From Adam to the Messiah

FROM ADAM TO THE MESSIAH A ll of the prophets who came into this world had an identical mission. They taught that man’s life on earth was but an infinitesimal part of his eternal life. In this world he was put to the test. Reward or punishment would come in the next world. After death, if he had followed the Lord’s path, he would find his eternal abode in heaven. But, if he had strayed from it, he would be plunged straight into hell. His damnation would be everlasting. This was the reality of life taught by every one of the prophets. Adam was the first man on earth and also the first prophet. A long line of prophets succeeded him right up to the time of the Messiah. Altogether there have been some 124,000 messengers of God, of whom 315 have been prophets. They appeared in different lands and among different peoples, preaching the word of God and exhorting people to live in fear of Him. But very few of those they addressed have ever proved willing to give up their freedom for the sake of God. Few people, for instance, followed the Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist), and he died a martyr’s death. When Lot left his people, only two of his daughters accompanied him. According to the Old Testament, only eight people entered the ark along with Noah. When Abraham left his native