We have remarked in the previous chapters that the Prophet Jesus’ return is very important to Christians. The reason for this is that the Bible, which comprises the Torah and the Gospel (the Four Gospels, various letters and accounts of leading early Christians, and the Revelation of St. John), contains many revelations about the End Times. The Prophet Jesus’ second coming figures prominently in the Gospel.
The Torah and the Gospel provide various explanations about future events. As we know, while the Torah does not mention the Prophet Jesus by name, it reveals the coming of a Messiah, that is the Mahdi, from David’s lineage and the Mahdi’s features are provided in details. The Gospel, however, is full of revelations concerning the Prophet Jesus’ second coming, the accompanying signs of this blessed incident, and the End Times.
Allah reveals in the Qur’an that both the Torah and the Gospel have been tampered with over time and that, as a result, they contain some false beliefs. While some parts may have remained true to their original form, other parts have been modified, altered, and added to by various people. Given this, we can rely only on their accounts insofar as they are compatible with the Qur’an and the hadiths. As the following examples will demonstrate, there is a great deal of similarity with Islamic sources on the Prophet Jesus’ second coming and the End Times.
When we examine the Gospel, we see that the Prophet Jesus’ second coming is a central theme. The accounts here relate the natural phenomena and social events that will take place before and after his return. When we look at the Prophet’s hadiths relating these events, we notice that the signs of the End Times appear to be more imminent than they were in the past. (For detailed informationsee Signs of the Last Day, Global Publishing, Istanbul, 2003) Strikingly, almost all of signs heralding the advent of the Last Day have appeared in our time. Therefore, we can say that given the information in the Islamic sources, as well as in the Torah and the Gospel, the End Times have arrived.
The Gospel’s Account of the Prophet Jesus’ Second Coming
Out of the Gospel’s 259 chapters, 210 of them contain 318 references about the Prophet Jesus’ second coming. Clear statements are given below on the Prophet Jesus’ ascent to Allah’s Presence and his return to Earth, as follows:
“So if anyone tells you: ‘There he [the Messiah] is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or: ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:26-27) So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:44)
… The appearing of our teacher Jesus, which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:15-16) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8) This good news of God will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) “At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of Earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30) “Men of Galilee,” they [angels] said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven.” (Acts 1:11) “…the Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for… the teacher Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” (Revelation 1:7) I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn Godlessness away from [the line of] Jacob. (Romans 11:25-26)
Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [the coming of Jesus] is near, right at the door. (Matthew 24:32-33)
As stated earlier, the Prophet Jesus will inauguate an era of justice, wealth, and virtue upon his second coming. As the Gospel says:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) This, then, is how you should pray:… Your kingdom come… (Matthew 6:9-10) People will come from the east and the west, and [from] the north and the south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed, there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. (Luke 13:29-30)
Clearly, there are striking similarities between the accounts of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism concerning the Prophet Jesus’ second coming and the global rule of religious morality. This harmony has engendered a great anticipation in all three religions. The era in which we live is probably the one in which the anticipation of this miracle has reached its apex and is also near to be fulfilled. This is a great news that helps the believers retain their high morale.
