The two articles that should be read in conjunction with this one, are the articles: That and a Dollar Will Buy You a Cup of Coffee and the article On Religion and Things.
To make things clearer about what was stated before:
But the rest of those who are dead {and their bodies buried in the ground} will NOT live AGAIN UNTIL the thousand years were {are} finished – which is the kingdom of the Christ rule followed by the 10 or 12 Caliphs from the Quraysh – {then they – their souls –} will be permitted to come back to the Earth}. This is the {other – see verse #7} first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years {be in that blessed state}.
And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be let loose out of his prison – his people according to their stature or status, rank upon rank {to start his corruptions of poison against the peoples left on Earth until the sweet wind comes to liberate the last soul with a mustard seed of faith found within the heart UNTIL there is NOW none left on Earth except {the ignorant peoples who will behave like wild animals}. Revelations (20: 5-7)
So the difficult and somewhat mysterious statements about Jesus (pbh) found in the New Testament, in the main, are about the ‘transformed Jesus’ who arose to his CREATOR to be cleared of the ‘blasphemies’ (as Jesus (pbh) or under any other condition) that have been applied to his soul by the ‘twisters of truth’.
He is the one who will come back to lead the Islamic paradise on Earth which will continue after his death (for all men must die according to the New Testament) for nearly 1,000 years before the ‘corrupters’ are allowed to be ‘brought back again’ to begin their systematic poisonings leading to the eventual swarming of the last of the Gog and Magog’s attempts at overrunning of the Earth. Then comes Judgment Day and the awarding of Paradise and the Hell-Fire.
One example of the ‘hard to understand ‘phrases’ of Jesus (pbh) is ‘no man comes to the Father but by me’ John (14:6). Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the FATHER except through me.” John (14: 6).
With ALLAH’s help, one can sort of sense a type of progression of the soul in stages or growth, one way or the other, even if we know basically nothing about it. First, the ‘goodness of fit’ for the oneness of the universe, which honestly is way above our general capacity to even think about.
The similitude of this is that it would take literally oceans and oceans of words to try and describe ALLAH in a comprehensive way and a TRULY FITTING manner. In other words, it is impossible to do.
However, if one looks at Chapter (Surah) 112 in the Quran, one gets a well-rounded description of HIM. This small (4 lines) Chapter has been called one-third of the Quran. Yet, in truth, it does not completely cover THE ONE GOD ‘in real time’ as to pinning HIM down and compressing HIS GREATNESS into a small ball.
Nevertheless, without unduly insulting the New Testament or making strange delusions, one can understand the New Testament for the benefit of getting to know the truth and welcoming in Islam into the heart by ‘seeing’, with the permission of GOD, the real man behind the mask called Jesus the Christ.
Why so? That is helpful to our brothers and sisters to ‘avoid the traps’ set by the Satan and manipulated by his cohorts into breaking the FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT Commandment of THOU SHALL WORSHIP BUT ONE GOD ONLY.
The truth of the matter also fits the theory of the Presbyters and NOT the Disciples who were responsible for much of the New Testament writings. These writings were based largely on the feeling that, in the near distant future from their own existence, the ‘Prince of this world’, the one who overcame this world, would soon return – perhaps within a few lifetimes of their writings. And they offered up proofs which later generations, as later generations often do, mucked up the importance of the ‘true message’.
This has happened in all religions, by the way, for those who would be truthful. And history DOES SO DECLARE IT for those who need reminders of the truth. For it is important in ‘righteousness’ sake, NOT SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, that people be honest and truthful about the ‘human character’. Hence, the great and glorious importance of returning, WITH UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE, of going back to the basics or originality of the INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDER AND DIRECT HELPERS OF THAT RELIGION.
In Islam that would entail the studying of Prophet Muhammad (pbh), his message, life and the actions of his closest Companions and their followers and leave the ‘dubious’ actions of much later generations. The same of course applies to the ‘life of Jesus’. That is for the ‘responsible’ Christian who requires to get to ‘know’ the real truth behind the various smoke screens set up by the ‘villains, vipers and hypocrites’. In truth, truth can and often does ‘set a man free’!
So for the Christian, the act of getting a ‘Red Letter New Testament’ highlighting just the words of Jesus (pbh) is great because the other ‘stuff’ like Paul’s works and other ‘commentaries’ are NOT that important. Jesus (pbh) was the Master, not Paul. This is NOT a rebuke about Paul but all of the difficult and confusing ideas encountered in the New Testament should be filtered out to lessen any distractions.
