Now that the so-called era of the ?great religions? has arrived with a bang at the turn of the 21st century, why does the world find itself in the midst of so much religious turmoil? Why do we see killings in the name of religion at every turn? Why do we see so much violence, so much unfairness, that we start to become numb to it all. Why is the world so divided by religious beliefs? Who is right: Christians or Muslims? What is the true religion? Why do we battle over the subject of God, the One we claim to be Creator of the universe, while at the same time seeming to agree on the subject of creation itself?



These kinds of questions used to haunt me almost daily until the answers came to light as revelations detailed in the new book, Echoes of Heaven: God's Love is Better Than Life Itself. This book also contains revelations about other subjects that haunt the minds of millions, such as the nature of the soul, death, life after death, and the reality of heaven and hell. Man was created superior to all other creatures made by God, even the angels. Man was given responsibility for all other creatures, as well as a special responsibility to other men. In the beginning, God established a good relationship with man. He established the true religion and He required man to cultivate this religion as well as man's relationship with man.

The problem faced by the world today is an inability to maintain the true religion. We are unable to maintain a good relationship with God or with one another. We no longer care to know what God wants and whether or not we are doing what pleases Him. We no longer defend the rights of the poor and orphans; instead, we make more people suffer, to the point of killing. As a result, we have disgraced not only our world but also ourselves. Our wickedness will cost our lives.

God, the author of life, understood that man has two forms: soul (spiritual) and flesh (physical). But the soul and flesh are antagonistic toward each other. A man can face either a spiritual enemy or a physical enemy. Knowing that soul and flesh have different desires, God made two types of leaders: political leaders for the flesh and spiritual leaders for the soul. Both kinds of leaders are anointed the same way, with their purpose being to lead and guide God's children in righteous and prosperous ways. Both are called to be servants or shepherds, but not to oppress and control God's children. Both leaders are unified in thought and purpose, but with different roles.

Politicians, God made you leaders so you could feed the poor, set free the oppressed, and be the voice of orphans and widows in your communities. But political leaders today are ignorant, and walk their own way because of pride. They forget that God hates the haughty and cannot tolerate those with a prideful look, those with hands that kill the innocent, and those who stir up trouble among friends. They grab or steal or loot from God's children, instead of healing their hearts by giving them hope and words of encouragement. They break hearts by enslaving people and separating them, instead of reconciling them. God hates anyone who tries to control others. God hears the cries of women and children no matter what excuses we give to justify our actions.

No one has a right to kill. That idea is not godly, but satanic and demonic. Politicians, you must act according to the heart in order to win God's favor. Stop thinking that you are wiser than you are; simply obey God and serve His children with a clean and loving heart, because God is watching you from above. It is wrong to torment people with fear in order to control them. God's way is to win people's hearts through love, kindness, friendship, and sweet words ? not by abusing God-given power and authority. Use those tools instead for the glory of God.

The new book, Echoes of Heaven, puts the blame on spiritual or religious leaders for the events and confusion in the world today. Spiritual leaders have more responsibility than political leaders. They are anointed by God to protect people from spiritual enemies, heal broken hearts, intercede for the people, be merciful to others, work for peace, humble themselves before the Lord, and bless political leaders. Politicians are responsible to seek advice and guidance from spiritual leaders.

Our spiritual leaders have failed us, though, as they go their own way without caring whether or not they serve God's children. They are caught up in the political arena, and as a consequence they are spiritually blind. Instead of fulfilling their mission, they are fulfilling their own dreams. They no longer serve either God, who anointed them, nor the children of God, whom they were called to serve. They seek advice and opinions from philosophers, scholars, and ?experts? instead of seeking wisdom from God who sent them; yet they expect the people to seek and trust God for everything. This has created confusion and mystery about the subject of God. God, the Creator of the universe, is not a God of confusion. He makes known to us His ways and His will in a simple and clear way. God has sent us prophets, messengers, and loved ones who bring before us messages of guidance or reconciliation, teaching us the true religion and the relationships between man and God, as well as between man and fellow man. Spiritual leaders have responsibility to continue these teachings without fear, exercising the power and authority from God. But these spiritual leaders are competing among themselves for the children of God -- not because they want to serve them diligently but because they have personal interests or they want to build empires on earth rather than the Kingdom of God. Are they following the teachings and guidance from those with whom they claim association?

