Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 27
'27 The Jews', the Christians', the Hindoos', and the Muslims' Expectations Concern- ing the coming- of the World Teacher. THE ADVENT OF THE FIRST MESSIAH. The prophecies on which the Jews based their Messianic hopes were to be found in their -sacred books believed by them, as also by the Christian, to be the Word of God. The most important sign by which the true Messiah was to be distinguish- ed from the false claimants, was the descent of Elijah the prophet from heaven before him. The Jews believed on the authority of their sacred books that Elijah had been taken up to heaven alive and that he would descend from that celestial resting place before the advent of the Messiah. They had, therefore not the least fear that they would not be able to recognise the Messiah at his advent. There was a sure sign in their hands by which he was to be recognised and there was not the least possibility of their missing the welcome opportunity. Such a supernatural event as the descent of One of the most revered prophets from heaven could not pass unnoticed. ID was by means of such a striking miracle thab advent of the Messiah, who was to be their great deliverer, was to be announced to them. Such was the prophecy but mark its fulfilment. A child was born in the house of Zaeharias and was named John. He was a righteous man and began to preach after the fashion of the Hebrew prophets. Jesus received baptism at his hands confessing his sins and declared himself as the Messiah- The objection was naturally raised that he could not be the true Messiah as his advent was not heralded by the miraculous appearance of Elijah. In answer to