The concept of the coming Messiah is of great interest in both Judaism and Christianity. The Christian position about the Messiah has been consistent throughout history. It affirms the Messiah has come, died, resurrected and ascended to heaven. It also maintains the hope and expectation that the Messiah will come back again and establish His throne in New Jerusalem and from there, rule the entire universe.
That is when the prayer called the “Lord’s Prayer” will have been answered. Because the kingdom of God will have come, and His will, will have been done on earth. In other words the coming of the Messiah is viewed as a divided event in which there is a first and second coming. In the first coming He is the suffering servant, in the second coming He is the ruling king.
The Jewish position at the present time is that Messiah has not yet come, because there are many things that the Messiah is expected to do which have not been done. One expectation is that Messiah is supposed to bring peace on earth and there has never been peace. Yet this current Jewish view is not consistent with the teachings of ancient rabbis; it represents a drastic change from the sages of the past. For example Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in his book Divine Conversation published by Chassidei Breslov Brooklyn, N.Y. (page 21) affirms, “It was revealed by the sages that our final redemption will have two phases. The long awaited redemption will first bring Meshiach Ben Yosef, a descendant of Joseph. Who will lead us through the last struggles of the exile. Meshiach Ben Yosef will be followed by Meshiach Ben David a descendent of King David who will ascend the throne of universal world leadership in eternal peace and happiness.”
Could it be possible that the concept of a first and second coming and the “two phase redemptions” are the same? The view of Aliyah Congregation is the position expressed by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and we completely disagree with the current Jewish view of the Messiah.
Shalom to you.
