In the Gospels, Jesus references the coming of individuals to come after him, including prophets, wise men, and teachers, as well as one he references three times in the Gospel of John as the Paraclete, which can be translated as a counselor, comforter, or Advocate (Paraclete).
Matthew 23:34 – Prophets, Wise Men, and Teachers to Come
“Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.”
Jesus foretells the sending of prophets, wise men, and teachers who will face persecution that are to come after him.
John 14:16-17, 26 – The Coming of the Comforter/Advocate (Paraclete)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate, to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
In these passages, Jesus speaks of a “Counselor,” “Comforter,” or “Advocate” (Greek: Paraklētos) whom the Father will send after him.
John 15:26 – The Spirit of Truth
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” (John 15:26)
Here, Jesus reiterates the promise of the Advocate or Comforter, often interpreted as the Holy Spirit, who will testify on his behalf. This Advocate is described as the “Spirit of truth,” suggesting divine guidance and understanding.
John 16:7-15 – The Work of the Comforter
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:7-8)
Jesus tells his disciples that it is necessary for him to leave so that the Comforter, or Advocate, may come. This figure will correct the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Spirit of Truth = Quran
In the Gospel of John, Jesus mentions the coming of the Holy Spirit three times in the form of an Advocate, who will guide his followers, convict the world, and testify about him. This reference is most likely about the Quran. The Quran was delivered to the prophet by means of the Holy Spirit and speaks the truth of Jesus’s mission and provides God’s final scripture to all of mankind.
[16:102] Say, “The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord, truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a beacon and good news for the submitters.”
(١٠٢) قُلْ نَزَّلَهُۥ رُوحُ ٱلْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
In 26:193, the Quran even uses the expression “the Honest Spirit,” which parallels the term “The Spirit of Truth” used
[26:192] This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe.
[26:193] The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.
[26:194] To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.
[26:195] In a perfect Arabic tongue.
[26:196] It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.
[26:197] Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?
(١٩٢) وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
(١٩٣) نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ
(١٩٤) عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ
(١٩٥) بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ مُّبِينٍ
(١٩٦) وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِى زُبُرِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Notice that the above passages reference the Quran delivered by the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth—as a beacon, good news, and warning for the people, just like it was prophesized in the Gospel of John.
[17:105] Truthfully, we sent it down, and with the truth it came down. We did not send you except as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner.
[17:106] A Quran that we have released slowly, in order for you to read it to the people over a long period, although we sent it down all at once.
[17:107] Proclaim, “Believe in it, or do not believe in it.” Those who possess knowledge from the previous scriptures, when it is recited to them, they fall down to their chins, prostrating.
(١٠٥) وَبِٱلْحَقِّ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ وَبِٱلْحَقِّ نَزَلَ وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
(١٠٦) وَقُرْءَانًا فَرَقْنَـٰهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَـٰهُ تَنزِيلًا
(١٠٧) قُلْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا
Matthew 23:34 = Future Prophets & Messengers
Additionally, Matthew 23:34 specifically references that after Jesus will come prophets in the plural as well as wise men and teachers. This is the clearest indication that Jesus was not the final prophet. Yet, Christians do not acknowledge any prophet after Jesus and hold that Jesus was the ultimate and final prophet, with no need for further prophets in a foundational sense. By doing this, they are rejecting the words of Jesus and falling into the same trap that the followers of previous prophets and messengers have fallen into. In this regard, the Quran provides the following example of the followers of Joseph.
[40:34] Joseph had come to you before that with clear revelations, but you continued to doubt his message. Then, when he died you said, “GOD will not send any other messenger after him. (He was the last messenger)!” GOD thus sends astray those who are transgressors, doubtful.
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُم بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رَسُولًا كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ
Muhammad Not The Last Messenger
Similarly, Muslims are not exempt from this folly. While the Quran clearly states that Muhammad was the final prophet, as stated in Quran 33:40—making the Quran the final scripture—the Quran does not explicitly label him as the final messenger.