In Echoes of Heaven I detailed the revelation I had received about whether Christians or Muslims are right. Before I had the revelation, I would wonder why Christians and Muslims fight when they have so many similarities, yet other religions with greater differences are not fighting. My revelation, which came through a dream, showed the similarities of Christianity and Islam. In the dream, both Christians and Muslims prayed for fire from heaven, and both of them were answered with fire, showing both groups to be genuine.

But why do Christians and Muslims fight? It is true that Christianity and Islam, as religions do not fight. Their founders did not teach fighting and animosity. They brought God's guidance to us, and set standards for us to follow with clean, humble, and loving hearts. Are we following their standards when fighting our brothers and sisters? Why, then, are the two religions engaged in fighting and animosity? Are they leading people to heaven as they claim, or to hell? Do the faiths collide? The major reasons they fight are:

?Today, it is hard to differentiate between a spiritual or religious leader and a political leader. Politicians also function as spiritual leaders and, for personal or political gain, use these major religions as a shield. They no longer serve their intended purpose or fulfill God's mission; rather, they are intent on fulfilling their own personal dreams. Though they are anointed as God's vessels to lead God's children home, they are instead making themselves rulers to control people.

?Since the two religions are similar, they are in stiff competition for power and popularity. Leaders preach hatred to divide people, instead of love to unite them. It is a pity to see religions that are supposed to be sacred for worship being turned into institutions like any other.

?Because of fighting and confusion among us, the spiritual enemy called Satan has taken control of the world. There is no peace or love in today's world; we are just stirring up trouble among brothers and sisters. Faiths do not collide, but political and spiritual powers do.

What is the remedy for all this? Is it too late for us to change? It is never too late, so long as we are willing and we are still alive. It is high time that both political and spiritual leaders realize they are called for a celestial mission. We need to recognize our roles and separate them in order to be effective and to keep from colliding. We need to separate the state or government from religion, and both institutions must respect and work in harmony for the glory of God. One cannot work without the other, yet they must be independent. Spiritual leaders need to start teaching about the true religion rather than hatred for other people or religions. Spiritual leaders must stop judging and condemning those who do not follow them, and instead set examples for others to imitate by respecting all. We are brothers and sisters in spite of our diversity; why kill one another? Both kinds of leaders must stop ruling over God's children, but rather lead them in righteous and prosperous ways. Do not forget that God lifted you from the dust to become a leader, and to the dust you can return, if you don't fulfill His purpose.

Remember that we are like a puff of breath or like grass that grows and flourishes like a wildflower; then the wind blows on it, and it is gone -- no one sees it again. Great and small, king and servant, rich and poor, young and old alike are worthless in the face of the world without God. It is better to obey God than to offer the best sacrifice to Him. Our rebellion against God is as bad as witchcraft, and our arrogance is as sinful as idolatry.

I personally respect both spiritual and political leaders because I believe God bestows leadership. But you leaders must do what God sent you to do. There is more to do in this world than to engage in fighting, if we want to leave this world better than we found it. Every person in this world has a responsibility to develop the world rather than to join our enemy (Satan) in his mission of destruction.

Today, we have a choice to make, either to destroy the world or to make it better for the short time we have to live in it. The world is our home for today, and heaven is our home for tomorrow. We can make the earth like heaven, or like hell. We must respect each other's lives, knowing that everyone has a right to live and to be happy. Leaders, let your heart's desire be a passion for loving and serving people. Seek knowledge and wisdom from God.

It is my heart's desire to teach the world about the passion for God's loves - the beauty of God.

Charles Elephant

Author of the ?Echoes of Heaven?

www.echoesofheaven.org

+1-973-368-9110

passion@echoesofheaven.org