As for the first point, the prophecy in fact points to Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allah more clearly than to the Messiah, for he is the one upon whose shoulders authority rests (1) and between whose shoulder-blades it is manifest, in two distinct ways:
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The seal of prophethood lies on one of his shoulders (2). It is among the signs of prophethood foretold by the earlier prophets, a mark that closes their register, and for that reason it was placed upon his back.
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He was sent with the sword, which is slung across the shoulder and raised upon it whenever it is wielded.
This is confirmed by the phrase, “a ruler vested with authority, mighty and secure,” which perfectly describes Muhammad ﷺ—divinely aided and victorious, the chief of peace. His religion is Islam, and whoever follows him is kept safe (3) from the disgrace (4) of this world, from the punishment of the Hereafter, and from the domination of his enemies.
The Messiah, by contrast, was not given mastery over his foes as Muhammad ﷺ was; rather, his enemies were given mastery (5) over him and overpowered him, doing with him—according to the Trinitarians, worshippers of the cross—what they did.
How, then, can these attributes correspond to the Messiah in any respect? They match Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allah ﷺ in every respect. His sovereignty is complete and will never cease, lasting until the end of time.
If it is objected, “But you do not claim divinity for Muhammad; in your view he is merely a servant,” (6)