Alice A. Bailey's Prophecy of Christ's Return as Maitreya

Introduction to Alice A. Bailey and Her Prophecy

Alice Bailey was a 20th century mystical British-born author who stated unequivocally that "THE REAPPEARANCE OF CHRIST IS IMMINENT". As a notable pioneer of the New Age spiritual movement, Bailey articulated a profound vision regarding the return of a world teacher or savior figure. She developed a complex esoteric philosophy that bridged Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, asserting that despite the crises facing our world, a unique set of factors would enable the return of Christ/Maitreya at this specific moment in history. Bailey's writings presented a comprehensive system of esoteric science and occult philosophy that was cognizant of contemporary social and political developments. Her work expanded on Theosophical themes while introducing distinctive emphases on the cosmic purpose behind world events.

The Impact of World War II on Bailey's Prophecy

In her late work "The Reappearance of the Christ" published in 1948, Bailey explicitly stated that the world's exigencies after the Second World War made it necessary for Christ to manifest in human form on earth. She identified certain unprecedented factors and happenings that had taken place within the past century which created unique conditions facilitating this return. Bailey emphasized that the catastrophic nature of global conflict had created a spiritual void that required divine intervention. According to her teachings, such major human crises throughout history have typically been followed by the appearance of a spiritual luminary or teacher. These world-transforming figures emerge in response to humanity's deepest needs, particularly during periods of transition or awakening to new spiritual visions.

Bailey's Definition of The Christ/Maitreya

In Bailey's esoteric framework, "the Christ" is not understood as the God-Man proclaimed by churches but rather as a member of an unseen spiritual Hierarchy that constitutes the secret rulership or supervision of the human race. He is specifically described as "the particular embodiment of the Second Ray force of Love-Wisdom" who transmitted "the divine energy of love to our planet and in a most definite sense to humanity". Bailey's early work "Initiation: Human and Solar" outlines the role of Christ as the "World Teacher" and the "presiding head" of a certain wing of the Hierarchy. She explicitly identifies him with multiple religious traditions, stating: "He is that Great Being Whom the Christian calls the Christ; He is known also in the Orient as the Bodhisattva, and as the Lord Maitreya, and is the One looked for by the devout Mohammedan, under the name of the Imam Mahdi".

The Maitreya Concept in Buddhism

In Buddhism, Maitreya is recognized as the future Buddha who will succeed the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. According to Buddhist doctrine, all manifest things are impermanent and therefore destined to perish, including the Buddha's teachings (Dharma). Eventually, these teachings will be degraded, corrupted, and forgotten. The bodhisattva Maitreya will then come to earth, achieve enlightenment to become the next Buddha, and reinvigorate the Dharma. Maitreya is currently believed to reside in the Tushita heaven, where he is patiently awaiting the time to leave and become a Buddha. In Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is the future Buddha who will descend to earth to preach anew the dharma. He is described as a compassionate being dedicated to guiding all sentient beings toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

The Hindu Perspective on a Future Savior

From a Hindu perspective, there is a comparable concept in the prophecy of Kalki Avatar, the tenth and final incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Kalki Avatar is expected to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga (the current dark age) when there would be unprecedented crisis in the world caused by rampant materialism, sensuality, criminality, and complete breakdown of social order. During this time, the promised one would appear to restore true religion and establish justice and peace throughout the world. The Kali Age is expected to give way to a new religion as the cycle turns and the earth enters a Golden Age, the Krita Age, or the Age of Truth and action. This cosmic change will be initiated by a new Avatar who will start a "samudra manthan" (cosmic churning) in the world.

Alignment with Christianity's Second Coming

The concept of Christ's return in Bailey's teachings shares common ground with Christianity's expectation of the Second Coming, though with significant reinterpretations. While it bears some resemblance to conventional Christian doctrine, Bailey's view differs strongly as it does not picture Christ manifesting in the skies in a luridly obvious way. Instead, Bailey emphasizes that this manifested Christ will be a public figure who "must again enter the public arena, play His part in world affairs, and prove the scope of His mission". She states that "His major task is surely the establishing of right human relations in every department of human living". Unlike traditional Christian expectations, Bailey suggests that "no one knows in what nation He will come; He may appear as an Englishman, a Russian, a Negro, a Latin, a Turk, a Hindu, or any other nationality".

