Setting the Stage for the Messiah

[Murph]

Setting the Stage for the Messiah

How’s this for a novel setting? A desert region, sprinkled with mountains. Inhabited by a fiercely religious, yet divided, people. Who have survived centuries of conquest, enslavement, banishment and return. Occupied by one empire, while another lurks just over the horizon. Some advocate collaborating with their conquerors. Others, rising up against them. Many in each camp await one divinely guided to lead the revolution. One predicted by ancient prophecies. How does it end? This savior does arrive. But he defies all expectations.
The Historical Example

Yes, it’s been done. By the likes of Frank Herbert, in the science fiction classic Dune. But also in real life. Particularly in the Islamic world, by numerous self-styled Mahdis. But the historical example whence these come is even older. And like so many Western and Eastern (Christian), and now even non-Christian, paradigms, it goes back to Jesus Christ. What was the religious and political context into which the pre-existent Logos incarnated? Let’s examine that. The following draws heavily upon Maurice Sartre’s 600-page tome, The Middle East under Rome. Particularly chapter four, “The Crises in Judaea from Herod to Bar Kokhba.”
Judaea Longs for Relief

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