Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 68
and will greatly help them to reach common ground from which should arise an era of tranquillity and peace after which humanity strives ceaselessly, but without success so far. It will be relevant if the present beliefs of the vast majority of the adherents of the three religions on Jesus are briefly summarized here. The Jews totally reject Jesus, share no part of his mission and, indeed, believe that according to the Old Testament his death on the cross was an accursed death. (Deuteronomy 21:23). The Christians, on the other hand, claim that Jesus died on the cross in atonement of the sins of humanity, was resurrected soon thereafter and then ascended to Heaven. The vast majority of orthodox Muslims believe that Jesus was never put upon the cross, ascended bodily to heaven and will come down to earth again to smash the cross and what it stands for and to purify the faith of the believers. In common with other Muslims, the Ahmadiyya Community believes that Jesus was a righteous prophet raised by God among the Israelites. The Ahmadiyya version of the crucifixion is that Jesus did not die on the cross. When he was taken down from the cross he was still alive but only in a state of swoon or unconsciousness. He was removed to the sepulchre by his close friends and followers. Healing ointments and herbs were administered to his wounds and he was restored to health. He then travelled to the East in search of the lost ten tribes of Israel in fulfilment of his Divine mission, lived to a ripe old age and died and was buried in Kashmir. References to his Second Advent are not to be interpreted as his return in his physical body but relate to the advent of one who would come in his power and spirit, 60