ANY CONCENTRATION ON THE FUTURE ACTIONS AND BELIEFS SHOULD CENTER AROUND THE IDEA OF THE TRUTH TO BE DELIVERED UP TO MANKIND AS PROMISED VIA THE ‘SPIRIT OF TRUTH’ – MUHAMMAD (pbh) AS WAS DECLARED BY HIM – JESUS* (pbh) WHO CAME TO DELIVER UP MANKIND TO THE {THAT} TRUTH) AND THE SEARCH FOR THAT SPIRIT SO THAT HE MIGHT COME INTO ONE’S LIFE. THAT IS THE DEFINING MOMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUSLY COMMITTED TO THE TRUTH.
*Hopefully, one can ‘sense’ the CENTRAL concept of this ‘postman’s role’ (he who came to deliver) in ‘delivering souls’** up to the area of that which has been spoken from of old. That is the group known by many names in various eras as far as the peoples could understand in their language in their own time – (THE BELIEVERS BEING) such as in Holy Israel, followers of the Way or best known in this era as Muslims.
**Delivering up souls is a very difficult and mine-laden concept. If one thinks of a ‘porter’ on a train who is responsible for delivering up a service, then one can get an idea of the ‘job’ (that is, Jesus’ job) without making a big and false to-do about things. The porter doesn’t own the train, he did not create the train. He just acts as a principle guide and comfort for the passengers which is a great role by the way.
A train porter is an ‘attendant or steward’ that helps passengers (soul-travelers) on their way with their luggage and makes for them ease and comfort on their journey (truth wins and falsehood perishes*). In some cases they can be ‘saviors’ by saving customer’s time and energy and making less frustrations in their travels.
*Proof that the ages are ‘connected’ to each other – line upon line and precept upon precept (Old Testament) but in what type of ways really should not concern us because our SAVIOR ALLAH is in TOTAL COMMAND and we put our trust in HIM!
This may feel like an odd description for ‘the Christ-soul’ but odd or not it maintains the truer dignity of both the porter and his fellow traveler the passenger. AND SINCE WHEN IS A DUTY AND A SERVICE (TO ONE’S LORD AND ONE’S FELLOW MAN) A DISGRACE! AND THIS THEN FORMS TWO OF THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS THAT MAKE THE RELIGION TRUE AND THAT IS TO WORSHIP ONLY ONE GOD AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS ONE WOULD LOVE HIMSELF.
In the knowledge that a man must be born again of water and the Spirit in order to enter into the Kingdom of GOD as described in my last article, one can further understand this concept when looking at the hadiths concerning the final ‘times’ of human life on Earth. That is when the Trumpet is blown and the heads of the people turn ‘hoary grey’ from fright and the woman drops her ‘motherly load’.
This shows that even during the time when knowledge about the Quran, The Kaaba and Islam (see (research) hadiths on this issue) have been lifted up from the remaining peoples on Earth leaving them in abased ignorance, the pregnant woman will drop ‘her load’ upon hearing the blast.
Her ‘load’ is the fetus she is carrying and dropped and then it is time for the REAL JUDGMENT to come. The so-called load came about from the union of sperm and egg and so people do GET BORN AGAIN.
Those unfortunates who are born at the ‘cutoff’ time are born again of water (the womb) but NOT OF THE SPIRIT! That would be those people whom Prophet Muhammad (pbh) spoke of as to behaving like ‘wild animals’ at that time. Therefore, their Judgment is, in any case, fitting and they are the rejected ones.
For sure, they are the ones who gave birth and assisted in the birthing process AT THAT SPECIFIED TIME BEING TALKED ABOUT. They are of that group or type who remained behind when ALLAH sent that sweet wind to take out any soul with just a mustard seed worth of faith in it while leaving the ‘trash’ behind. ALLAH ALONE KNOWS BEST!
But the rest of those who are dead {and their bodies buried in the ground} will NOT live AGAIN UNTIL the thousand years were {are} finished – which is the kingdom of the Christ rule followed by the 10 or 12 Caliphs from the Quraysh – {then they – their souls –} will be permitted to come back to the Earth}. This is the {other – see verse #7} first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years {be in that blessed state}.
