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Study 9: Prophet Isa Al-Masih
Prophecies concerning Allah's promised fulfilled
by Prophet
We have seen in the last lesson the background of (Sacrifice) as
was practiced by and his followers. We saw the problems
of this ; it served as a model for the perfect and final
Allah was to send later. We also saw some prophecies concerning
this perfect . We shall go on now in this lesson to see
how these prophecies were fulfilled.
His birth fulfilled prophecy
Probably the most remarkable of the prophecies of the perfect
had to do with his birth. His birth was to be miraculous.
He was to have no human father but instead be born of a virgin
through the power of the Holy Spirit of Allah. Let us look at
a passage from the concerning this,
In the sixth month, Allah sent the angel Jibrail to Nazareth,
a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man
named , a descendant of . The virgin's name was .
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are
highly favored! The Lord is with you." was greatly
troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this
might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
, you have found favor with Allah. You will be with child
and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Isa.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father , and
he will reign over the house of forever; his kingdom will
never end."
"How will this be," asked the angel, "since
I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy
one to be born will be called the Son of Allah. Even Elizabeth
your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she
who was said to be barren is in her sixth month." (Luke
1:26-36)
Thus, we see in the life of Isa a perfect and complete fulfillment
of this amazing prophecy. We find the same record in the Quran.
In all history the only person to be born of a virgin was Isa.
His family line fulfilled prophecy
We find also complete agreement with prophecies about the
family line of the coming perfect sacrifice. We have seen that,
first of all, to fulfill Allah's promise to the promised
would have to be of the family of through .
Further, as we saw on the last lesson, he would have to be of
the family of , which further specified his lineage. Below,
according to the , is the family line of Isa,
A record of the genealogy of the son of , the
son of :
was the father of ,
the father of ,
the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King .
was the father of , whose mother had been Uriah's
wife,
the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time
of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of ,
and the father of , the husband of , of whom
was born Isa, who is called .
(Matthew 1:1-16)
Once again we see that Isa fulfilled the prophecy concerning
the coming .
His birthplace fulfilled prophecy
Thus, Isa was both born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit
and of the family of , and . Let us look at
the record found in the according to his birthplace,
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first
census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to his own town to register. So also
went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem
the town of , because he belonged to the house and line
of . He went there to register with , who was pledged
to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were
there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth
to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed
him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7)
Thus, we see that Isa completely fulfilled the prophecies
concerning the coming perfect that were written from 500
to over 1000 years before his birth.
His name fulfilled prophecy
The fact that Isa was to be Allah's prophesied was
also confirmed by his name. As we read earlier in this lesson,
it was the angel Jibrail who first appeared to to announce
Allah's message that a son was to be born to her. The angel went
on to tell the name Allah had determined her son was to
have (Luke 1:31). The angel appeared also to 's husband,
, and said,
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him
the name Isa, because he will save his people from their sins."
(Matthew 1:21)
The word Isa means "Allah saves." Allah gave 's son that name
because he had determined that through Isa, Allah would make
salvation possible to sinners. Thus, in accordance with the laws
of the , when Isa was eight days old he was circumcised
and at that time was given the name Isa.
His titles fulfilled prophecy
Besides his name, the titles given to Isa also reveal the
special role he was to play. One of the most common titles used
of him in the is (or the Messiah, or the Christ). In the , and other
scriptures of the prophets this title signified the one who was
to come and fulfill prophecy. Al-Masih meant "the anointed one" or "the chosen
one." Thus, Isa was to be the one chosen and sent by Allah
to carry out the important work of providing salvation for mankind.
He was the one who was to come and fulfill the prophecies concerning
the promise to and the perfect . We find that it
is the title that is most often used of Isa in the .
Another title use of Isa was the "Word of Allah" or Kalematullah.
Allah has no form and cannot be seen by man. Isa came as the
word of communication of Allah to man. Before the sin of Adam,
man had enjoyed open and perfect communication with Allah. Through
sin that communication had been destroyed. Thus, he said, as
the word of Allah, was sent by Allah to reestablish the communication
between Allah and man. By providing a covering for sin he was
to reopen the fellowship destroyed by sin.
Isa's life demonstrated his unique relationship with Allah
We have seen that Isa's birth, name, and titles fulfilled
the prophecies concerning the coming . Let us look next
at his life and how that corresponded to prophecy. We find in
the the record of Isa's life and work. In every case we
find he behaved and worked not as an ordinary man but as one
whose relationship to Allah was special and unique.
He had power over disease
Thus, we see he had authority over sickness and disease. He
was able to heal even the most difficult of man's ailments. He
once amazed everyone by healing a man blind from birth. In fact,
his fame as a healer it was so great that it was often difficult
for him to move freely, so many people crowded around him for
healing. The following is one of the many examples of his power
over disease,
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees,
"If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled
with compassion, Isa reached out his hand and touched the man.
"I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately
the leprosy left him and he was cured. Isa sent him away at once
with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to
anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices
that commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.
As a result, Isa could no longer enter a town openly but stayed
outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from
everywhere. (Mark 1:40-45)
He had power over evil spirits
We also see in Isa's life that he had authority over evil
spirits. Those who were troubled by evil spirits came to him
or brought by friends to him to be freed. In every case he commanded
the evil spirits to come out and leave the person and they did.
Through this many people understood that he was specially sent
by Allah. The following is one example from the of his
power over evil spirits,
A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to
look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him
and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that
he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying
him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could
not."
