By: Gen. Jim
Let’s continue on with our examination of Jesus and Muhammad, Christianity and Islam. Today we’re going to examine the prophet-ship of both Jesus the Christ and Muhammad the man.
Isa Jan Khan of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Canada) has written in his (small) book: “One has to use common sense to put the meaning of the word “world” in perspective. It cannot be taken to mean the whole planet earth, because in those ancient times (ref. to Jesus’ day), the world was not so “small” as it is now, thanks to communications technology. People traveled on donkeys, camels and oxen. It took weeks and months to travel from one country to another. How could Jesus be known to the whole world?” (He quotes John 1:10 beforehand) What this Muslim author is doing is citing several Bible verses in order to refute Jesus’ claim of “World Savior”. But, as we all know, words always have several meanings depending on context and content. We also know that certain words can be used in an absolute sense and in a restricted sense. We would be foolish to believe that “world” in John 3:16 is used, as this Muslim author wants us to believe, in a restricted sense, limited to the nation of Israel ONLY!! Sure, there was the “world” of Judaism and the “world” of Islam (which came 600 years after Jesus died and was resurrected and set in as “World” Prophet, and “World” Savior), but there was also much more.
Before I get to today’s lesson, let me first show you how Islam thinks, our above mentioned author in particular. He cites 6 verses with the word “world” in them. I’ll deal with the first: “The world is gone after Him” -John 12:19. The Greek word is κόσμος (kosmos): “primarily order, arrangement, the earth in contrast with heaven, the human race, mankind,” etc. If we merely use the human race/mankind, we see no problem. There are several other words used for world also: aiōn, and oikoumenē (the last word is what our author uses, which means the whole inhabited world, etc.; but the verse he cites uses kosmos).
He goes on record as to say: “The Bible also has clarified that the ‘world’ does not mean the whole geographical world”. Really? This Muslim needs to study the words used more carefully. As word dictionaries tell us that two words can express the same idea, but must be distinguished apart. It is totally silly to say that the word “world” has only ONE meaning (according to Muslim thought here!) Realistically, the “world” can mean, in a wide or narrow sense, its inhabitants, literally or figuratively.
The crux of this Muslim’s argument is that Jesus was ONLY sent to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24) as we saw in lesson one. The point here, John 12:19, is that the “world” was again the “Jewish world”. This in turn brings us to his argument: “who was the prophet God chose for the whole world?”
Let’s examine this idea in more detail. Following are the writings of the above mentioned Mr. Khan, whose goal is to convince us that Jesus was prophesying the eventual coming of Muhammad:
————————–
PROPHECIES ABOUT THE ADVENT OF ANOTHER PROPHET
“From the study of the Bible, it is quite obvious that the teachings of Jesus Christ were meant only for the Children of Israel and not others. Does the Bible tell us anything about the teaching which was destined by God for the whole world? In fact it is identified by Jesus Christ himself. He said:
1. “I tell you the truth it is for our good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me, in regard to righteousness, because I am going to my Father, where you can see me no longer, and in regard to judgment, because the Prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:7,10)
2. “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you to all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me. (John 16:12)
3. “Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to other nations bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43)
4. “And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16)
5. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, he shall testify of me.” (John 15:26)
6. “A sharp long sword, that he strikes the nation with it, and he will shepherd them with rod of iron. (Rev. 19:15)
7. “And the idols will totally disappear.” (Isaiah 2:18)
8. “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers (Ishmael). I will put my word in his mouth and he will tell them everything I command him.” (Deut. 18:18)
The above prophecies clearly signify the coming of the Holy Founder of Islam, Master Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him). All the prophetic indications mentioned in these prophecies for his recognition are fully applicable to him. One of these prophetic indications is, “he shall glorify me”, and it has been fulfilled by the Holy Quran which has glorified Jesus in clear terms. The Holy Quran states:
1. “I will exalt thee to Myself and clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve and will place those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the day of Resurrection.” (3:56)
2. “ We gave manifest signs to Jesus and strengthened him with the spirit of holiness.” (2:88)
3. “His name shall be Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and in the next and of those who are granted nearness to God.” (3:46)
These are but a few instances of glorification for illustration, otherwise the Holy Quran is full of such ennobling references to Jesus and this is why we love Jesus very much.
