Does Islam hold the belief that Jesus will return again?

Ted's Response:

First, let me explain a little about the Islamic faith. The belief is that there is one God, named Allah. He is seen to have thirteen qualities or attributes, which are impersonal features rather than Persons or names. It is believed that Allah stands alone and that there is no possibility of his having a "partner" (as the Son is a partner with the Father in Christianity). Indeed, the idea of having a son "befits not" and is "not suitable" for Allah (Maryam: 35, 92). It is not understood by Islam that the two (Father and Son) are One God (see Was Jesus God?).

Muslims claim that Abraham also was a Muslim (âl-`Imrân: 67). Jesus is recognized as the son of Mary, being created by Allah who said, "Be!" and it (that is, Jesus) was (âl-`Imrân: 47). They believe that Jesus never was killed (crucified) but, rather, that his soul and body were taken into heaven (an-Nisâ´: 157). Jesus is seen as a messianic figure (âl-`Imrân: 45); however, the idea that Jesus is God (Allah) or that God (Allah) is the Messiah is not accepted (al-Mâ´idah: 17, 72, 75; at-Taubah: 30).

Jesus is believed to be nothing more than a messenger (an-Nisâ´: 171) and a prophet (Maryam: 30). In Shi’a Islamic tradition, Jesus will return again, but not alone. Rather, He will return with Muhammad al-Mahdi: the prophesied redeemer of Islam who, it is believed, will bring peace and justice to an utterly chaotic world by establishing Islam everywhere. And, according to Islam, Jesus not only will be subservient to al Mahdi, but Jesus will kill all, including Christians and Jews, who do not convert to Islam and pledge allegiance to Allah.

Interestingly, John wrote about two "beasts" (the first beast and the second beast), who will be personified by the Antichrist and the False Prophet. I feel it is entirely possible that both of these men will embrace the Islamic faith, one claiming to be al Mahdi and the other claiming to be Jesus.

The truth is, Jesus Christ, God in flesh and born of a virgin, came to this lost world and died, willingly, on a cross for the sins of all mankind, out of love. He came to redeem fallen man and to give everlasting life to those who would believe. He will come again, at the end of the 70th Week, to rule and reign over the world with justice, fairness, and righteousness. Islam threatens people with death if they leave the faith, while Christianity promises people life if they come to Jesus.