rose again to glory, as Savior and Judge? There simply is no real evidence to support these claims of Islam. (See Lk.1:1-4; Acts 1:1-11; 10:34-44; 1Cor.15:1-7; 1Pet. 2:24; 3:18-22). 

 TOC 

Muhammad's belief in the Bible

• We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; 2:87a

• It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). 3:3 (Yusuf Ali)

• And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.

• Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.

• To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. 5:46-48 (Yusuf Ali)

• If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt. 10:94 (Yusuf Ali)

• Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your LORD. 5:68; (Yusuf Ali)

• And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam). 29:46; (Yusuf Ali)

• We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. 4.163 (Yusuf Ali)

• Sura 6:34 also states that "there is none that can alter the words (and decrees) of Allah." TOC

Charges of textual corruption

Islamic apologists recognize the clear and abundant contradictions between the Qur'an and the Bible, and therefore charge that the Bible was tampered with, invoking Surah 2:78-79 which speaks of "illiterates, who know not the Book....who write the Book with their own hands."

Christian apologists respond to these charges by pointing out that the Qur'an itself affirms the integrity of The Book, thus if corruption occurred then it would be in contradiction to the Qur'an itself, and its doctrine of the preservation of Divine revelation. In addition, the amount of alterations required to explain the Quranic deviations from Biblical text would require a significant amount of changes to the Old Testament and virtually a complete rewriting of the New, yet for such a project there is no manuscript evidence, but the contrary exists for its preservation from such changes.

Christian apologists note that an abundance of manuscripts which predate the Quran yet exist,¹ such as the Codex Sinaiticus (c. 350 AD), with Aland numbering a total of 230 extant New Testament manuscript portions which pre-date 600 AD (192 Greek New Testament manuscripts, 5 Greek lectionaries containing scripture, and 33 translations of the Greek New Testament). (Kurt and Barbara Aland, 1987:82-83)² The doctrinal agreement of these with later manuscripts manifest that no such manner of alterations or rewriting took place. ^{3 4}

In addition, it is postulated that if Muhammad could not read, as Islam states, then he would have relied upon the word of others (travelers, etc.) who were overall likely to be significantly Biblically illiterate.⁵ This would explain how Muhammad could reprove such things as the Christian Trinity consisting of God, Jesus and Mary,⁶ (Sura 5:116) in addition to speaking numerous contradictions of the Bible.

In response, Muslim apologists seek to make a case against a reliable Bible based upon the lack of a universal canon among all Christian churches, or early incomplete manuscripts, or additions to them (''the Epistle of Barnabas'', and portions of ''The Shepherd of Hermas'' to Codex Sinaiticus), as well a relatively small degree of actual (beyond spelling, etc.) textual disagreement ⁷ among some of the thousands of existing manuscripts. However, none of these aspects provides a solution to the Islamic problem, as none of the manuscripts substantiate the Qur'anic deviations, nor does the small percentage (contrary to typical Muslim exaggeration) of actual variants among manuscripts support the manner of massive changes which the Islamic solution requires.

Moreover, the Qur'an, for which there is no manuscripts evidence for over 100 years after it was said to be given,⁸ evidences its own problematic texts,⁹ even though it is a far smaller (in size and scope) book, and one that was written after durable writing materials came into use, and then underwent a purification process in which variant manuscripts were burned.¹⁰ The conclusion is that “manuscript, as well as documentary and archaeological evidence indicates that much of what the Qur'an maintains does not coincide with the historical data at our disposal which comes from that period.”¹¹

Some assert that the predominant religion after the 4th century, that of Roman Catholicism, changed the Bible. However, apart from the practical difficulties this assertion faces, if that was their case then Catholicism did a very poor job as the Bible (which they once forbade the public to read) soundly reproves the aberrations of Christianity (from praying to departed saints to the perpetual virginity of Mary to the perpetuated Petrine papacy, which the Roman church has historically manifested. (Mt. 15:1-14; 24; 2Cor.11:1-4, 12-15; Gal.1:6-9; etc.].

Thus it is seen that it is the Qur'an that has changed what God revealed in the Bible, while seeking to use the Bible as a basis of authority.