The second indication is, “He would not speak on his own, whatever he hears, he will tell the world.” (John 16:14). This has been fulfilled in the person of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be on him). He did not study in any school. He could not read or write. At the age of 40 he began to receive revelation from God and these revelations were dictated by him to those of his believers who knew how to write. The revelations continued for 23 years. All these revelations which were committed to writing by the scribes, as they were revealed, were subsequently compiled into a systematic arrangement which came to be known as Quran. It is a complete book of law, a guidance for the whole mankind. (81:27). It is the word of God from beginning to the end, and it has fulfilled and it has fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus, regarding his followers: “God would take His kingdom from his followers and would give it to other nation who bring its fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43)
So the kingdom of God, that means teachings of God, was handed over to another nation called Muslims who spread this divine teaching throughout the world.
It is also prophesied, “ A sharp long sword, that he strikes the nations with it, and He will rule over them with a rod of iron.” (Rev.19:15). This prophecy has also been fulfilled by the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.”
————————–
I don’t know what to do, laugh or cry! This is the most pathetic thing I’ve read (well, almost. Islam’s (false) prophet did say things worse!)
WHY??
I ask, why was Muhammad chosen to take God’s teachings to the world and not Jesus? Jesus was in Palestine (Israel) and Muhammad in Saudi Arabia (mostly in Mecca and Medina.) Our Muslim author scorns the idea of travel in Jesus’ day – “donkeys, camels and oxen” – but was travel any faster in Muhammad’s day? NO! Did the (false) prophet use a telephone, telegraph, internet to spread Islam? HA! Neither the Quran nor the Hadith were put together in his day; but the Old Testament was well circulated and preachers/teachers/disciples/prophets etc. took Jesus’ message to many nations BEFORE Islam was ever thought about. Why do you read so many things in the Quran lifted right out of our Holy Bible? (See my many articles proving all this).
JOHN 16:7-10
Let’s take the Jn 16:7-10 verses to start with. This Muslim author believes that these verses Jesus spoke was about Muhammad. Can you believe that? Anyone that halfway reads the Quran /Hadith (volumes) KNOWS that Muhammad was a SINNER (see my articles proving this in many places). Also, their books, in many places, tell us that Jesus was a righteous/just/holy/SINLESS man. You tell me, which one is able to convict of sin?
He cites Jn 16:12 (Spirit of Truth), 14:16 (Comforter); 15:26 (comforter) as proof that these verses speak of Muhammad – the murderer, child molester, fraud, liar, false prophet, slave owner, terrorizer etc. (all these can be proved in their books!).
Khan goes on to state: “All these revelations which were committed to writing by the scribes, as they were revealed, were subsequently compiled into a systematic arrangement which came to be known as Quran”. Well, for your information, the Quran tells us in several places that God revealed the “truth” to the “people of the Book”, meaning the Jews and Christians. The (false) prophet acknowledges this and even tells his disciples to ask the “people of the Book” if they need wisdom or help. Besides this, their books speak of several ways the (false) prophet of Islam received his “revelations”. If I can be honest, he lifted much from our Holy Bible and put on Arabic twist to Scriptures (see my other articles on this subject).
To cut this article short I offer our 46 page booklet we put together several years ago called Jesus or Muhammad, the Bible or the Quran?
BACK TO PROPHET-SHIP
In the said booklet, on pages 12-29, I have an article by Fav’s Al-Qayrawane called, Is Muhammad the Promised Parakletos? (Comforter). This scholar cites all those Khan cites. I promise you, you will not be bored with this study. It unashamedly blows Khan’s article to pieces!! Many Muslims “allege” that the NT has fore told the coming of Muhammad. They claim that the (Gk) Parakletos, who is mentioned in the Gospel of John, is the person of Muhammad. They constantly refer the reader to the following Bible verses: John 14: 15-17; 25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7.
For those of you who deal with Islam must know the truth about who was/is God’s end time prophet. I can ASSURE you, it is not Muhammad.
Al Qayrawani shows us that the term “periklutos” is an adjective and it has never been used as a proper noun as Muslims Arabicized it and “alleged” that it refers to the founder of Islam. It is not a proper noun for Ahmad or Muhammad or Muhmud but a mere adjective used with a noun such as : a famous man, a well-known person, or a man with highly praised qualities. Even if it is really used as a proper noun, “Ahmad” cannot be “Muhammad”. If you summoned Ahmad to you, the one who would respond to your call will be Ahmad, not Muhammad, though both names are derived from the same root. So, the Arabiczation of the term “periklutos” instead of the original Biblical term “Parakletos” is an intrusion on the language aiming in particular at authenticating the prophethood of Muhammad on the basis of these claims. The false assumption that “Ahmad” is the same as “Muhammad” is an act of distortion (and fraud!) which lacks any linguistic justification. Neither does it have any root in the term “parakletos”, which Jesus Christ used in His various references to the Holy Spirit (or Ghost).
