“There are two
verses in the Qur'an that Muslims believe indicate the second coming
of Jesus: "And there is none of the People of the Book but must
believe in him before is death; and on the Day of Judgement he will
be a witness against them" (Surah 4:159). "And (Jesus)
shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgement):
Therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: This is
a Straight Way" (Surah 43:61).
According to the first verse,
all the Ahl-e-Kitab (Jews and Christians), will believe in
Jesus before his death. Muslim commentators state that the Arabic leuaminanna
(must believe) refers to an event in the future. This they believe
could only be possible should Jesus come again and live in this
world till he dies. The second verse shows that Jesus is the sign of
the Last Hour. So it is argued, 'How can he be a sign for Doomsday
if he doesn't appear sometimes before it?'
Those who do believe Jesus
will come again, see him in a subordinate role to that of the
Prophet of Islam. Jesus will be under a Muslim Amir, leader, showing
his complete adherence to Islam. Some Ahadith indicate that on his
arrival Jesus will kill an impostor Messiah (i.e. the antichrist).
He will live for forty years during which he will marry, have
children, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage). After his death, he
will be buried beside the grave of the Prophet Muhammad (Wali
ad-Din, Miskat Al-Masabih, (tr. James Robson), Vol.II, p.1159; Sahih
Muslim, Vol.1, p.92).
Most Muslims believe that
Jesus descent from heaven will be accomplished by resting his hands
on the wings of two angels. He will descend onto the white minaret,
situated in the eastern part of Damascus. He will invite the whole
world to be Muslim including Christians and Jews. The one eyed
antichrist, accompanied by seventy thousand Jews, will be killed by
Jesus, at the place called Lod. The Jews will be badly defeated.
Jesus will break the cross, annihilate swine and will end all wars
and jizya (poll tax). His position will be like that of a
judge. During this period there will be an abundance of all sorts of
goods. Muslims will dominate the world and there will be an end of
all religions except Islam (Mawdudi, A.A, Finality of Prophethood,
pp. 58-61).
Some groups like the Ahmadiyya
and the Bahai believe that their founders were the second coming of
Christ. Other groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus
came back at the turn of this century and took the elect with him.
However, the Bible reveals that his second coming will not be in
secret. When the apostles saw Jesus ascending into heaven, the
angels told them: "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you
into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go
into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
Muslim friends have various
ideas about the physical descent of Jesus. Some say he will land on
the Ka'ba, others claim he will land on the minaret of the Umayyad
mosque in Damascus, yet others think he will descend in Jerusalem.
Whether coming to Jerusalem, Damascus or Mecca, one has to think
carefully where he is coming from. If he is coming from heaven, then
this coming will not be an ordinary one, with an ordinary body like
ours. The Bible declares that he is coming in heavenly splendour. He
will come in all his glory and power (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Jesus
said: "as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in
the west", so will be his coming (Matthew 24:27). In simple
words, his coming will be visible to everyone. His first coming took
place in obscurity, but his second coming will be universally
visible. His coming will be so dramatic, no-one will fail to
recognise him. (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:9,11).
Christians are fortunate to
find a major part of the New Testament directly concerned with
Christ's second coming. Jesus and his return as Judge is one of he
major themes. Nevertheless, there is no mention of him coming as an
ordinary being, nor is there the least suggestion that he will
marry, die, and be buried. The Scriptures indicate that when he
comes, his people both living and the dead will be raised or changed
and meet him in the air and the earth will be destroyed (1
Thessalonians 4 :15 - 17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 2 Peter 3:10).
On many occasions Jesus said
that he came down from heaven and that he would come again (John
3:13; 8:23; 14:2-3,18-19; 16:28; Matthew 25:31-32; 26:64). This
second coming is to be different from the first , his coming will be
as the Mighty Judge and conquering King (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
The reassuring news and the final reminder is found in the last
chapter of Revelation, the last book of the Bible: "Behold, I
am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone
according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12).
At his first coming Jesus
became like us in every respect, to deliver us from the power of
Satan (John 1:18; Hebrews 2:14-17). He came to conquer sin and rise
from the dead to gain victory and triumph. At his second coming, we
are going to see him as he really is (1John 3:2).
The mission that Jesus had
left to his Church to perform and proclaim his Gospel to the world
will terminate at his second coming. He will uproot evil and
enthrone righteousness for ever. He will establish eternal peace.
Although it is right to campaign for social justice and peace to
improve society, the Bible makes it clear that we will never be able
to perfect it. Only Christ at his second coming will fulfil it.
The Bible speaks clearly about
the unexpectedness of his return. About the day of his return, Jesus
advised us all not to speculate because no one knows the date but
God (Mark 13:32). All that we have to do is to be ready and prepared
for his return - at any time. Jesus said that he would come when
people did not expect him. Critics consider the idea of Jesus'
second coming as naive: "Where is this coming he promised? Ever
since our fathers died everything goes on as it has since the
beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:4).
Jesus has already
answered such ridicule. He said his coming would be as unexpected as
the flood in the time of Noah (Matthew 24:37-41). People were told
about it but they did not believe it. Then it arrived and it was too
late. Today everyone has the opportunity to believe in Christ now
and act as he has commanded (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:37-38). At his
arrival this chance will have been withdrawn; it will be too late.”
http://islam.itl.org.uk/Jesus/second.htm