JABRIL.MUHAMMAD
Have you read The Final Call newspaper dated August 4, 2015? I’ve studied the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s words because it’s like reading a book.
On page 17 you can read and study the words of Brother Jackie Muhammad and see that the photos of Minister Farrakhan and Pope Francis are connected to his article.
Study the meaning of the word perspectives. Is the weather connected to the timing?
I wrote the following before the Honorable Elijah Muhammad departed from the U.S. in 1975.
Where is Jesus right now? Is he somewhere off the earth, in the sky? Did he come back from death? Was he really seen going up into the sky by a few of his followers?
Numerous are conflicted over whether or not Jesus died; and how he died, if he died; whether or not it was on the cross and what happened to his body. However, these conflicts seldom take place among us, the Black people of America. In fact, few of us have really given hard thought to these questions.
Most of us just assume that Jesus died on the cross in the way that the preachers said he did. Most of us still have the mental picture of a White man hanging on a cross, sometimes between two criminals.
Assume means supposed to be the case, without proof.
Few of us know that a growing number of Bible scholars and students, in the seminaries around the country, know that the truth of Jesus’ death and the Easter story is far different, from what is taught in church.
Black people have been taught that Jesus died on the Cross. We were told that he died on a day called Good Friday. They said he died for the sins of the world–ours, too. Is all of this true?
The last week and day of Jesus’ life takes more space in the Bible (the part called Gospels) than all of his life up to that point. There is little mentioned of his actual birth. Next to nothing is written of the first thirty years of his life. There is brief notice given of an incident when he was twelve. Nothing else. Little is mentioned of the first year of his ministry. More is given of his second year. Still more is given of the third year plus.
Then, eight of the 28 chapters of Matthew; six of the 16 chapters of Mark; nearly six of the 24 chapters that make up Luke; nearly 10 of the 21 chapters that make up the book of John, cover from his last week through what is said to be his rise from the dead and his ascension. But even most of this space is taken up by the events of his last week.
Please note, that seven of the 10 chapters of John which deal with Jesus’ last week, focuses on the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life on earth–which constitute 33 percent of the gospel of John! Why?
This makes one think there is some significance in this arrangement.
What happened the last week and hours of his life? Black people have been taught that Jesus came into Jerusalem, riding on a colt or an ass; that he was hailed as the king of God’s coming kingdom, the son of David coming in the name of the Lord; his speeches; violently driving the traders from the temple; arguments with his opponents; Judas’ secret agreement to betray Jesus; the last supper; his prayers to the Father; the betrayal; the arrest; brought before the high priest and other officials; before Pilate; before Herod; before the mob that cries for his life; some spit on him, beat him; he is mocked; a crown of thorns was put on his head; nails are driven through his hands and feet; his agony; the intense darkness; his death on the cross. But, they also say he survived death and rose up to meet God in heaven. Did all of this really happen back then, 2,000 years ago?
Why are so many Christian scholars so puzzled, down through the centuries, over such parts of the Bible, as Hebrews 5:7-9? You should read this passage. They cannot reconcile the fact that God heard Jesus’ prayer with their teachings about his death. If you ever have read what they write on this, or think deeply enough, you may find yourself wondering about the truth of Jesus’ death as Christians teach it.
Muslim scholars cite this passage from Hebrews as part of the evidence that Jesus did not die at the time in his life that Christians claim he did. Reread Muhammad Ali’s 14 points mentioned earlier.
Upon close examination, as you can see, if you took the few minutes to read these 14 points, the New Testament revolves around whether or not Jesus really died when they said he did. Or you may agree with Mr. Ali that he did not die at that time at all. Read. Think. Draw your conclusions as to whether or not you think whoever is written about died there on the cross or not. Be objective. Try to determine whether or not the words there in the Bible really teach of a death or of a narrow escape.
Now, consider this: If the Bible’s Jesus is really of future persons, just what are we being told? I know that many Muslim scholars think what is taught of Jesus refers to the history of Muhammad 1,400 years ago. I have read their comparisons. They miss the mark by a wide margin. They often try to bend or twist prophecy to fit various parts of Muhammad’s history. This is not to say that certain prophecies were not partly fulfilled in his history. In these instances he serves as signs of events fulfilled in the life of Master Fard Muhammad, His Messenger, and more.
Three years after Muhammad’s wife died, he narrowly escaped from a death plot. He got out of Mecca and fled to Medina. Just before these two events he experienced what is called the “night journey” and the “ascension.” You can get some idea of what this is about by reading the introduction to chapter 17 of the Qur’an, 17:1, note #1410 #1411, and #1439 through #1442 (Muhammad Ali’s translation).
This night journey and ascension to God is that which is in the book of Daniel about the man under the title, Son of Man. See chapter 7, verses 13 and 14. He was taken (in the night) to God. Now, who is that Son of Man? Different people have different ideas. Christians think it refers to Jesus. Not so!
We must first know of whom this prophecy refers before we can know where in his life it fits or takes place.
There is great similarity in the language and the picture of this, Son of Man of Daniel 7:13, 14 and the Lamb in the 5th chapter of Revelation. To my knowledge, all of the Christian and Muslim scholars agree that whoever the Son of Man is of Daniel, he is the same person mentioned in Revelation under the title of the “Lamb.” Read Revelation.
Is Jesus of 2,000 years ago, or Muhammad of 1,400 years ago, or the Honorable Elijah Muhammad of today, the Son of Man written of in the book of Daniel 7:13? Could either Jesus of 2,000 years ago, or Muhammad of 1,400 years ago be the Lamb of the 5th chapter of the book of Revelation? If these men are dead, it is hard to see how this part of scriptures could in any way fit either of them.
So, who do these prophecies fit? Who did God have in mind when these passages were written? Do these passages fit, or are they fulfilled, in the person of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad?
More next issue, Allah willing