The Jewish Messianic Prophecies

The Jewish conception of the Messiah provides historical context for both Bailey's prophecies and Christian expectations. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will be a monarch, a descendant of King David, who will reign on his throne and establish a global kingdom. The earliest reference to a prophetic son of David is found in 2 Samuel, dating to approximately 1000 BC, when the court prophet Nathan declared to David that his offspring would establish a kingship and royal throne forever. About three hundred years later, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed that "A shoot shall grow out of the stump of Jesse, a twig shall sprout from his stock. The spirit of the LORD shall alight upon him". During the first century, Jewish expectations of a Messiah were widespread, as expressed in texts like 4 Ezra which describes "the Messiah whom the Most High hath kept until the end of days, who shall spring from the seed of David".

How Christianity Builds Upon Judaism

Christianity began as a movement within Judaism during a period when Jews had long been dominated by foreign powers. Jesus and his early followers were Hebrew-speaking Jews who lived in Israel, practiced first-century Judaism, and were conversant with Hebrew Scriptures. They were convinced that Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies of the Jewish tradition. The Christian understanding of Jesus as the Messiah drew heavily from Jewish scriptures, particularly prophecies about a descendant of David who would restore Israel and establish peace. Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled many of these prophecies, including being born in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophet Micah. Biblical passages like Isaiah 7:14, which Christians interpret as foretelling the virgin birth, form part of the framework connecting Jewish prophecy to Jesus Christ.

Islamic Prophecies of Jesus's Return

In Islamic tradition, there is a strong belief in the return of Jesus (referred to as Isa or Jesus son of Mary) before the end of time. Muslim scholars, regardless of their denominations, unanimously agree that upon the reappearance of Imam Mahdi, Prophet Jesus will also descend to Earth from the heavens. According to Islamic teachings, Jesus and Imam Mahdi will together spread peace and justice on earth, bringing unprecedented harmony, justice, and welfare. During this time, Jesus will serve as a minister for Imam Mahdi, and his primary mission will be to correct the doctrine of Trinity and clarify his human nature and servitude to God. The Islamic doctrine of Jesus's descent to earth is derived from verses in the Quran and numerous hadith narrated by both Shi'a and Sunni sources.

Islam's Connection to Judaism and Christianity

Islam recognizes its deep connections with Judaism and Christianity, regarding them as fellow "People of the Book". The Quran calls upon Jews and Christians to unite in truth, stating: "O People of the Book, let us arrive at a word that is common to us all: we worship God alone, we ascribe no partner to Him, and none of us takes others beside God as lords". Islam maintains the unity of religions and acknowledges their identical origins. The Quran states that monotheism is not a Jewish invention but the archetypal religion proclaimed to many nations by many prophets. The central figure in the Quran is described as "that Great Being Whom the Christian calls the Christ; He is known also in the Orient as the Bodhisattva, and as the Lord Maitreya". The singular difference between Judaism and Islam is that the Quran affirms that the long-awaited Messiah has already come, and he is Jesus of Nazareth.

The Common Threads Across Religious Traditions

Despite their differences, these religious traditions share remarkably similar expectations of a future spiritual leader who will transform the world. Bailey's concept of the Maitreya as the Christ serves as a bridge connecting these various traditions. In Buddhist texts, Maitreya is the future Buddha who will restore dharma when spiritual teachings have been forgotten. In Hindu scriptures, the Kalki Avatar will come to end the age of darkness and restore righteousness. Jewish prophecies speak of a Messiah from the line of David who will bring peace and justice. Christianity builds upon this with the expectation of Christ's return. Islam incorporates both the return of Jesus and the appearance of Mahdi who together will establish justice and truth. These interconnected prophetic frameworks reflect a collective human hope for divine intervention during times of crisis.