Muslim scholar Ibn Taymiyya (1262-1328 a.d.) Tells us how the name “Ahmad – originated (see his book Hidayat Al-Hayara, sect. 4 of vol. 2, p. 16). His argument isn’t very convincing. He was not the only one who strived to explicate the origin of the name “Ahmad” instead of “Muhammad” in the Quran (see the said article by Faris Al-Qayrawani).
MUHAMMAD IN THE BIBLE?
Get serious! All the OT prophecies were about Jesus. Over and over again, Jesus appealed to the OT prophecies to substantiate His claims as Messiah. Gal 4:4 speaks about God sending His Son.
In Luke 24:27 says, “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He (Jesus) expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself”. The risen Christ anticipates the OT apologetic of the early ekklesia. In v.44 Jesus said, “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
In lesson one I showed you that the prophets foretold of Jesus’ coming… to be the Savior of the WHOLE WORLD, not merely for the Jews only as our misinformed Muslim claims. Jesus said in John 5:46 that Moses wrote of Him. He also said that “Abraham rejoiced to see My day” – John 8:56. Search out all this for yourselves. Be convinced that Jesus IS the End Time Prophet and Savior, not Muhammad.
N.T. AUTHORS
The apostles and NT writers constantly appealed to fulfilled prophecy about Jesus as Son of God, Savior of the World, Messiah, etc. (see Acts 3:18; 17:2,3; 1 Cor. 15:3,4).
Bible scholars point out that the OT lists 60 major messianic prophecies and around 270 ramifications that were fulfilled in Jesus the Lord. The first prophecy about Christ was Genesis 3:15 where Jesus was “born of the seed of a woman”, not man! His Messiahship would be a miracle, unlike Muhammad who was born of the seed of a man.
Isaiah 7:14 says that this Prophet will be born of a virgin- a natural birth of unnatural conception. Isa. 8:14 tells us that Jesus’ own people – the Jews- will reject Him (although it was the Jews that became the first disciples of Christ Jesus; later, the Gentiles). See also Isa. 28:16; 49;6; 50:6; 52:13; 60:3; Ps. 22:7,8; 158:22. None of these even hint of Muhammad. When we turn to other OT authors we find prophecies: Zech. 15:15-13; Ps. 41; Jer. 32:6-15; Matt. 27:3-10 (NT). Micah 5:2 eliminates all other cities of the world and selected Bethlehem for Christ’s birthplace.
MUSLIM KINGDOM OF GOD?
Since we can’t fine ONE single verse in the entire Holy Bible concerning Muhammad, WHY are we to believe that he is the Last Day Prophet? I don’t give a hoot what the Quran or Hadith says, Jesus IS THE END TIME PROPHET/SAVIOR/LORD. Period!
Our ignorant Muslim author says: “So the Kingdom of God, that means teachings of God was handed over to another nation called Muslims who spread this divine teaching throughout the world” (he cites Matt. 21:43). Israel rejects her Messiah and His Kingdom (this was predicted). As a result, the Kingdom of God (KOG) and its power are given to others (as I point out in lesson one: “other sheep” – Gentiles). 1 Peter 2:9 calls it “an holy nation (certainly not Arabia), a peculiar people.”
The “nation”, my Muslim author, was and IS the Christian nation, that is, a nation made up of converted Jews and Gentiles (including Arabs, in which Muhammad should have become a true follower of Christ instead of forming his bloody and hateful religion called Islam!!) Even the Jewish rabbis taught that in previous ages the “kingdom” had been taken away from Israel because of its unfaithfulness. As in Matt 22:7, Matthew may have the Jewish War in mind.
A SHARP SWORD?
I will finish with this “Sword” verse – Rev 19:15 – which our Muslim cites. Ah, at Last! Here we find a “moderate” Muslim, a “peaceful” Muslim telling on Muhammad; “It is also prophesied, ‘A long sword, that he strikes the nations with it, and he will rule over them with a rod of iron’”. Our Muslim tries to convince us that this advent was fulfilled by the (false) prophet Muhammad. Give us a break! He goes on and states (falsely of course, not giving the real truth-of-the-matter about Islam’s founder) that “the disbelievers (he is nice here, the Arabic word is “kafir”, which means evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life, which can be tortured, murdered, lied to and cheated – see my recent teachings ( 2) called “Kill the Kafirs” on DVD), persecuted him and his followers with sword, he in self-defence took up sword as well…” This is pure BULL! Islam is a religion of the SWORD – not in self-defense as our lying Muslim author writes, but in OFFENSIVE WARFARE, terrorization, etc. For historical proof, read our booklet called “Offensive Warfare to Spread Islam” – all ancient and contemporary Muslim scholars agree that Islam was spread by “Sword Force”. This is pure Islamic propaganda that is rooted and grounded in “Political Correctness.”
