d-ray

I am admittedly not the most well versed in OT prophecy, and it's been a while since I read all of that anyway. But I don't recall from my reading any passage that might indicate that Messiah was to come twice. It seems to me that when the Messiah came, it would be showtime. Can anyone point out a prophecy or prophecies that would indicate that the Messiah was intended to come twice--i.e., that he would come, depart, and then come a second time, when the real business would start?

elevator

You would have to go to the new testament to find writings portraying the second coming of the messiah. The first one is set forth by Jesus himself in Luke 21:25-32 where he indicates that the end of the world will come before "this generation pass away". I think, thought, than when people talk about the second coming or the end times they are referring to the writings of the book of revelation in the new testament. The first coming of the messiah is, allegedly, foretold in a number of old testament prophecies. As far as I know, no old testament writings indicate that the Messiah was supposed to come twice. The second coming was outlined only in the new testament. (Correct me if I am wrong anyone?).

James Brown

Correct up to a point. The only mentions of a second coming are in the Gospels, not in the earlier epistles.

Which I think is very interesting.

Ben C Smith

There is no Hebrew passage, to my knowledge, that offers a double coming. That appears to have been a Christian innovation.

There is a passage somewhere in the rabbinic literature in which one of the rabbis says that the manner of the advent would depend on whether Israel was faithful or not; the messiah could come either in full glory and power or humbly, mounted on a donkey. So, even here, where two different kinds of coming are on the table, there is still only one actual coming looked for.

Ben.

apatura_iris

This might not be what you're looking for, but there a traditional Jewish belief that the Messiah is present in every generation, and that he will only make himself known in any particular generation if the world is deserving. The belief is based on Isaiah 30:18, "...happy are all those who wait for him." The numerical value of "lo" (lamed + vav) in Hebrew is 36.

Supposedly the messiah "hides" among 36 righteous men in each generation. Some versions of the tradition state that there are 36 hidden righteous men and 36 revealed righteous men (a total of 72). I've always wondered if 1) the Judaic concept of a generational messianic presence is what became Christianized into the "second coming" notion, and 2) if when Jesus sends out the "70 in pairs" (Luke 10) if this is a reference to the 72 righteous ones, since 70 disciples, plus Jesus and a partner, is 72.

apatura_iris

I forgot to mention that the Hebrew term is tzadikim nistarim.

gstafleu

I assume JC tried to have his fig and eat it by coming mounted on two donkeys, then?

Gerard Stafleu

Ben C Smith

Only in Matthew, if indeed that is the correct interpretation.

Ben.

gstafleu

So, is this bit of rabbinic literature pre- or post-Mark? If pre, then it explains where Mark got this ingenious set-up where he has Jesus entering humbly on a donkey, while a little while later the dumb Jerusalemites accuse him of kingly aspirations.

Gerard Stafleu

Solitary Man

If I understand the Hazon Gabrield correctly, then it indeed has Jewish precedent. I also think we will need to redate some Jewish works which traditionally had been labeled as having Christian influence...if I understand it correctly.