The Transformative Role of the Expected World Teacher

According to Bailey, when the Christ/Maitreya returns, he will not come as the restorer of any ancient religions, including Christianity. Instead, "He will come to restore man's faith in the Father's love, in the fact of the livingness of the Christ and in the close, subjective and unbreakable relationship of all men everywhere". Similarly, in Islamic prophecy, the return of Jesus is not a new phase of divine messages but a final reaffirmation and revival of the message of universal spirituality. The Buddhist expectation of Maitreya focuses on his role in teaching the Dharma and helping all beings achieve enlightenment. The Hindu Kalki Avatar is expected to rejuvenate existence by ending the darkest period of unrighteousness and restoring righteousness. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah will gain sovereignty over Israel, gather Jews from around the world, restore Torah observance, and bring peace to the world. Across these traditions, the expected leader will usher in a transformation of human consciousness and establish a more just and peaceful world order.

Bailey's Vision of the New Group of World Servers

In her book "The Reappearance of the Christ," Bailey wrote about a "New Group of World Servers" whose main task is to prepare the way for the coming New Age. These individuals are seen as spiritual pioneers working to create the conditions necessary for the Christ/Maitreya's return. According to Bailey, the Arcane School she founded seeks "to develop a New Group of World Servers to accomplish the work of the Hierarchy of Masters, under the guidance of its head, the Christ". This group is described as being spiritually attuned to the coming changes and dedicated to establishing right human relations in preparation for the new era. Their efforts align with the broader work of what Bailey termed the spiritual Hierarchy, which guides humanity's evolution according to a divine Plan. Bailey taught that service to humanity is "a soul instinct...innate and peculiar to soul unfoldment" and is "the outstanding characteristic of the soul".

Signs and Recognition of the Coming Teacher

Bailey predicted that the Christ, when returning, "will not be like the Christ Who (apparently) departed". He will not be a "man of sorrow" or a "silent pensive figure". She further elaborated that this World Teacher might appear in an unexpected form, stating: "He may reappear in a totally unexpected guise; who is to say whether He will come as a politician, an economist, a leader of the people (arising from the midst of them), a scientist or AN ARTIST?". His return will be facilitated by modern communication technologies: "The radio, the press and the dissemination of news will make His coming different to that of any previous Messenger". Bailey's teaching emphasizes that he will be recognized not by his title or claims but by the truth and wisdom of his ideas. According to Bailey, some believe that "Maitreya will be born 'sometime after AD 2025'", though this specific timeframe is one interpretation among many.

The Universal Appeal of a Coming Savior

The concept of a coming savior or world teacher appears across diverse religious and cultural traditions, suggesting a universal human longing for divine guidance and restoration. According to the Hindu holy books, the Kalki Avatar will restore righteousness when "society reaches a stage, where property confers rank, wealth becomes the only source of virtue, passion the sole bond of union between husband and wife, falsehood the source of success in life". Buddhist texts foretell that "the Blessed One named Metteyya will arise in the world—perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train". In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the expected leader will establish justice, peace, and spiritual truth. Alice Bailey's description of the Christ/Maitreya as an embodiment of universal love and wisdom who transcends religious boundaries reflects this cross-cultural yearning for a transformative spiritual presence.

Conclusion: A Prophecy for Global Spiritual Awakening

Alice Bailey's prophecy about the return of Christ as the Maitreya reflects a vision of global spiritual awakening that transcends traditional religious boundaries. She believed that the devastating impact of the Second World War created unique conditions necessitating the return of a World Teacher to guide humanity toward healing and renewal. Her concept of Maitreya as a universal spiritual figure finds parallels across Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, all of which anticipate the arrival of a transformative leader during times of great need. While the specifics vary across traditions, the underlying hope for divine intervention to restore peace, justice, and spiritual truth remains consistent. As religious scholar Idries Shah noted, it is "this spirit and this claim to the essential unity of divine transmission which is what has been referred to as the 'secret doctrine'". This perspective suggests that prophecies across different faiths may be pointing toward a shared spiritual destiny for humanity that transcends religious divisions.