Life of Ahmad — Page 229
as CLAIMS TO BE THE MESSIAH as 229 shall He find the faith on the earth? Luke 18:8); and the same process of spiritualising away the literal sense of these plain texts of scripture will sap the foundation of every Christian doctrine and leave us to drift into absolute infidelity, or the vagaries of Sweedenborgianism. Mr. J. Monro says that the word which is used chiefly to describe the Second Coming is "parousia" and it certainly implies a literal and personal presence. Ahmad as explained that the prophecies about the Second Advent did not mean that Jesus as himself would come down from the heavens. If this were really possible, Elias as or Idris as would also have descended physically from the heavens according to the scriptures. But the verdict of Jesus as in this matter is clear and conclusive: 'For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come' (Matth. 11:13, 14). Again we read: 'And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them. Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples