The Honour of Prophets — Page 51
51 they have no answer. In fact, at this instance, if one reflects further, it becomes clear that a Christian does not face one but three difficulties in this regard. Firstly, the words of the Messiah that miracles equal to and even greater than those shown by him, would also be shown by his followers, proved to be plainly false. Sec ondly, the non fulfilment of this prophecy also proves that the Messiah did not work any miracle. For if he had manifested any miracles, his followers ought to have pos sessed the power to show the same. Thirdly, we could hypothetically assume that the Messiah did manifest miracles and ignore such sections of the Gospels which state that: “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but none will be given it. ” However, the divin ity of the Messiah cannot be sufficiently established through miracles, which are no greater than those of the earlier prophets, but rather inferior. Now, when no intelligent individual can firmly believe in the divinity of the Messiah, how then can it prevent sin? I have already pointed out that the foremost thing which restrains one from sin is firm faith in the existence of God. In other words, complete certainty in the fact that there is a God who punishes sin. But how can one develop such belief in the Messiah? Would anyone care to tell us what dis tinguishes him from the dead? We and any wise person