The Mahdi (“the Guided One”) is a messianic figure in Islamic eschatology, believed to be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad who will appear at the End of Times to rid the world of tyranny, evil, and injustice. He will establish a just, unified world before the Day of Judgment.

In more than 15 Ahadith (Islamic Traditions) found in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari, Sunnan of Imam Abu Dawwud, Jamii of Imam Tirmidhi and others, Prophet Muhammad said that Islam has a specific lifespan on earth, These Ahadith state that Allah gave Islam 1500 years; and we are now in the years of the 1440’s.

A descendant of Abu Sufyan will emerge before Imam Mahdi from the depths of Damascus (or Iran). The Ahadith regarding the Sufyani specify that he is a tyrant who will spread corruption and mischief on the earth before Imam Mahdi. Sufyan will kill children (Demonstrators) and rip out the bellies of women (for singing) as during the Iranian Revolution, Khomeini said: “…music is like a drug, whoever acquires the habit can no longer devote himself to important activities. We must completely eliminate it.”

Human society changed more rapidly, violently and fundamentally in the last century of the second millennium than ever before in history. Doctors saved the lives of millions. Dictators sacrificed the lives of millions. Populations exploded and birthrates declined. Technology produced both worldwide prosperity and pollution at the same time.

Knowing all this, should we look upon the first century of the third millennium with optimistic hope or with fatalistic trepidation? Are the world and our society heading towards a wonder-filled new age, or toward a doomsday; or are both occurring concurrently because breakdown is always a prelude to breakthrough?

Many who believe in the Biblical vision of a Messianic Age use the insights of the Prophets of Israel to provide guidance in understanding the social, economic, scientific and cultural upheavals sweeping society. Usually it is the dramatic dangers of the pre-Messianic tribulation that are emphasized. I will focus on the positive signs developing throughout the world that accord with the Messianic vision of the Biblical Prophets.

In most religious traditions, redemption is defined only in terms of individual enlightenment or personal salvation. However, the Biblical Prophets of Israel conceived redemption as a transformation of human society that would occur through the catalyst of the transformation of the Jewish community. This transformation, which will take place in this world at some future time, is called the Messianic Age.

The transition to the Messianic Age is called the birth pangs of the Messiah. The birth of a redeemed Messianic world may be the result of an easy or difficult labor. If everyone would simply live according to the moral teachings of his or her religious tradition, we would ourselves bring about the Messianic Age.

But, if we will not do it........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)