"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Isa replied,
"how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring
your son here." Even while the boy was coming, the demon
threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Isa rebuked the
evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
And they were all amazed at the greatness of Allah. (Luke 9:38-43)
He had power over nature
We also see Isa's special relationship with Allah by his authority
over nature. He was able, for example, to walk on water and to
give commands to the wind and the sea and be obeyed. Once when
teaching a crowd of over 5000 it became late and still no one
had eaten. He asked how much food there was and found there was
only five loaves and two fishes. These he commanded to be given
out and it fed everyone with 12 baskets of uneaten scraps remaining.
The following short episode from the also shows his power
over nature,
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let
us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind,
they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were
also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the
waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Isa
was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him
and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!
Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely
calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked
each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey
him!" (Mark 4:35-41)
He had power over death
Another proof that Isa was the special one sent by Allah was
his power over death. He not only healed the sick, he also raised
the dead. The following illustration of this is only one of the
many found in the ,
Soon afterward, Isa went to a town called Nain, and his disciples
and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town
gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his
mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town
was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her
and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched
the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young
man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began
to talk, and Isa gave him back to his mother. They were all filled
with awe and praised Allah. "A great prophet has appeared
among us," they said. "Allah has come to help his people."
This news about Isa spread throughout Judea and the surrounding
country. (Luke 7:11-17)
Isa's teaching confirmed that unique role Allah had for
him
It was not only his actions and works that proved Isa was
Allah's chosen one. It was also plain to people through his teaching.
It is recorded in the ,
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Isa went
into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed
at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority,
not as the teachers of the law. (Mark 1:21, 22)
The religious leaders of his day only quoted from their ancient
laws and scriptures. They had no authority to go beyond that.
On the other hand Isa did not have to refer always to the old
laws but taught people as one who had authority himself to teach
and instruct. On hearing him people could immediately recognize
that here was one with authority and power from Allah. Let us
briefly look at some of his teachings, particularly those concerning
himself. In them we find clear evidence of his special and unique
relationship with Allah. Without such a relationship his claims
concerning himself would have been meaningless or even blasphemous.
Below are given a few of his teachings concerning himself and
his purpose in coming into the world.
He taught he was without sin
Isa claimed he was sinless. It is recorded in the ,
Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any
of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why
don't you believe me? He who belongs to Allah hears what Allah
says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to
Allah." (John 8:45-47)
He openly challenged people to show any sin in his life. So
evident was his sinlessness to everyone that none dared to make
any reply. He also claimed the power to forgive sin. The following
incident is recorded in the ,
A few days later, when Isa again entered Capernaum, the people
heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was
no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the
word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried
by four of them. Since they could not get him to Isa because
of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Isa and,
after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was
lying on. When Isa saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some teachers of
the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why
does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive
sins but Allah alone?" Immediately Isa knew in his spirit
that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he
said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which
is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...."
He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your
mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out
in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised
Allah, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
(Mark 2:1-12)
As Allah's final sinless sent to make forgiveness of
sin possible, Isa had power to forgive sins.
He taught he was the Light of Allah
Isa claimed to be the Light of Allah. It is written,
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men
loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into
the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever
lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen
plainly that what he has done has been done through Allah."
[1] (John 3:19-21)
In another place in the we find the following words
of Isa,
When Isa spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the
light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
He said he was the light that would show people the way to
Allah and make it possible for them to reestablish their broken
relationship with Allah.
He taught he was Life
Isa said he was life. As it is written,
Isa said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever
lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
(John 11:25, 26)
Isa claimed that he was the way by which man could obtain
eternal life.
He taught he was the Way to Allah
Isa said he was the true path,
Isa answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Here he claims that he himself was the path or way to Allah.
He claimed to be the only path.
All of the things we have been looking at, his authority over
sickness, over evil spirits, over nature and over death, his
titles and name and his claims about himself, show beyond any
doubt that he actually was the one prophesied who was to, and
give men salvation from sins. Yet, these were not the primary
signs or proof. When people came to Isa and demanded some sign
to show he was , Isa answered as follows,
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to
him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for
a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign
of the prophet . For as was three days and three nights
in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man (Isa) will be three
days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:38-40)
Thus, the supreme proof that Isa was the Messiah was the sign
of the prophet . We all know the history of and how
we spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish. As he
was in the fish's stomach three days and nights, so Isa predicted
he would be in the belly of the earth for three days and nights.
This was to be the supreme sign that he was in fact Allah's chosen
. We shall see in the next lesson how this prophecy came
true.
QUESTIONS:
1. Who was the only one in history to be born of a virgin
and thus fulfill prophecy?
2. Give four of the people in the family line of Isa.
3. What is the meaning of the name Isa?
4. Why did the angel Jibrail command to give 's
son the name Isa?
5. What is the meaning of the title Messiah?
6. How did Isa's teaching differ from that of other religious
teachers of his time?
A.
He spoke louder
B. He spoke while sitting down
C. He spoke with authority
7. Isa demonstrated the truth of his claim to be the resurrection
and the life by,
A.
Writing a book on healing
B. Healing the sick and raising the dead
C. Teaching his disciples how to stay
well
8. Isa claimed he was,
A.
The only way to Allah
B. One of the many ways to Allah
C. One of a few ways to Allah
9. What did Isa say would be the primary sign that he was
Allah's chosen and Messiah?
10. Which of the prophecies that was fulfilled by Isa do you
feel was the most amazing and significant?
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