In addition, although Muslims also typically claim that the text of the Qur'an is identical to that received by Muhammad, Christian researchers contend that there is overwhelming evidence that it is not.¹²

As no extant Biblical manuscript, from before the time of Muhammad or after him, agrees with the Quranic contradictions, many Muslim apologists look to the so-called Gospel of Barnabas for support. However, this radically different account is judged by both Christian and secular academics (and even some Muslims such as Abbas el-Akkad) to be a late work and pseudepigraphical. With its obvious anachronisms and historical errors (like sailing to Nazareth) and utter lack of early manuscript evidence and irreconcilable differences between it and any ancient manuscripts, it is manifest to be a fourteenth century attempt to read later Islamic doctrine into the Bible, which clearly refutes it..^{13, 14 15 16}

TOC

Warfare and treatment of enemies

As regards the means of spreading and defending the faith, as Muhammad did in-deed promote “Jihad” and retaliation by physical force and blood shed, then it is to be expected that a true Qur'an-believing Muslim would seek to practice physical violence and brutality in retaliation against enemies and in seeking to establish submission to his god Allah.

Conversely, in the true light of the Biblical Gospel of CHRIST, it would wrong for a true Bible-believing Christian to use physical violence or such coercion (as was used in the Inquisitions) in bringing souls to obey the Lord JESUS CHRIST, or to defend the faith. Instead, having been "born from above," the believer need not and must not use the sword of men to enlarge of defend the spiritual Kingdom of the Lord Jesus in this age of grace, but as their real enemies are spiritual, they are to use decidedly spiritual means: prayer and the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:10-18), and by such, and with compassion, seek to persuade souls by the manifestation of the Truth. (2Cor. 4:2)

Before the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, physical religious violence was ordained by God in the Old Testament within the context of a physical kingdom, and was instituted with and often accompanied by unmistakable supernatural attestation of God (Ex. 7:20-12:30; 14:21-31; Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 11:1-3 ;16:32 Josh. 10:12-14 ; Ps. 105;106).

Under the New Covenant, promised by the prophet Jeremiah, (Jer. 33:31-34), and instituted at Jesus death, (Lk. 22:20; Heb. 9:16) the kingdom of God is a spiritual one (thus to enter into it you must be born of the Spirit: Jn.3:3-7), and the means by which it wages “war” are essentially spiritual. While things such as the Roman Catholic Crusades and Inquisitions are often invoked by both Muslim apologists and atheists as evidence of the violent nature of Christianity, the New Covenant neither supports the church using physical violence or its force in order to subdue its spiritual enemies, including retaliation, or to constrain acceptance of Christ, or otherwise rule over those without. Nor did the church even use such in church discipline. (Mt. 5:13, 14; 12:15-17; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 6:1-10; 10:3-6; 1 Cor. 5:12,13) Instead, Jesus Christ has constructed the church in such a way that it must rely upon spiritual power and means, in order to truly represent Him and bring God's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Rather than the use of religious violence being a characteristic of Christian groups which take the Bible to be their ultimate authority, more often such go to what some consider extremes of pacifism, while things as the Crusades and Inquisitions or the Mormon's Utah War are a result of a man or organization being exalted above the Bible, and fostering critical ignorance or misconstruance of its teachings.

The just use of force by the established civil government is sanctioned under the New Covenant, (Rm. 13:1-5; 1Pet. 2:13-15) and Christians may sometimes by employed in so doing, yet the only time Christians may engage in “religious killing” is by purely supernatural means. (Acts 5:1-12; Jude 1:14,15; Rev. 19:14,15)

It should also be noted that, at less than 80,000 words, (figures vary, but 77,439 by ‘Ata bin Yasar), the Qur'an is much smaller than the Bible. (about 602,585 words in the Old Testament and 80,552 in the New = 783,037, with the total words in just the verses in the King James Version being counted at 788,258). The Qur'an is also far more restrictive in its scope of communication, (http://www.bible.ca/islam/library/Gilchrist/Vol1/4a.html; http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Menj/bravo_r4bc.htm) lacking the manner of extensive historical narratives of the Bible, and the superior context it provides for its commands, including means and conditions of warfare, as well as genealogical records which helps provide historical chronology. In addition, absent from the Quran are extended doctrinal discourses on salvation, especially such as are seen in the New Testament. This results in difficultly formulating broad systematic theology out of the Qur'an by itself, and its allusions to Biblical characters and events evidences that it requires knowledge of the Bible, which as the prior revelation, it must agree with.

