Comparison of Messianic Expectations (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
🟦 1. Identity of the Messiah
| Religion | Who is the Messiah? |
|---|
| Judaism | A future human king from the line of David. Not divine. Has not yet come. |
| Christianity | Jesus is the Messiah — divine Son of God, already came once, returning again. |
| Islam | Jesus (ʿIsa) is the Messiah, but not divine. A human prophet honoured above others except Muhammad. |
🟩 2. Key Mission of the Messiah
| Religion | Mission Summary |
|---|
| Judaism | Restore Israel, gather exiles, rebuild the Temple, bring universal peace, establish God’s rule on Earth. |
| Christianity | Save humanity from sin, defeat Satan, open the Divine Realm, return to judge the world, create new heaven and new earth. |
| Islam | Return to defeat the Antichrist (Dajjāl), support the Mahdi, restore justice, confirm true monotheism, rule in peace. |
🟨 3. Timing of Arrival
| Religion | Messianic Timing |
|---|
| Judaism | First coming still in the future. No fixed date. |
| Christianity | First coming already occurred (Jesus). Second coming still future. |
| Islam | Already taken to heaven; will return near the end of time. |
🟥 4. Nature of the Messiah
| Religion | Divine or Human? |
|---|
| Judaism | Entirely human. Not divine. |
| Christianity | Fully divine and fully human. |
| Islam | Entirely human prophet. Not divine. |
🟫 5. Messianic Tasks
Judaism
- Rebuild the Temple
- Bring all Jews back to Israel
- Establish global peace
- End all war
- Teach Torah perfectly
- Bring universal knowledge of God
Christianity
- First coming: salvation, atonement, opening Divine Realm
- Second coming:
- Resurrection of the dead
- Final judgement
- Defeat of Satan
- Renewal of heaven and earth
- Eternal kingdom
Islam
- Return with Mahdi
- Kill the Dajjāl (Antichrist)
- Break the cross (correct Christian theology)
- End the false doctrines
- Establish global justice
- Rule for a period (40 years in some traditions)
- Die as a human
🟧 6. View of the Kingdom
| Religion | Nature of the Kingdom |
|---|
| Judaism | Earthly political kingdom centred in Jerusalem. |
| Christianity | Divine, eternal kingdom; transforms Earth and Heaven. |
| Islam | Earthly kingdom of justice under God’s law. |
🟪 7. After the Messiah’s Mission
| Religion | End Result |
|---|
| Judaism | Peaceful Earth, Temple restored, world united in worship of one God. |
| Christianity | Eternal life in the Divine Realm; new creation; no more death or sin. |
| Islam | Justice restored, Jesus dies, resurrection and final judgement follow. |
🟫 8. Crucifixion & Resurrection
| Religion | Belief |
|---|
| Judaism | Jesus was executed; no spiritual significance. |
| Christianity | Crucifixion + resurrection = core salvation event. |
| Islam | Jesus was not crucified; God rescued him; no resurrection event until final days. |
One-Line Summary for Each Religion
Judaism:
Messiah = Future human king who will restore Israel and bring world peace.
Christianity:
Messiah = Divine Saviour, Jesus, who came once to save and will return to judge and renew creation.
Islam:
Messiah = Jesus, a human prophet who will return to defeat evil and establish justice with the Mahdi.
