The concept of a Muslim antichrist provides yet more evidence that the three Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are more fundamentally united than they are divided. In the Bible, Abraham is the father of Isaac, the father of the Jews, and Ishmael, the father of the Muslims. Isaac, the younger of the two, was born of Sarah, Abraham's legal wife, while Ishmael was the offspring of Leah, Sarah's maid.
God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of more descendants than he could ever count. At this point, both Abraham and Sarah were in their 70s and 80s. Sarah lost hope of ever having a child of her own. She hatches a plan to have her maid, Hagar, have a child by Abraham. Both Abraham and Hagar agree. Once Hagar is pregnant, Sarah has a change of heart and throws her out of the house.
While Hagar is fleeing for her life from her angry mistress, an angel of the Lord comes upon her. He assures her that she will live to have lots of children and that she would have a son, whom she was to name, Ishmael. He would grow up to become a bit of a wild character, a powerful ruler and would be constantly at odds with people. Abraham and Sarah, at this time, are in their 80s and 70s, respectively.
As Ishmael prepares to enter his teens, God makes an appearance before Abraham and tells him that Sarah will finally have a son. His name would be Isaac. He further informed Abraham that Ishmael would be blessed, too, and that he would have twelve sons who would lead a great nation.
While Isaac is a small child, God tests Abraham by asking him to go into the mountains and sacrifice the boy as a burnt offering. Abraham has total faith in Isaac and knows the boy will not come to any harm. He prepares to fulfill his mission when an angel steps in and stops him at the last minute. God is assured of Abraham's faith. Isaac grows up and has a son named Jacob, who goes on to father 12 sons who became leaders of the twelve original tribes of Israel.
Some people think that just because Christ doesn't enter the picture for another fifteen hundred years or so, Christianity is a newer religion and so less valid. This is hardly the case. Christ's birth was prophesied for hundreds of years.
God sent his Son to die for the sins of mankind. It was the only legal way He could reclaim the souls lost to Satan when he tempted Adam and Eve into sin. Christ was crucified and He will return.
Where does the Islamic antichrist fit in to all this? It says in Muslim eschatology that Masih-ad-Dajjal will make his appearance before Resurrection Day. He will be the end of the line of 30 false prophets who also will bear the name of Dajjal. Some of the signs that the end days are coming will be when people stop praying, there will be a huge famine, lying will be considered a virtue and people will increasingly worship Satan. It is also said that people will stop respecting older people. God help the Baby Boomer!
God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of more descendants than he could ever count. At this point, both Abraham and Sarah were in their 70s and 80s. Sarah lost hope of ever having a child of her own. She hatches a plan to have her maid, Hagar, have a child by Abraham. Both Abraham and Hagar agree. Once Hagar is pregnant, Sarah has a change of heart and throws her out of the house.
While Hagar is fleeing for her life from her angry mistress, an angel of the Lord comes upon her. He assures her that she will live to have lots of children and that she would have a son, whom she was to name, Ishmael. He would grow up to become a bit of a wild character, a powerful ruler and would be constantly at odds with people. Abraham and Sarah, at this time, are in their 80s and 70s, respectively.
As Ishmael prepares to enter his teens, God makes an appearance before Abraham and tells him that Sarah will finally have a son. His name would be Isaac. He further informed Abraham that Ishmael would be blessed, too, and that he would have twelve sons who would lead a great nation.
While Isaac is a small child, God tests Abraham by asking him to go into the mountains and sacrifice the boy as a burnt offering. Abraham has total faith in Isaac and knows the boy will not come to any harm. He prepares to fulfill his mission when an angel steps in and stops him at the last minute. God is assured of Abraham's faith. Isaac grows up and has a son named Jacob, who goes on to father 12 sons who became leaders of the twelve original tribes of Israel.
Some people think that just because Christ doesn't enter the picture for another fifteen hundred years or so, Christianity is a newer religion and so less valid. This is hardly the case. Christ's birth was prophesied for hundreds of years.
God sent his Son to die for the sins of mankind. It was the only legal way He could reclaim the souls lost to Satan when he tempted Adam and Eve into sin. Christ was crucified and He will return.
Where does the Islamic antichrist fit in to all this? It says in Muslim eschatology that Masih-ad-Dajjal will make his appearance before Resurrection Day. He will be the end of the line of 30 false prophets who also will bear the name of Dajjal. Some of the signs that the end days are coming will be when people stop praying, there will be a huge famine, lying will be considered a virtue and people will increasingly worship Satan. It is also said that people will stop respecting older people. God help the Baby Boomer!
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