The means of warfare, of defending and adding to the Kingdom of Christ in under the New Covenant, and the treatment of enemies.

Muhammad's commands of regarding retaliation, treatment of enemies, and means of expanding Islam

Commentary

Note: The Qur'an is also supplemented by the Hadith, a collection of accounts of Muhammad's teaching and life that is considered by most Muslims as a secondary authority for Islamic doctrine, and a historical hermeneutic has emerged which supports a fairly broad criteria for Islamic Jihads against other countries. Being more of a purist myself, I have sought to use only the Qur'an as my source for Islamic teaching here. A more extensive resource which takes into account the teaching of the Hadith, specifically regarding whether Islam promotes physical violence, can be found http://www.muslimhope.com/WarInIslam.htm .

An additional but brief page on Muhammad's teachings on violence, with concurring Islamic interpretation, may be found here.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ... if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mt.5:39-44; 6:15

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom 12:19-21

“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with GOD. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1Pt. 2:20-25

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 2Cor. 6:4-10

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2Cor. 10:3-5

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:12

Note the response to opposition manifest in Christ Himself and His chosen apostles:

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Lk. 23:33, 34.

Note the means used in church discipline:

"And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: {7} Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. {8} But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. {9} Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, {10} And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? {11} And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. {12} Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." Acts 13:6-12

"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. {2} And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. {3} For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, {4} In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, {5} To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1 Cor 5:1-5

"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? {13} But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." 1 Cor 5:12-13

Steven's response to be stoned because of his reproof of the Pharisees:

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep”. Acts 7:51-60.

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. Sura 5:51 (Yusuf Ali)

They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper. Sura 4:89 (Shakir)

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.

And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 2:190-192 (Pickthal)

And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers. 2:193 (Pickthal)

Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). 8:38 (Yusuf Ali)

And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do. 8:39 (Pickthal)

Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan. 4:76 (Yusuf Ali)

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter... 5:33 (Yusuf Ali)

And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.

(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 9:3-5 (Yusuf Ali)

But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand. '

But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained. 9:11,12 (Yusuf Ali)

O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque...Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. 9:28,29 (Yusuf Ali)

O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites! Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless journey's end. 9:73 (Pickthal)

O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). 9:123 (Pickthal)

Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain. 47:4 (Pickthal)

 While many sincere Muslims disagree,¹³ "War against Allah" can be understood to be non-submission to Islam and the active practice of other religions, especially Judaism and Christianity (Sura 8:39,40); thus the justification of violence against them by fundamental Islam, especially when it rules the land. Islamic scholar Aga Mahdi Puya is quoted as stating,

"Waging war against Allah and his Prophet means hostility against his chosen representatives, or deviation from his laws by overstepping the boundaries laid down by Him.. or attempts to undermine the cause of Islam and the overall interests of the Muslims."

Many commands are given to fight against unbelievers, with 1 in every 55 verses in the Muslim Qur'an consisting of exhortations to make war on unbelievers. Though such usually seem to be in the context of opposition by unbelievers, such exhortations to physically suppress and retaliate are another example of the constant contradictions of the Qur'an with the actual words of Christ, who commanded just the opposite of retaliation and conquest by the sword of men.

While many sincere Muslims disagree with those who support violence Jihad, and can provide a few brief quotes advocating tolerance from Muhammad's pre-Medenic suras, which were written in Mecca where he became the was a minority. Initially when he was weak (before Medina) he allowed more of peaceful co-existence by ways of treaties, etc., but when he gained power he progressively sought to enlarge his kingdom by force. History thus indicates that Muhammad's theology adapted to his needs, and sura 2.106 states, “None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?” (Yusuf Ali)

In addition, the Qur'an, unlike the Bible, lacks the context, cohesiveness and consistency to yield a clear and substantiated exegesis that would prevent an ideology of world conquest by the sword, and at worst such commands as to fight until the only worship be of Allah (2:193; 8:39) may easily be used to justify world - wide physical Jihad, such as we see more of today. Oppressing or making war against Islam can easily be understood to include ideological opposition.

