messianism

Messianism is the belief in a coming messiah, a redeemer or savior who will bring deliverance, restoration, or liberation. The term comes from the Hebrew mashiach, “anointed one.” In religious contexts, messianism often entails eschatological expectations about a future figure who initiates a transformed world, whether through political leadership, spiritual renewal, or both.

In Judaism, the messiah is commonly envisioned as a human leader from the line of David who will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, gather the Jewish exiles, and usher in an era of peace and knowledge of God. Jewish messianic expectation has varied across periods and streams, ranging from political-military to spiritual redemptions; while the messiah is not a divine figure, the hope continues to influence liturgy and practice in many communities.

Christians identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah (Christ). They hold that Jesus fulfilled, in a first coming, the spiritual dimensions of messianic prophecy and anticipate a future return that completes the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Different denominations emphasize varying aspects, such as salvation through faith, resurrection, and the final judgment.

In Islam, Isa (Jesus) is regarded as the Masih (Messiah) who will return before the end times, defeat the Dajjal (the false messiah), and restore justice. A related figure in some traditions is the Mahdi, a guided redeemer who will precede or accompany Isa. Messianic expectations in Islam are distinct from the prophetic succession found in Judaism and Christianity.

Beyond these traditions, messianism has appeared in various forms—national, political, or religious—often influencing reform movements, sectarian splits, or contemporary evangelical and Zionist thought. Scholars distinguish messianism from millennialism and interpretive eschatology as ways communities imagine ultimate deliverance.