Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 124
124 goes on to identify the celestial signs that will mark the great event; the Biblical signs marking this event are the darkening of the sun, the moon failing to give its light and stars falling from the heavens. Coincidently, the Bible records that similar celestial signs also marked Jesus’ first advent. The Bible further states unequivocally that at the time, the sign of the Son of Man (not the son of man) will appear. It then makes an extremely significant prophecy that when the sign of the son of man will appear all nations of the earth will mourn. The statement that “all tribes of the earth will mourn” includes all groups of people and does not distinguish between geographical, cultural and ethnic boundaries. This prophecy therefore makes, no exception for any group that existed before Jesus' second advent. This prophecy raises a very serious question: Why should all nations mourn at Jesus' second coming? If the Christians have accepted Jesus in the light of his teachings, then they should be happy and be celebrating this unique event. Likewise, if any other group has recognized Jesus in his true capacity, they should be happy at his much-awaited second advent. Hence neither Jews, nor Christians nor Muslims or any other group for that matter will be exempt from this mourning. The statement therefore means that all nations or groups or tribes living on this earth at the time of Jesus' second advent would have failed to follow his proper teachings. His true message would thus have been lost. Consequently, when he would present the facts to the world after his second coming, the world would realize their mistake and mourn at their folly. Only the people that will recognize this unique event and accept Jesus in the light of his teachings and will group around him will be happy at this event. Thus the blessed group will be the one that Jesus will himself form after his second spiritual advent. The Quran also describes the solar and lunar eclipses as important signs of the latter days: 39 "He asks, "When is the Day of the Awakening?" But when the sight is dazzled and the moon is eclipsed and the sun and the moon are in conjunction". The same concept is detailed in the traditions of the Holy Prophet: 40 As reported by Muhammad bin Ali, the advent of our Mahdi will be marked by two important signs. These signs have never appeared before, not since the creation of the Heaven and Earth. One is the eclipse of the moon on the first of the Ramadan, and the other is the eclipse of the sun in the middle of Ramadan, and these two signs have not appeared to mark an event since the creation of the Heaven and Earth. Islamic traditions and literature record numerous additional signs foretelling the advent of the Promised Mahdi/Messiah. A summary of these signs follows: 1. A Restorer ("Mujaddid") will be raised at the head of every century. 41 2. The Promised Messiah will be called "Prophet of God," Nabiyullah. 42 3. The Mahdi ("Guide") and the Messiah ("Chosen One") will be the one and same person. 43 4. The second advent of Jesus will be in the person of an Imam (religious leader) from amongst the Muslims. 44