Despite the cry of western Muslim clerics who dispute that Islam promotes religious violence, in studying the Qur'an and the practices of Islam it is grammatically, historically, and contextually evident that these exhortations to "Jihad" cannot be relegated to simply spiritual applications, but that the meaning of such Qur'anic exhortations to fighting and violence can easily and often be applied to physical Jihad, and even be extended against ideological opposition, as defined by Islam.

The affirmation of the Pact of Umar, as well as advocation of Sharia law by many Muslims, evidences the manner of subjection that non-Muslims who are not killed in Islamic “holy wars” may expect if their countries are conquered by Islam.

This is daily seen in every country or area where orthodox Muslims are in control. Even in a moderate Muslim country like Egypt, churches cannot be repaired or built without the express permission of the head of Egypt (rarely given), and conversion to Christianity is against the law. Meanwhile Bib Laden-type Muslims would war even against other Islamic counties that do not rightly practice Islam.

The cruelest meaning of Islamic submission is too often manifest: the suppression by force of all that is actively contrary to Islam, rather than being able to persuade souls by spiritual means to seek the truth, and believe and obey it. The former means would only be permissible if it was within a theocracy that was clearly substantiated as ordained by God, as it was in the days of Moses. (Dt. 13; 17) In that dispensation the LORD had indeed ordained a theocracy, so that the religious powers also were empowered to rule as the civil power. However, Islam utterly fails the Biblical criteria for such ordination. For whereas the LORD provided abundant, consistent and powerfully evident Divine attestation for Moses and those that followed - insomuch as they overall obeyed God - so that there could be no real doubt that the LORD had ordained Moses and the Theocracy that God established, the same has not been the case with Muhammad and his faithful followers. For whereas the Law was given to Moses in fearfully evident ways (Ex. 20:18, 19), and those who opposed him were dealt supernatural punishments (such as being struck with leprosy, or the ground swallowing them up, etc.: Num. 12:1-14; 16:1-34), Muhammad could only claim that God gave him revelations, and those who opposed were dealt with after the manner of men.

In addition, Moses and Joshua, and faithful others (such as Gideon and Hezekiah) saw the LORD work mighty victories (such as the angel of the Lord slaying 144,000 enemies), and which were simply impossible any other way. In contrast, outside of a few notable military victories in its rapid expansion, and which “can be attributed to the weakness of its enemies,¹⁴ Islam historically has not seen the manner of Divine attestation that the God - ordained Theocracy of Moses, etc. saw as they obeyed God. If Islam were the true religion, and an extension of Biblical religion, and it's religious violence was sanctioned by God (which it must be), then we would have seen like evident, Mosaic - type Divine attestation, that would have long ago subdued it's enemies - without having to resort to suicide bombers.

Islam's excuse for this lack of Divine attestation cannot be that the fault is simply with unfaithful leaders, as there have been many faithful ones. Indeed, if the hand of God has been evident even in conventional battles, it has often been against Islam, and in favor is Israel and other nations.

Israel, which lost it's land, as God warned, (Dt. 28) due to continued disobedience, and which land finally became Britain's, and who gave them a portion of it back, is seen by Islam as those who drove them forth from their houses. Yet it was not their land historically, and it was Islamic nations who attack the infant Israeli nation, who, though being vastly out numbered, defeated their attackers, resulting in the loss of Arabic communities (who reportedly were told by their Muslim brethren to flee their homes until the Arabs' were victorious). Most Arabic nations refuse to absorb Palestinian refugees, for mostly political purposes, while seeking the total destruction of Israel. While Israel has given back almost all the land it won in subsequent Islamic - initiated wars, yet Islamic nations remain almost universally opposed to Israel's existence, and many declare Jihad against America due to her rightful friendship with Israel (who has a historic right to the land, even though it's troubles are a continued chastisement because of their hardness of heart against their Messiah Jesus).  

This issue is related to the above, for if Islam is the true religion, then according to it's own doctrine it would not have been under British rule in the first place, nor lost all it's wars against Israel. Nor will any victories against the post - Christian, and increasingly decadent west attest to her claims (it is too late for that), any more than Babylon's defeat of Israel by conventional means long ago proved it's religion superior. The Bible declares that the wicked are God's sword in judgment (Ps. 17:3). But God will in fact judge such for their excess cruelty (Zec. 1:15).