[33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Instead, the Quran informs us that a messenger will come after Muhammad to confirm the Quran and previous scriptures.
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
Check out the following article for more details regarding the messenger prophecized in 3:81.
Gospel of Truth & Mysterious Quranic Initials
One last item worth mentioning is a passage found in the Gospel of Truth. This passage appears to prophesy a particular facet of the Quran, specifically the function of the mysterious Quranic initials. Before we look at the passage, it is worth taking a quick overview of the Quranic Initials.
These letters are commonly known as Haruf Muqattaʿat ( حروف مقطعات ) or disjointed letters, and they appear at the beginning of 29 chapters (suras) in the Quran. These Arabic letters are unique, as they stand alone and are recited individually. In total, there are fourteen sets of initials, and for 1400 years, their purpose was not known. The specific combinations of these letters include:
- Nun (ن)
- Alif Lam Mim (الم)
- Alif Lam Ra (الر)
- Alif Lam Mim Sad (المص)
- Alif Lam Mim Ra (المر)
- Kaf Ha Ya Ayn Sad (كهيعص)
- Ta Ha (طه)
- Ta Sin Mim (طسم)
- Ta Sin (طس)
- Ya Sin (يس)
- Sad (ص)
- Ha Mim (حم)
- Ayn Sin Qaf (عسق)
- Qaf (ق)
One clue to their function is that after nine of their occurrences, they are followed with some variation of the statement “til’ka āyātu l-kitāb” ( تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰب ) which translates to “this is proofs of the book.” Some misunderstand this verse and think that “ayat” means verses, which is the word’s common use today, but Quranically, the word ayat almost always refers to a sign or miracle rather than verses.
[10:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
[12:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are proofs of this profound scripture.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[13:1] A. L. M. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture. What is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.
(١) الٓمٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
[15:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture; a profound Quran.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
[26:1] T. S. M.
[26:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.
(١) طسٓمٓ
(٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[27:1] T. S. These (letters) constitute proofs of the Quran; a profound scripture.
(١) طسٓ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
[28:1] T. S. M.
[28:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this profound book.
(١) طسٓمٓ
(٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[31:1] A. L. M.
[31:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓمٓ
(٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Three times in the Quran, it provides the following challenge:
[2:23] If you have any doubt regarding what we revealed to our servant, then produce one sura like these, and call upon your own witnesses against GOD, if you are truthful.
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[10:38] If they say, “He fabricated it,” say, “Then produce one sura like these, and invite whomever you wish, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[11:13] If they say, “He fabricated (the Quran),” tell them, “Then produce ten suras like these, fabricated, and invite whomever you can, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ مُفْتَرَيَـٰتٍ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
It is interesting to note that the three suras that possess the challenge all occur in initialed suras.
[2:1] A. L. M.
[2:2] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous;
(١) الٓمٓ
(٢) ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
[10:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
[11:1] A. L. R. This is a scripture whose verses have been perfected, then elucidated.* It comes from a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.
(١) الٓر كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ
Purpose of Quranic Initials
In 1974, exactly 1406 lunar years after the revelation of the Quran, it was discovered that these initials occur in their respective suras in multiples of 19, sometimes independently and sometimes in collective sets, creating an interlocking mechanism between the initials and their suras. Below is a summary of the 29 initialed suras and their frequency of occurrences.
