How can there be a "second" coming when Judiasm has one Mashiach?

  • There are other scriptures that seem to be in conflict about what the Messiah would do. For example, suffer and be wounded, vs. victorious warrior.
  • For example even the appearance of the Messiah into Jerusalem has what appears to be dual prophecies...

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

  • Does the Mashiach appear twice?
  • There is a concept in traditional Judaism that talks of two Mashiach... Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben David
  • The Moshiach ben Yosef is said to appear first, be killed in the war against evil, and be mourned for. This is the "Suffering Messiah". After this the Moshiach ben David or "King Messiah" appears after to avenge his death and start the Messianic Era.

David Brown, a well known author on Jewish prophecy related to Jesus writes:

It is very common for Jewish objectors to point that "Jesus has not fulfilled all the prophecies," and to scorn the suggestion that some prophecies are for a later time and are to be fulfilled at the "second coming." The fact is, however, that prophecies about Messiah are of two seemingly mutually-exclusive types, as though they were talking about two different Messiahs.

  • Both of these historic figures, which Jewish tradition has recognized as being prototypes of Messiah, arrive amid promises, are pushed down, and finally emerge in glory. Shouldn't the ultimate Messiah follow the same pattern?