Conclusion

In the light of Muhammad's constant admonitions to physical violence and blood shed in retaliation for wrongs and in furthering Islamic rule, and his actions in doing so, it can be considered inconsistent for a true Muslim to not practice such as need may be, after the manner of their father (Jn. 8:44).

This includes promoting violence and the suppression of those who will not worship according to the dictates of Islam in their countries, but who instead actively practice a faith contrary to that of the Qur'an - primarily Jews and Christians.

Fortunately, most Muslims do not obey such injunctions according to their original intended literal meanings, but instead spiritualize such away – contrary to Muhammad's often provided exhortations and example.

In contrast to Islam, it is impossible for a true Bible-believing Christian to practice physical violence or coercion in bringing souls to yield to the Only Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, in the true light of His Biblical Gospel. To do so represents either ignorance concerning both the clear statements in this regard, or the willful wresting of the same from their respective contexts cf. (2Pt. 3:16). It is exceeding clear that the new covenant disallows waging "war after the flesh" (2Cor.10:3) in promoting or defending the spiritual kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ in this age of grace (Jn.18:36; Eph.6:12).

In conclusion, comparison with their Bible and its history reveals that Islam is not ordained by God as the true religion, nor is it's religious violence sanctioned by Him as if it were His Theocracy. Instead, Islam is an amalgamation of 7th century mysticism, Judaism, and Christianity. Which, like it's 7th century founder, seeks to use the sword of men to subdue it's enemies. Though in some respects it may be more viable than some pagan religions (insomuch as it contains some degree of Biblical morality and principles) yet it misconstrues the nature, character and will of the Living and True God of the Bible, and leads souls to damnation rather than Paradise, as they reject the Jesus of the Bible, and the ultimate sacrifice the LORD made for us, even His death and resurrection on our behalf.

These rather bold but true statements are designed to help one to better perceive the stark reality of evil - even in the form of religion - and to therefore turn from sin to the Lord Jesus. It was He Himself that was the object of the wrath of such religion, but Who laid down His life as the only perfect and acceptable payment for our sins. And being risen to glory, He is "able to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by Him" (Heb.7:25). He did not promote the shedding of blood to further His kingdom, but instead His shed His own to pay for all mankind's sins. So that by “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21) whosoever will come may be saved. Praise ye the Lord!

13 http://www.islam-watch.org/Others/Muslim-scholars-letter-to-Pope-Lies-Deception.htm

14. which were “debilitated by long external conflicts (the Sasanian empire) or by the fragility of internal structure (Spain). There was also discontent with despotic leadership and heavy taxation among the local population, especially in Syria and Spain) “ http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/print/opr/t253/e17 TOC

Salvation and the Afterlife

A false gospel always distorts or denies the revelation of the one True and Living GOD of Creation and of the Bible.

The devil, who lusts after God's honor and power, works to misrepresent the Lord Jesus Christ and misconstrue His true gospel, for it is the Biblical gospel of the grace of God" (act 20:24) which most supremely reveals the character and being of God. It is only in Christ that the holiness and justice of God are satisfied so that sinful man can be saved unto holiness, without compromise.

If man can somehow gain eternal life with God and escape Hell on some merit of his own, or if God will allow man into Heaven without the required righteousness (which no man has of himself), or escape the just punishment of Hell without the required atonement, then God would not be absolutely Holy and perfectly Just, as own statements manifest Him to be. But if sinful, yet repentant-believing souls can be forgiven on His righteous Son's expense (His sinless shed blood) for our sins), and be accepted on Christ's account (His righteousness), THEN man is reconciled to God justly and righteously, and empowered to live practically according to his gifted position, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And progressively so.

