Last prophet

The last prophet, or final prophet, is a term used in religious contexts to refer to the last person through whom God speaks, after which there is to be no other. The appellation also refers to that prophet which will induce mankind to turn back to God.

Islam

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Main article: Khatam an-Nabiyyin

The phrase Khatamu ’n-Nabiyyīn ("Seal of the Prophets") is a title used in the Quran to designate the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is generally regarded to mean that Muhammad is the last of the prophets sent by God.

Christianity

Most Christian churches deny that there was or will be a definite last prophet, although the cessationist perspective is held by much of Protestantism. Others, called "continuationists", hold that prophecy continues, and a debate continues.

The Eastern Orthodox Church holds that Malachi was the "Seal of Prophets" - meaning that he was the last prophet before the coming of Jesus Christ[1]

The Iglesia ni Cristo, an independent, nontrinitarian Christian religion based in the Philippines, professes that founder Felix Manalo was the last messenger sent by God to reestablish the original church founded by Jesus.[2]

Others

In Hinduism, the history of mankind is described in four religious (dharmic) ages (yugas), which depict a gradual decline in religious activities, only to be renewed at the end to start a new cycle of the four ages. At the end of Kali Yuga, the current and last age in a cycle, Kalki, the 10th avatar of Vishnu, is prophesied to appear to punish the wicked, reward the good, and inaugurate Satya Yuga of the next cycle. Kalki is the last avatar in the current cycle.[3]

Other religious traditions have used this or similar terms. Mani, founder of the Persian faith Manichaeism, also claimed to be the Seal of the Prophets and the last prophet.[4]

Judaism considers Malachi to be the last of the biblical prophets,[5] but believes that the Messiah will be a prophet and that there will possibly be other prophets alongside him.

In Mandaeanism, John the Baptist is considered the last prophet.

References
  1. "Marina Finogenova. Malachi, the "Seal of the Prophets"". OrthoChristian.Com.
  2. J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition [6 Volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 1387. ISBN 9781598842043.
  3. Brockington, J. L. (1998). Sanskrit Epics. books.google.com. ISBN 9004102604. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  4. Ort, L. J. R. (1967). Mani: A Religio-historical Description of His Personality. Brill Archive. p. 124.
  5. Anne de Graaf; José Pérez Montero (2015). Reform - The Last Prophets. Trajectory, Incorporated. p. 30. ISBN 9788771327663.
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