| No. | Sura No. | Sura Title | Quranic Initials | Totals |
| 1. | 2 | The Heifer | A.L.M. | 9899 (19×521) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 2. | 3 | The Amramites | A.L.M. | 5662 (19×298) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 3. | 7 | The Purgatory | A.L.M.Saad. | 5320 (19×280) Saad Aggregate: 152 = 19×8 |
| 4. | 10 | Jonah | A.L.R. | 2489 (19×131) Aggregate: 9462 (19×498) |
| 5. | 11 | Hûd | A.L.R. | 2489 (19×131) Aggregate: 9462 (19×498) |
| 6. | 12 | Joseph | A.L.R. | 2375 (19×125) Aggregate: 9462 (19×498) |
| 7. | 13 | Thunder | A.L.M.R. | 1482 (19×78) |
| 8. | 14 | Abraham | A.L.R. | 1197(19×63) Aggregate: 9462 (19×498) |
| 9. | 15 | Al-Hijr Valley | A.L.R. | 912 (19×48) Aggregate: 9462 (19×498) |
| 10. | 19 | Mary | K.Ha.Y.‘A.Saad. | 798 (19×42) |
| 11. | 20 | T.H. | T.Ha. | Aggregate Set 1: 2584 (19×136) Set 2: 1767 (19×93) |
| 12. | 26 | The Poets | T.S.M. | Aggregate Set 1: 2584 (19×136) Set 2: 1767 (19×93) |
| 13. | 27 | The Ant | T.S. | Aggregate Set 1: 2584 (19×136) Set 2: 1767 (19×93) |
| 14. | 28 | History | T.S.M. | Aggregate Set 1: 2584 (19×136) Set 2: 1767 (19×93) |
| 15. | 29 | The Spider | A.L.M. | 1672 (19×88) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 16. | 30 | The Romans | A.L.M. | 1254 (19×66) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 17. | 31 | Luqmaan | A.L.M. | 817 (19×43) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 18. | 32 | Prostration | A.L.M. | 570 (19×30) Aggregate: 19874 (19×1046) |
| 19. | 36 | Y.S. | Y.S. | 285 (19×15) |
| 20. | 38 | S. | Saad. | Aggregate 152 (19×8) |
| 21. | 40 | Forgiver | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 22. | 41 | Elucidated | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 23. | 42 | Consultation | H.M. ‘A.S.Q | H.M.: Aggregate 2147 (19×113) ‘A.S.Q: 209 (19×11) Q: 57 (19×3) Q Aggregate: 114 (19×6) |
| 24. | 43 | Ornaments | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 25. | 44 | Smoke | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 26. | 45 | Kneeling | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 27. | 46 | The Dunes | H.M. | Aggregate 2147 (19×113) |
| 28. | 50 | Q. | Q. | 57 (19×3) Q Aggregate: 114 (19×6) |
| 29. | 68 | The Pen | NuN | 133 (19×7) |
For a visual presentation of the miracle, please check out the following page.
Gospel of Truth
For background, the Gospel of Truth is an early Christian text, likely written in the 2nd century, and is typically associated with the Gnostic Christian tradition. Unlike the canonical Gospels, it does not recount the life or teachings of Jesus in a narrative form. Instead, it is a theological reflection on the nature of truth, ignorance, and salvation.
The Gospel of Truth teaches that ignorance of God is the root of human suffering, creating a separation between humanity and the divine—a common theme in Gnostic writings. According to this text, Jesus’ purpose is to restore harmony between humanity and God through enlightenment. The gospel emphasizes themes of unity, knowledge, and spiritual awakening, portraying Jesus not as a mere teacher of commandments but as the embodiment of divine truth, guiding souls toward spiritual fulfillment.
In the Gospel of Truth it states the following:
This is the knowledge of the living book which He revealed to the 23 aeons, at the end, as His letters, revealing how they are not vowels nor are they constants, so that one might read them and think of something foolish, but they are letters of the truth which they alone speak who know them. Each letter is a complete <thought> like a complete book, since they are written by the Unity, the Father having written them for the aeons in order that by means of His letters they should know the Father. While His wisdom contemplates the Word, and His teachers utters it, His knowledge has revealed <it>. – Gospel of Truth
It is worth noting that the Quran was revealed over 23 years, and the Gospel of Truth passage mentions that the book was revealed to the 23 aeons. Secondly, it mentions letters that are not merely vowels or constants but contain a deeper meaning and that each letter is like a complete book. This parallels the fourteen sets of Quranic initials that sit on top of twenty-nine of the Quran’s Suras. These are not vowels or constants but signs that validate the truth and authenticity of the Quran.
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