“And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule with a rod of iron…” Rev. 19:15 KJV. All translations read about the same. But notice, our Muslim author leaves out the “mouth” part, Why? Because he knew that Muhammad and those who followed his life afterwards, used the “sword of steel”, not as Jesus who used the “Sword of the Spirit.” The latter would not fit the bloody profile of his (false) prophet. You see, Jesus as and is the “Sword of the Lord”, His Words are Spirit Words. Jesus declared in John 6:63, “ it is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” Nowhere do we find Jesus using the “sword of steel”; but we do find Muhammad doing so.
HEAVENLY SWORD
There is NO WAY one can honestly attribute Rev. 19:15 to Muhammad. Just go back to the beginning of chapter 19, see if Muhammad fits into this chapter. Verse 9 speaks of “The Lamb” (Jesus Christ); verse 13 we read “His name is called the Word of God” (see Jn. 1:1 and 1:14 – “the Word”. Where do we find Muhammad called “The Word”? We don’t!!
Go back to Rev. 1 where Jesus is the subject – “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). Shoot on up to 1:16… “Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword…” (See also 2:12,16; 19:15,21). Go back to the OT where we find this double symbolism – sword/rod of iron – Isa 15:4, where the Messiah “shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked”. Analogous symbolism is to be found in other sources. In 1 Thess 2:8 the Lord Jesus will destroy the lawless one “with the breath of His mouth”; in 2 Esdras 13:9-13 th Man from the sea (Messiah) will destroy His enemies with the fiery stream from His mouth, the flaming breath from His lips, and the storm of sparks from His tongue; while the Elect One (Messiah) of 1 Enoch 62:2 will slay all sinners with the Word of His mouth. It is readily seen that the portrayal of the Heavenly/Glorified Christ in vv. 13-16 (Rev. 1) is composite, made up of elements found in various representations of God, angels, the Messiah (and perhaps of a pagan deity as well). Like other verses/texts in Revelations, it is highly syncretistic. There is no way one can see Muhammad portrayed in the book of Revelations.
ROD OF IRON
The correct rendering is “scepter of strength” (see Ps 2:9). We find in Rev. 12:5 about the “man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” After we find Jesus in v. 15 (Rev. 19), in v. 16 we find out his name, “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords”. Just where do we find Islam’s (false) prophet called this? We’re waiting for an answer.
We do, however, find in both the Quran and Hadith, Muhammad as a Jihadist (see my DVD on “Kill the Kafirs” in which I give ample suras/hadiths on Muhammad as a carnal warrior as opposed to Jesus as the Spirit warrior. Quran 9:29 is a good place for you to start: “Make war on those who have received the Scriptures (Jesus/Christians) but do not believe in Allah (Islam’s false god) or in the Last Day. They do not forbid what Allah and his messenger (false prophet) have forbidden. The Christians and Jews do not follow the religion of truth until they SUBMIT and pay the jizya and are humiliated.” If this isn’t good enough proof that Islam is a “bloody” religion/way of life, try these: Sura 47:4; 86:15; 8:12; 3:28; 33:60. All these and several hundred more speak about the kafirs.
When one turns to the Hadith (with many hadiths/vols.) , one will find the same -murder, torture, theft, rape slavery etc. JIHAD is COMMANDED by Muhammad (see Bukharis’ Hadith 2:26, 594, or Vo. 2, Cpt. 26, pg. 594). Also see Abu Al-Husayn Muslim’s hadith 020, 4696 where JIHAD is praised and commanded. There are dozens and dozens of hadiths about jihad alone, (see my other articles on this subject).
WHAT A CROCK OF FALSEHOODS!
Our Muslim author finishes his section on Another Prophet (Muhammad) with this: “As a result of this teaching by precept, all the people of Arabia were convinced of his (false prophet), peace loving religion, ‘Islam’…” I need to remind our misguided Muslim that he scorns those verses he cites (6) concerning the “world”. He says they are used in a very limited/restricted sense. Well now, are we to believe that what our Muslim author says “ALL the people of Arabia were convinced?” ALL? He obviously uses this as absolute, not limited. But this is a BIG LIE. Muhammad made WAR/TERROR against the Jews/Christians/pagan Arabs (and others) because they DID NOT believe or was not convinced that Muhammad was God’s Last Day prophet.
In our Offensive War to Spread Islam, we list many Islamic scholars that refute Isa Jan Khan’s claim that Islam is peaceful.