Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 4
4 which ran counter to Divine attributes came to be incorporated into it. . This is followed by references to the Messiah (peace be on him) prefaced with a mention of Zacharia (peace be on him). . For, the principal sign of the Messiah (peace be on him) that had found currency among the Jews was the descent of Elijah from heavens which was to precede the appearance of the. Messiah (Malachi, Verse 5 Chap. IV). Accordingly, this was the most important question that was raised before the. Messiah after his advent. The New Testament has, therefore, taken unusual pains to find an answer to it and says in this connection that John was Elijah (Matthew, 11:15;17:12 and. Marks, 9:13) and that Elijah was not to come down from heavens but was to be born of a woman (Matthew, 19:12,. Luke, 7:28). . The mention of Elijah precedes the references to the. Messiah (peace be on him), beginning with his mother instead of with his claim. For, with the irth of the Messiah, the initiation of the Muhammadan term is closely interlaced. Its details are that Abraham (peace be on him) had two sons,. Ishmael and Isaac (peace be on them) born to his two wives. . Ishmael was his first-born and Isaac was his second child. . Abraham (peace be on him) had Divine promise in respect of both about Ishmael as mentioned in Genesis (16:10-12; 17:8-14; 17:18; 17:20; 21:13 and 21:17-21) and about. Isaac as mentioned in Genesis (17:19 and 17:21). . Again, another prophecy about both the brothers is to be found in Genesis, Ch. 22:17-18. Read together with Genesis. Ch. 17:21, these references make it clear that the Abrahamic dispensation was to find expression through Isaac to begin.