Which one is the true Promised Saviour; Mahdi or Jesus?
In response, it should be said that the name, titles, lineage, and even some of the physical traits and personality characteristics of the Promised Saviour are clearly defined in numerous authentic Hadiths, and there is no doubt about its conformance with Imam Mahdi. Also, with a glance at the Christian sources, the following can be deduced:
First, almost all contemporary scholars are unanimous in that Prophet Jesus has never ever claimed to be a "Messiah" and has not introduced himself as the Promised Saviour;[1] such a claim has only been made by his disciples.
Second, the Gospels’ account of Jesus never reminds us of the "Mighty Ruler" the Jews have long been waiting for. He has not made any attempt to establish a government, and no political theory is evident in his words and teachings. According to the Gospels, Prophet Jesus has not based his redemption hypothesis on the foundation of a governmental institution or a social theory; so no clear social function can be considered for him.
Third, the Gospel speaks of a person with the title "Son of Man" who cannot be exactly adapted to Jesus Christ; rather the privileged attributes of the Son of Man place him in a higher position than Jesus. According to Hawks, the term "Son of Man" is mentioned eighty times in the Bible and its attachments, only thirty of which correspond to Jesus.[2] In numerous cases, the words of Jesus often imply that the Son of Man is someone other than him.[3]
Overall, we can say that Imam Mahdi and Prophet Jesus are two different individuals and two real personalities who will play a key role in fulfilling the Divine Promise at the End of the Time. Jesus will follow Imam Mahdi, and will declare that the Mahdi is the true successor of Prophet Muhammad and his descendants. In this way, a large group of the People of the Book (i.e. Christians and Jews) will join Islam. Indeed, Jesus, like a trusted Vizier, will accompany and help the Promised Mahdi in establishing the promised benevolent global government.
Considering the common goals of Imam Mahdi and Prophet Jesus in establishing the divine government, enforcing the religious rules throughout the world, punishing criminals and completely cleansing the Earth of all evils, destroying the Anti-Christ, filling the world with abiding justice, and establishing the rule of the righteous and the oppressed people in the world, one can conclude that the "The Godly Kingdom of Messiah" that Jesus preached and asked his apostles to proclaim and other people to be prepared to achieve it is the very "Noble Government" of Imam Mahdi.[4]