The Bible: salvation by grace, and a spiritual Heavenly City or the Lake of Fire

The Qur'an: salvation by merit and a carnal, sensual Paradise or a boiling Hell

Commentary

Biblcal salvation

"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works." (Psalms 145:17)

"For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee." (Psalms 5:4)

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Eccelsiates 7:20)

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:9-10)

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [resurrected alive] by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:3,6)

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

Biblical eternal life

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.(Revelation 21:1-2)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.(Revelation 21:23)

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

Biblical damnation

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:23-24)

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: ... And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31,33)

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Qur'anic salvation

O ye who believe! Turn unto Allah in sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your evil deeds and bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, on the day when Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their light will run before them and on their right hands; they will say: Our Lord! Perfect our light for us, and forgive us! Lo! Thou art Able to do all things. 66:8 (Pickthal)

Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide. 23:101-103

Islamic Paradise

Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other; So; and We shall join them to fair women with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes. There can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security... 4:53-55 (Yusuf Ali)

But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,- their eternal home: Therein shall they have companions pure and holy: We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening. 4:57 (Yusuf Ali)

On couches facing one another, A cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them, White, delicious to the drinkers, Wherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby. And with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes, (Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich). 37:44-49 (Pickthal)

Verily for the Righteous there will be a fulfilment of (the heart's) desires; Gardens enclosed, and grapevines; And voluptuous women of equal age; 78:31-33 (Yusuf Ali)

... they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever). 2:25b (Yusuf Ali)

(To them will be said:) "Eat and drink ye, with profit and health, because of your (good) deeds." 52:19 (Yusuf Ali)

Reclining on ranged couches. And we wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes. 52:20 (Pickthal)

And We provide them with fruit and meat such as they desire. 52:22 (Pickthal)

There shall be sent round to them golden bowls and drinking-cups and therein shall be what their souls yearn after and (wherein) the eyes shall delight, and you shall abide therein. 43:71 (Shakir)

Reclining upon couches lined with silk brocade, the fruit of both the gardens near to hand. Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? Therein are those of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them. 55:54-56 (Pickthal)

Round about them will serve, (devoted) to them, young male servants (handsome) as Pearls well-guarded. 42:24 (Yusuf Ali)

And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race: Those are they who will be brought nigh, In gardens of delight; A multitude of those of old, And a few of those of later time. On lined couches, Reclining therein face to face. There wait on them immortal youths. 56:10-17 (Pickthal)

And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,- Like unto Pearls well-guarded. A Reward for the deeds of their past (life). 56:22-24 (Yusuf Ali)

Islamic damnation

And those on the left hand: What of those on the left hand? In scorching wind and scalding water. And shadow of black smoke, Neither cool nor refreshing. 56:41-44 (Pickthal)

So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell; Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious. And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein. Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished. 19:68-71 ( Yusuf Ali)

These twain (the believers and the disbelievers) are two opponents who contend concerning their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them; boiling fluid will be poured down on their heads, Whereby that which is in their bellies, and their skins too, will be melted; And for them are hooked rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they would go forth from thence they are driven back therein and (it is said unto them): Taste the doom of burning. 22:19-22 (Pickthal)

The Bible reveals that God is infinitely holy and perfectly just, and that one cannot make himself holy enough to be with Him, or escape his just punishment in the Lake of Fire on his own merit. Instead, God revealed that a perfect sacrifice was needed, of someone who was innocent and righteous. In the Old Testament, God provided a complex sacrificial system in which once a year (on the Day of Atonement) a perfect animal (without physical defects) would be ceremoniously slain for the forgiveness of sins, while another animal would have the sins of God's people symbolically transferred to him. God could also forgave sins before these sacrifices, in recognition that there would be a sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. (Leviticus 16:7-10,15,16, 21-24,30,34; 17:11)

However, this was only a temporary means of forgiveness, as the destruction of the temple in 70A.D. (upon which the sacrificial system was dependent) illustrated. God promised through his prophets that a future ruler would be born in the small town of Bethlehem, (Micah 5:2), and that a virgin would be bear a child, ( Isaiah 7:14), while Isaiah 53 describes how the Suffering Servant of God would become both the scapegoat and blood atonement. Only Jesus Christ fulfilled all these prophecies, and more.

However, Muhammad again clearly contradiction with what the Bible taught regarding who Christ was and what He did, and how one is redeemed as a result. In examining the latter here, the Bible teaches that only on Christ's expense and merit can sinful man be saved, and that the joys of the afterlife are essentially spiritual reality. (Rm. 14:17)

While Muhammad makes marriage to beautiful women a main attraction of Paradise, Jesus corrected those who presumed that marriage and sex would be part of the next life, stating, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of GOD. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of GOD in Heaven". (Mt.12:30,31)

In contrast to the Qur'an, the Bible makes it clear that God is the main attraction in Heaven is God Himself, and not food, drink and sex.

