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How do the three monotheistic faiths compare regarding the belief of the Messiah?

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Final answer:

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have beliefs concerning the Messiah, with Christianity recognizing Jesus Christ as the Messiah who has come and will return, Judaism awaiting a future Messiah, and Islam expecting Jesus to return as a prophet alongside the Mahdi.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have varied beliefs regarding the Messiah. For Christians, the concept of the Messiah is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who they believe is the Son of God and has already come to save humanity.

They await His Second Coming. In contrast, Judaism awaits the coming of the Messiah, who has not yet appeared and is expected to be a human leader who will bring about a period of peace and restore the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland. Muslims also await the coming of a messianic figure, Jesus, who they see as a prophet, not as the Son of God, who will return to rid the world of evil alongside the Mahdi.

All three religions recognize Abraham as a significant patriarchal figure and share commonalities including the worship of one God and the acknowledgment of prophets in their traditions.

However, Muslims believe that the teachings of the Qur'an address corruptions they perceive in the prior Jewish and Christian texts, viewing Islam as a restoration and completion of these earlier monotheistic faiths.

While the specifics of the Messiah differ between these faiths, they all incorporate the concept within their religious narrative, underscoring both shared roots and distinct interpretations.

Each faith regards the Messiah as central to the ultimate redemption and rectification of the world, though the identity and nature of the Messiah diverge significantly. The Abrahamic faiths all fundamentally look forward to a time of divine intervention and restoration led by a Messiah.

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