Originally posted by AshleyD
Other than the president of Iran and the Twelver Sect that believes the Mahdi's arrival is imminent (as in 2-3 years) what is the general view regarding his arrival? Is he believed to be alive right now or still in occlusion?

What do you mean by 'occlusion?' Do you mean, perhaps, occultation? Being hidden?

Other than the president of Iran and the Twelver Sect that believes the Mahdi's arrival is imminent (as in 2-3 years) what is the general view regarding his arrival? Is he believed to be alive right now or still in occlusion?

Really ...let me tell you

in the begining of 2007 there is alot of voices that start to talk
from arab sunna that he is alive and he will appear ?
even in the gulf society they talk about he is alive
in there are arabs that belive that.

and nothing happend until know..!!

Originally posted by queenannie38
What do you mean by 'occlusion?' Do you mean, perhaps, occultation? Being hidden?

Haha. Yes. I used "occultation" in my first replies then for some reason switched over to the incorrect term occlusion. So, I'm wondering if the Mahdi is still in occultation as he went into hiding at the age of five. However, he is supposed to reappear as a man in his 40's. It makes me think, due to their belief in his imminent appearance, that he is already out of occultation and is waiting until his body is the same as being 40 years old to make himself known?

Originally posted by Meshary
Really ...let me tell you

in the begining of 2007 there is alot of voices that start to talk
from arab sunna that he is alive and he will appear ?
even in the gulf society they talk about he is alive
in there are arabs that belive that.

and nothing happend until know..!!

Well, they said he would appear in a year or two and it isn't 2009 quite yet. Thanks for letting me know some believe he is alive, though.

[edit on 1/31/2008 by AshleyD]

So the Mahdi & Jesus team up to defeat the anti-christ and we are all pawns, essentially. If indeed the world is coming to end given all the signs based upon the world religions, I am not happy about having to live in this time. Hoping for the best and expecting the worst is where I am at and I do not appreciate being treated like a pawn by anyone's God.

I forgot to add one thing, the original temple in Israel has not been rebuilt yet, I do belive that was one of the signs to signal the end of the world. That may change over the next four years I guess.

Originally posted by AshleyD

Originally posted by queenannie38
What do you mean by 'occlusion?' Do you mean, perhaps, occultation? Being hidden?

Haha. Yes. I used "occultation" in my first replies then for some reason switched over to the incorrect term occlusion. So, I'm wondering if the Mahdi is still in occultation as he went into hiding at the age of five. However, he is supposed to reappear as a man in his 40's. It makes me think, due to their belief in his imminent appearance, that he is already out of occultation and is waiting until his body is the same as being 40 years old to make himself known?

Being hidden does not necessarily mean the Mahdi has been in a body all this time...a seed may be hidden as may a soul...living other lives doing small work toward the Great Work until the lifetime as the Mahdi begins.

There is a wide variety of opinions on what 'occultation' really means among Islam - no specific description has ever been written/found.

Well, they said he would appear in a year or two and it isn't 2009 quite yet. Thanks for letting me know some believe he is alive, though.

The Mahdi is currently 39 years old and will be 40 in 2008. That's when the sudden appearance will manifest.

Originally posted by AshleyD
The temple is required to exist in the last days, yes. A foundation called "The Temple Institute" has already created the required utensils and priests are already in training to fulfill temple duties. A location is available in Shiloh so we're not sure if they are going to build there or if they are waiting for the temple mount to be opened up. Some personally believe the permission to rebuild the temple will be part of the treaty the Antichrist confirms. Others believe it will happen after the war/invasion mentioned in Ezekiel.

Surely, Ashley, you realize that the third and final perfect temple will not be built by men's hands of bricks and stones.

It is the human body. No longer a tabernacle (fleshly body still bound by ego/sin) but a temple, cleansed and fitted for service unto the Most High GOD be serving as the everlasting dwelling place of his SPIRIT..

Ephesians 2:
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

AND

1 Corinthians 3:
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Originally posted by queenannie38
Being hidden does not necessarily mean the Mahdi has been in a body all this time...a seed may be hidden as may a soul...living other lives doing small work toward the Great Work until the lifetime as the Mahdi begins.

There is a wide variety of opinions on what 'occultation' really means among Islam - no specific description has ever been written/found.

I understand. Some believe he even died and some believe he is only in hiding until the appointed time. Like you, I've heard different takes so it doesn't really matter either way what happened- just how/when he will return. At least that is the only thing I'm worried about.

The Mahdi is currently 39 years old and will be 40 in 2008. That's when the sudden appearance will manifest.

Thank you so much. Do you know why they believe this? I know he is supposed to be 40 at his appearance but where did you get he is believed to be 39 now and why is it believed by your source?

