I have always been fascinated by a very remark in 1 Clement which has been found with other extra epistles in an ancient complete New Testament, I believe it's called Codex Alexandrinus and is extant in Syriac as well as the Canon of the Ethiopian Church who preserved 1 Enoch and Jubilees, probably the 2 most important Apocryphal books ever. 1 Clement is believed by most scholars to be the genuine work of Clement of Rome, chosen successor to Simon Cepha, "Peter." And dated to late first century.
Forthwith I present it and to the best of my knowledge nobody has yet suggested it may be about Islam but after you read it you'll wonder why (unless I am wrong and it's been suggested).
Chapter XXV
Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the ressurection] which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, IN ARABIA and the countries round about it. There is a certain bird which is called a Phoenix. This is the only one of it's kind, and lives ***500*** years. And when the time of it's dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense and myrrh, other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then when it has aquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of it's parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, the the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the alter of the sun, and, having done this, hastens back to it's former abode. The priests then inspect the register of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the 500th year was completed.
John Nikiou, Monophysite priest of the 1st or early 2nd century A.H. wrote about his dissapointment in his fellow Copts in Egypt for supporting the new Ummah against Emporer Heraclius, as did the Yahudi of Persia in a pseudepigraphal Apocalypse attributed to Talmud heavyweight Shimon bar Yohai, "Secrets of Simeon ben Yohai", and Syrian Monk John bar Penkaye wrote in favor of the Divine Mission of Prophet Mohammed (saw) who he saw as an invincible force because Allah sent him to, among other things I am sure, protect "Our Monastic station."
You could say (I am saying) " A Wonderful Sign of the Ressurection...in ARABIA, and the COUNTRIES ROUND ABOUT." factually DID "take place."
Approximately 500 years later almost exactly to the point unless you know exactly the date of composition of 1 Clement and match it to the proper date re: Islam's Advent through Mohammed (saw) from Allah. You can't really deny this if you choose not to believe that it speaks of Mohammed (saw) and Islam.
Places, date, sign which takes place in Arabia and around it. Of course it's a parable, Issa taught Simon Cepha who taught Clement what he was taught.
I heard that Yahudi went to Arabia because they expected a Prophet, and that half the Rabbis of Medina converted. There were probably Nazarene and Ebionites as Epiphanius Panarion reports their existence in the 4th or 5th century and probably they became Muslims.
"Accepted the register (s) of the date and found that it returned exactly as the 500th year."
Ibn Salam, Allah be pleased with him, was the wisest Yahudi in Medina I'm told and matched Tanakh prophecy to Mohammed (saw).
Secrets of Simeon ben Yohai attributed the "Rider on the camel" as the Christians do Issa (p), as do we with the donkey, to Prophet Mohammed (saw).
And he (saw) is. If only they knew.
