Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 99
99 The heaven will bear witness against the lies of those who denied his being a true prophet, for example, the Jews; and who, on the other hand, regarded him, because of his crucifixion, as a man accursed. The fact of his not having suffered death on the Cross and therefore of his not being accursed would be clearly established. At that time, all the nations of the earth, who had exaggerated or detracted from his true status would become greatly ashamed of their error; that, in the same age, when this fact would be established, people would see Jesus' metaphorical descent to the earth, (second coming) like that of Elijah in John the Baptist, who Jesus himself affirmed. In those very days the Promised Messiah, who would come in the power and spirit of Jesus, would appear with all the lustrous signs, and heavenly support and with the power and glory, which would be recognized. The statement that all the tribes of the earth would mourn, suggests that all those tribes to whom the description underlying the word 'nation' applies would mourn on that day. There are no exceptions based on geographical, cultural or religious considerations. The verse unequivocally implicates all nations. The Christians should especially follow this prophecy with great attention because they regard themselves as the forgiven group. Whereas, Jesus himself denies this belief; he does not exempt any group living on earth from mourning. Thus, in accordance with this verse, they are included among the mourners. The verse clearly says that when the sign of Jesus would appear in heaven all the nations inhabiting the earth would mourn. So the group that believes otherwise, denies Jesus. 104 The only group that would be exempted from this mourning would be the one that recognizes the Divine signs of Jesus' second coming and accepts him. This group would be formed by the Messiah himself and would not exist prior to his second advent. Yet another important piece of evidence contained in the Bible points to the denial of Jesus' death by crucifixion and his ascension to heaven. This incident is reported in the Gospel of Matthew which the Christians use as proof of Jesus' divinity. 99 And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his (viz. Jesus') resurrection and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. On discussing this prophecy further, Christians either concede the statement as metaphorical and having no practical significance or accept it as an act of blind faith. Some, however, believe in its literal truth and consider it as an integral part of their faith. They cannot prove either historically or logically that the event actually took place. The historical and logical inaccuracy of the above event, as reported, is established without any effort. If this event happened as mentioned in the Gospel, namely, that after Jesus' resurrection, numerous saints came out of the graves and appeared alive to many, then the Day of judgment would have been enacted in this very world and the accuracy of this event would not have been subjected to this discussion. Hence, the greatest Divine secret, which is the basis for the test of faith and sincerity, would have been made manifest to all. Faith would not have been faith any longer, as the nature of the next world would have become a patent fact to all believers and deniers alike. The next world would have become as obvious as the existence of the moon, the sun, and the alternation of day and night. In that case, faith would not have been of any value and it would not have merited any kind of reward.