It is the human body. No longer a tabernacle (fleshly body still bound by ego/sin) but a temple, cleansed and fitted for service unto the Most High GOD be serving as the everlasting dwelling place of his SPIRIT..

See, that is what we (Christians) believe. The Jews do not endorse the New Testament (where the verses you quoted are found). We personally have no use for the temple because we are told our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers.

But the Orthodox Jews still believe it is necessary, which is why they are working on preparations. Jesus also mentions Orthodox Old Testament Law abiding Jews and the temple existing in the end times in His Olivet discourse. Even they are split, though. Some believe it should be built prior to the Messiah while others believe the Messiah Himself will build it. This is also why some believe the agreement of the Antichrist will include the rebuilding of the temple (although this is only speculation and not explicitly stated in the Bible) and that many Jews will mistake him for the Messiah (this is alluded to in the Bible with the analogy of them rejecting the Good Shepherd [Jesus] but accepting the Evil Shepherd [the Antichrist]).

[edit on 1/31/2008 by AshleyD]

Originally posted by AshleyD
Thank you so much. Do you know why they believe this?

I don't know if or why they believe this. It is of my own understanding.

I know he is supposed to be 40 at his appearance but where did you get he is believed to be 39 now and why is it believed by your source?

Well, it is more a case of me believing my source. And IN my source. Because my source of knowledge is THE source of all things and therefore what I am told is because it is what it is to be. So far everything I've been told has come to pass or has been proven some other way, if it is not of the future but of the present or past. 100% accuracy. If you get what I'm saying.

Please understand, though, that doesn't apply to all my words or discussions or even thoughts. I still have my own ideas and express my own opinions (and try to clarify them as such)...but when I ask to know/understand something I do not, THAT is when I am told these sorts of things that are flawlessly accurate. Just so you know it's not me nor am I taking any credit for any of it whatsoever. Most of the time what I say is just discussion. I just happened to get this flash today since it seems many are wondering this question for very deep reasons.

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that happens which is beyond GOD's will.

♥ 2 U!

Originally posted by queenannie38
Well, it is more a case of me believing my source. And IN my source. Because my source of knowledge is THE source of all things and therefore what I am told is because it is what it is to be. So far everything I've been told has come to pass or has been proven some other way, if it is not of the future but of the present or past. 100% accuracy. If you get what I'm saying.

Oh! My curiosity is killing me after you saying that!

What is your source? I assumed it was the Hadith or a Muslim but it doesn't sound like it due to the way you phrased your reply. What is your source if you do not mind me asking? U2U me if you need to. I promise not to criticize in any way.

Originally posted by AshleyD

Originally posted by Freeborn
Will Gandhi burn forever?
Who did Buddha harm?

I feel your pain, truly. Those two were more "righteous" than many Christians. But as we are told, our righteousness is as filthy rags because our works (good or bad) do not determine our final destination. It is all determined by grace. That is the Christian belief. Totally off topic but I didn't want to ignore your question.

What evidence is there that anyone believes that The Mahdi is alive at present?

I honestly don't think there is any hardcore evidence that he is alive right now. They simply believe this due to what world events seem to be pointing to. Many Christians also believe the Antichrist is alive somewhere right at this moment. We also have no proof whatsoever- we just think so by understanding the prophecies that seem to imply we are in "the time." It could be another one hundred years for all anyone knows, though.

Who allegedly is The Mahdi?

I really wish some Muslims would jump into this topic because I would much rather hear their opinion on such things but for some reason seem to be avoiding the topic. I'm only going on hearsay and what I have read. Hopefully they will chime in.

The "Mahdi" was believed to be a descendant of Mohammad and who is known as the twelfth or hidden Imam (basically, an Islamic religious leader). They believe he went into what they call occlusion (hiding) in the 7th century or so at the age of five and will appear again on the world scene in the near future.

Here....Chiming in: I'm Muslim and I believe in Enki, Enil, and YHWEH at this point. Sorry, but the facts are just pointing to that scenario for me more than anything else. The day I go Koran Thumpin is the day you stop Bible Thumpin.

I personally don't think that any of the details, that humans are so consumed/preoccupied/obsessed with, truly matter at all...because after all...

THERE IS JUST ONE GOD:
♥ the GOD of the living ♥
♥ the GOD of right now ♥
♥ the KING of the Universe ♥
♥ Creator of US ALL ♥
† † †

GOD IS

Ashley,

About that temple... Yeah, see... It's already been rebuilt. The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are built on the complex, and are holy places dedicated to the same god as the original temple.

Some interesting thoughts on the temple which I was unaware of. With current state of things escalating now many of the mosque destruction theories may have some substance. Anyone hear about AlQueda coming to aid Hamas? How long will Iran stay idle? Scary times we live in

I know from saudi friend that the mahdi now in saudia arabia

and he is a young man