The World's Struggle Concerning One God!

.....Great opposition has always existed among the major faiths of Islam, Judaism and traditional Christianity. Oddly enough, all of them sprang from the same roots.

.....Today, as in times past, great conflict exists between Judaism and Islam even though both claim to worship the God of Abraham. Most of these people also claim Abraham as their forefather. Much conflict exists between Judaism and traditional Christianity, yet both claim to worship the same God.

.....Why such confusion? If there is one God, then all of them cannot be right. Who is right? As we go along, you will begin to see why there has been so much religious confusion and disagreement.

.....Much of the Islamic world is looking for a leader to come and deliver them from the oppression of the outside world, especially the United States and her allies—Israel in particular.

.....A prophesied “Mahdi” is to return to restore justice to the world. This leader is to carry the name of Muhammad as part of his own, but he will not be as great as Muhammad. This Mahdi is to appear at a time of severe oppression, unite the Muslims, and bring peace and justice to the world. Some Muslims believe this Mahdi, along with the Prophet Jesus, who is also to appear at the end of time, will lead believers to victory over the infidels.

.....Another irony, of far greater significance and interest, is one that also sheds light on this end-time. It comes from the conflicting teaching of the Jewish faith with that of traditional Christianity concerning the Biblical teaching of a Messiah.

.....The Jewish people have long believed that a Messiah would come to deliver their people and establish a new kingdom that will reign on this earth. Although this belief has varied through time, it has basically remained the same. Some of this will be addressed more fully as we continue.

.....Today, there are some differences among Jewish teachings concerning this subject.

.....The Reformed Jewish teaching believes in a Utopian Age, sometimes called the “Messianic Age,” instead of an actual Messiah.

.....Jewish belief is very similar to that of the Orthodox in that the Messiah is believed to be a human being, but not divine. They believe he will restore the Jewish kingdom and extend his righteous rule over all the earth, executing judgment and
righting all wrongs.

.....Through time, the Jewish people have longed for this prophesied Messiah to come. Today, many still look for his coming. Judaism does not accept that the Jesus of the New Testament is that Messiah, as those in traditional Christianity profess.

.....Traditional Christianity believes that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament but His purpose is different than that spoken of in the Old Testament concerning establishing a kingdom. Judaism and traditional Christianity believe part of the Bible story, but they can’t reconcile their differences. Is there an answer?

.....Yes! It is quite ironic that these faiths can’t put it together, for in doing so, they would learn from each other. Rather than rely on what has been handed down as a matter of traditional belief among each group from generation to generation, it is wise to focus on what the Bible has to say on the subject. The Bible tells a story that is plain and straightforward, but religious paradigms have imprisoned people in traditional teachings. As a result, their minds are closed; they are blind to the plain truth as it is written. By looking at two prophecies in the Old Testament, regarding a Messiah, it will become clear why Jews and Christians interpret these verses differently. Both groups are in error, albeit each group has part of the story. Each group holds a vital key that the other needs.

.....Only when these two groups are able to acknowledge their misinterpretation will they be able to reconcile their differences. Prophecies say they will reconcile. These same prophecies also tell when they will do it.
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