Messianism is any Judaic based field of philosophy which concerns itself with the interpretations of messianic fulfilment. The five most common forms of messianism are found in Christianity, Judaism, Zionism, Islam, and Adventism, though many other forms also exist.

Christianity

Christian messianism is based upon the necesity of a human blood sacrifice, to atone for the sins of the world. The Christian interpretation of messianic scripture is that one man must bare the sufferings of all the people. It makes the theological progression from there that a loving God could not have created the necessity for one person to take such suffering unless God intended to become man to shoulder that burden.

Judaism

Jewish messianic groups anticipate the arrival of the prophetic Jewish messiah. Some are actively making plans to rebuild the third Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem to prepare the way.

Zionism

In Zionist messianism, the state and army are the people's salvation and change of event is brought upon by human action. Zionism is an existentialist form of messianism where material needs of the people are addressed through practical and realistic solutions.

Islam

In Islamic messianism, Jesus of Nazareth is considered a prophet, but not the true Messiah, and in Islamic eschatology there is a debate as to whether or not an actual figure will appear, or if God will be revealed directly in some way. (See Qiyamah).

Adventism

Adventist messianism is a feature of Quaker-Judaism (Chareidi), some Christian movements and Islam where the state of the word is recognised as hopelessly flawed beyond normal human powers of correction and the necessity of divine intervention through a specially selected and supported human is recognised as needed. Adventism usually takes a literal interpretation of scriptures and expects the specially selected human to be accompanied by unmistakeable miraculous signs.

Other forms

Other forms include Humanitism, a type of social solidarity; and New Age Messianism where idiosyncratic leaders of small groups claim a role similar to or identical with the prophetic Messiah.

Internal Links

• Humanitism or social solidarity
• Qiyamah)
• Messiah
• End Times
• Jewish eschatology
• Chrisian eschatology
• Islamic eschatology
• Apocalypse
• Millennialism