And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be let loose out of his prison – his people according to their stature or status, rank upon rank {to start his corruptions of poison against the peoples left on Earth until the sweet wind comes to liberate the last soul with a mustard seed of faith found within the heart UNTIL there is NOW none left on Earth except {the ignorant peoples who will behave like wild animals}. Revelations (20: 5-7)
Just like the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, the shortest way to the truth is through understanding the connectivity between religions and the destructiveness of not caring or listening to reality.
Without all the foofaraw thrown up by the clever dodgers of facts and other ‘tricksters’, it is a simple, Oh! So simple a fact that all the real religions are one when one gets right down to the ‘meat’ of the importance of the message.
Without making things super complicated, if I get a telltale sign from a testament that I ‘claim’ to love telling me about a future revelation to come, future direction to apply myself in or a future document for clarity of concepts, knowing full well that time and corruption and language have made changes, and will eventually wreak havoc with what I am holding dear and what I am already believing in, then, being a logical person and one who desires TRUTH OVER DOGMA, I will seek out the new pathway in order to refresh my very own soul.
Or I can be stubborn and ‘stick to my guns’ and hope I can duck my responsibilities to my soul and try to hide myself from my CREATOR because in reality of my actions, HE doesn’t really matter so much. Why? Because I can hold in my mind, at least, the notion that I can control HIM when the time comes.
What utter and useless bilge that is as well as fuel for the Fire! No responsible GOD-FEARING person could ever think that way but many of the unthinking, careless individuals unfortunately do.
It is time to take the proverbial bull by the horns and make a commitment. Specifically speaking, the commitment concerns the Abrahamic Faiths and the Trust one will put in his CREATOR LORD or not. Logically speaking there are only two religions that need be questioned as to their ‘future guideposts’: Judaism and Christianity but Islam, in all fairness, must be questioned also. ***
*** The ‘trick’ that many people use to avoid getting their souls spiritually wet in the ‘waters of salvation’ is to ‘ramble on and on and on and on’ about this or that and that or this until the question of ‘real faith’ has been snowed over in a complexity of unrelated questions and planed dodges.
To avoid this, one can concentrate on three or less items in the religions gone by and stay focused on that topic and its perceived meanings only. That tends to limit the scope of things. That is called staying on point. One can best do this by discussing one verse and going into it in depth WITHOUT going on to another topic. Trying to leave that one topic is like the fox declaring to the hounds, “catch me if you can”.
For Judaism, the simple truth in the simplest way is to put only a few Old Testament verses on the table. For Christianity there are also several verses to take a close hard look at.
The Old Testament:
- Genesis (49: 10) and Zephaniah (3: 9-10)
The New Testament:
- John (16: 7-15) and Acts (3: 22-24)
When these verses are discussed as to the knowledge presented in here with the use of anything including history, related verses, science of linguistics or any other pertinent ‘facts’, it will be shown that the other religions will only be able to present ‘skimpy and many times illogical details’ as compared to what a well-rehearsed Islamic presenter can accomplish.
While one can always argue that the Moon is made of green cheese or that the world is flat (as some people do), or that climate change is a hoax, the vast majority of those who can logically weigh up the points of connection will see that one side will inevitably bring a much stronger case for their points. Hence, its game over in front of truthful individuals!
It is a pressing issue because time is not forever and people, who have a backbone, need a chance to decide if the proverbial ‘buck’ stops here! A close and honest forthright look that is based on a brave commitment to truth with courage and fortitude is needed here. Whatever one thinks about the Holy Books, they are definitely not comic books!
We Muslims accept the Divine Decree as a fact and although we have no real idea about its mysterious details, we do have the faith that ALLAH is not wanting in ruling HIS universe through the formation of HIS perfect plan, desire and harmonious depth. For once HE has commanded a thing, HIS WORD does not change so HE is indeed AL-MATEEN – The Firm One Who is Steadfast in HIS Decrees as HE is the Most Strong and none can alter HIS Designs.
Everything is done for a purpose, a perfect purpose and this reasoning has no cracks or deficits in it. So, when one is complaining about the general malaise of the times we are in, the answer is as simple as saying that in the end all things will be balanced out and so finely tuned that ‘the believing’ man will be so overcome and amazed at his CREATOR LORD as to praise HIM at every turn.
Muslims are those who submit to this recognition. They don’t quit in trying to make the world better but they acknowledge the TOTAL DOMINANCE of their CREATOR LORD and the PERFECTION by which HE accomplishes HIS WILL.