In addition. while Sura 19:68-71 indicates that none one can have true assurance of Eternal Life, and that every one will first go to Hell; with those whom the Qur'an defines as evil doers staying there. It is also declared they will drink boiling fluid, while their skin is broiled (evidently new skins will be given them to perpetuate their broiling).

In contrast, in the Bible Hell and the Lake of Fire (into which those in Hell end up) is not a place of hot water, but fire which shall not be quenched.

TOC

Concluding remarks

Muhammad was not without some knowledge of the Bible (which was already well established by Muhammad's time), which is reflected in his reiterating certain Biblical texts and allusions to certain Biblical events and concepts .

But Muhammad invariably not only skews the historical events of the Bible (he likely received many of his versions of Biblical stores from Biblically illiterate traders, etc., or other unreliable sources), but also produces an admixture of the fleshly paganism (sensual soft-eyed reclining virgins in a Muslim Paradise, waiting for their men to copulate with, etc.). along with his own peculiar visions.

Islam attempts to explain the great disparity between the Bible and the Qur'an by saying that the Bible has been altered whenever a contradiction exists between the two. Such an assertion is simply and truly in-credible, as among the many thousands of extant Biblical manuscripts there does not exist even one that agrees with Islam's claims concerning such things as it's Biblically disparate historical accounts. Meanwhile, the Qur'an's contradictions of the New Testament are so immense that it would require a near complete rewriting to concur with the Qur'an. Just the identity and mission of Christ alone, and His death and resurrection are so well established in the New Testament and so inextricably central to it's message that it is impossible to simply change it. Meanwhile, an abundance of Biblical manuscripts antedate the Qur'an, showing that the Bible that people read during the time of Muhammad – and which he called people to examine him by (apparently being largely ignorant of it) – is the same one that exists today.

Man without the Holy Spirit works to make a distorted image of GOD. In Muhammad's case it is a distant and impersonal deity, and one who cannot condescend to mans estate in order manifest himself nor redeem man, but who instead communicated a form of morality and theology through a monologue with Muhammad. Although in some respects this was superior to the polytheism of his day – insofar as it's morality and theology was closer to the Bible which Muhammad often drew from – it misconstrued both the revelation of God and His will, and reveals a god made in the image of man, rather than the wholly Holy, and perfectly Just, yet sacrificially Merciful and ultimately Benevolent Almighty GOD of Abraham!

The True and Living God neither abrogated his Holiness nor Justice in reconciling sinful, Hell-bound man to Himself. God's absolute holiness disallows that man can ever merit Paradise on the basis of His own deeds, nor escape Hell by the same, and the Lord's perfect justice precludes that man can be reconciled to God without a perfect atonement. Only in the cross of Christ is justice satisfied, and forgiveness and reconciliation enabling man.

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2Cor. 5:19). " For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1Pt.3:18). “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1Tim. 3:16).

The Lord thus proclaims, "this is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him" (Mt.17:5; Jn.3:36).

Will you do that today, or will you sin away your day of grace and wake up in Hell, to your own eternal horror?! “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...” “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Heb. 2:3; Acts 3:19; Rm. 10:9).

This decision is shown by being baptized under water in identification with your Lord, and then following Him with a Bible – believing and preaching evangelical church.

There is much more i could add on this subject, “but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)

That is the simple, yet eternal truth and plea. May you who hear receive it for your eternal souls sake, to the glory of the True and Living God!

The Eternal Choice which must be made

The constant call in the Bible is to choose God over sin and be saved, by “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)

• “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Col. 1:13)

• "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." "That if thou shall confess thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe that GOD hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" "

• “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (2Ths. 1:8,9; Rom. 10:9, 13

• “If GOD "spared not His own Son (having the same eternal nature), but delivered Him up for us all," "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? (Rm.10:9,13;. 8:32; Heb.2:3)

• Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice (Jn. 14:6; 18:27).

• “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall, not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (Jn. 5:24)