Question 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Question 3 - Essay Example The religious beliefs of Zoroastrianism go back to the common Aryan, Indo-European source, so Zoroastrian eschatology has parallels in eschatology of other Indo-European peoples. Zoroastrian eschatology and the doctrine of the opposing forces of good and evil had a great influence on various monotheistic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to Zoroastrianism, the supreme creator Ahura Mazda has defined the term of the universe at 12 000 years (Price). In the first three thousand years, Ahura Mazda created the spiritual world and the light. At this time, the Zoroastrian devil did not contact the spiritual world, as it existed outside of it. Then evil came into the world and it resulted in the universal opposition between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman (the Evil). The remaining 9,000 years Zoroastrians divide into three epochs of the combat between God and the Satan. The last 3-thousand-year period begins at the preaching of Zoroaster. According to Avesta, during these three thousand years three saviors will come. At the end of the century, in the struggle between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman, the evil spirits will gain full authority over the earth, and fill it with all sorts of disasters. When the disasters reach their its climax, the creator of the world will send the first savior named â€Å"Aushedar, the developer of righteousness" (Price). He will do great wonders and call people to repentance. For a short time, people will find peace and prosperity. Thus, his appearance will not lead to the final victory. â€Å"The second saviour is called Aushedar-mah† (Price). People will be drinking water instead of eating the meat. Ahriman and his spirits will lose their power over man. However, after some time the evil will be reborn in the image of a monster named Azhi Dahaka, who will bring suffering and destruction to people. As