So, nearing the ‘end times’ or end of this age, some of the so-called mysteries, for example, of Jesus the son of Mary (pbh) may have been presented but it was not for the purpose of creating Muslim awareness. It was for those who would be ‘made’ to see, that ISLAM is the real choice of those who call themselves ‘believers’.
This world is like a beautiful charmer that gets the soul-mind all agog. It is an outstanding world in that many times what is ‘up’ is in reality ‘down’. The tether that will hold and bind us as humans might be the understanding of our own faith. Many times, things are not what they appear to be.
Without religious understanding, our immediate senses are drawn to the alluring falsehoods that surrounds each of us. The need to be away from GOD and rejoice and relish in the trap of the world’s grasp sometimes called the ‘rat race’ of worldly prowess in how to get ahead in this life is quite strong and fogs our ability to think.
Even our corrupted minds tell us to advance materially to show one’s human ability to be an applauded success ringing out for apparent all time sake. Not for all time though because death takes away the cocky swagger of one being held in one’s own mind and in societies standards as one who was ‘truly successful’.
One should not be offended, however, by a touch of reality that doesn’t turn to dust:
It is HE {ALLAH} Who has sent HIS Messenger {Muhammad} with GUIDANCE and THE RELIGION OF TRUTH to make it SUPERIOR over ALL religions even though the Mushrikun {polytheists and idolaters} be adverse to it. Q (9:33)
This Guidance and Religion of Truth is an uplifting process, if used correctly that can be used to shake the fantasies of the world or in modern parlance to sweep out the cobwebs from our corrupted thoughts which we all have to a greater or lesser degree.
And these ‘fantasy imaginations’ have consequences even for those who believe not to mention for those who don’t believe. The consequences are in degrees or stature of the true merits of the human being when put under judgment:
And indeed some who are last {in the eyes of the world} will be first {in timeless glory and stature in the Hereafter}, and some who are first {in the eyes of the world} will be last {and not counted as anything special or important and even in danger of losing salvation}. Luke (13: 30)
This is just mentioned as a reminder to put some time into the thought that TRUTH does matter much, much more than the flattering of the ego.
True, we have in these articles been introduced to some fantastic meanings behind some of Jesus’ supposed sayings along with Old Testament prophecy concerning him. That, in effect, gives us the surety that Jesus (pbh) is no more than a human being of excellent worth who becomes a stanch supporter of his fellow brother Prophet – Prophet Muhammad (pbh).
We can also understand why this wonderful soul is questioned in front of mankind on the Last Day of Judgment as is recorded in the Quran. You didn’t really think that ALLAH was unmindful of HIS creations did you?
That is another reason why every human should, logically at least, give up the ghost of pretense and surrender their will to ALLAH in Islam. But alas, the dye has been cast although we as ‘frail’ human beings can’t rightfully judge the future as to who, what, where, when and why.
As was stated before, the world is entering an apparent new phase which is unnerving and pretentious. It is a world becoming more and more fractious and especially ‘spiritually’ upsetting.
A hundred years ago it would have been rare and scandalous for a child to strike his or her parents. Today, not so much. If we are reminded that the human being is a spirit by nature we can try and understand the ‘horrors’ of the Gog and Magog.
The Gog and Magog or the ‘unprincipled people’ are the bad souls that have gone rotten. One saying by Prophet Muhammad (pbh) has them being numbered as 99 out of 100 when it comes time for Judgment.
If one were to follow ‘religious’ reminders (Old Testament, New Testament, approved Hadith materials and Quran) of this group, one could get a short history of their prevalence and destructiveness.
The first knowledge of that group occurred thousands and thousands of years ago during the time of Zhul Qarnain (Quran). Next, they came out in the 13th Century and conquered much of the known world (predicted by Prophet Muhammad pbh). Their next rambling appearance will be in the time when Jesus (pbh) returns (hadiths). Finally, the Gog and Magog’ will appear at the ‘end of time’ when they will pour forth from every hill just before the Trumpet is blown (compiled from the Quran, Hadiths and New Testament).
O ALLAH I consult YOU for YOUR KNOWLEDGE. I seek power from YOU and I ask YOU for YOUR Great Bounties. You are the ABLE and I am not. YOU know but I do not for YOU are the KNOWER of things UNSEEN. (Bukhari)