New Keys to the Book of Revelation

o (GOD SPEAKS AGAIN) NEW KEYS TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION ," ,', "

By RUTH J. MOFFETT

Yf/et-.>tL1cJ'/e eq,..~ ~;I/I'!J/ ~t" ll!_A k (.,[4!" cI !ht.S -e. fle~(;j "0 thou who art waiting, tafr.:y llo lo~g~r!Qr ~eli~ ~?m~., Behold His Tabernacle and Hi~ Glory dwelling therein. It isá the" ancient Glory _ - Y~6,~~ Mit 'Ie ~7!e1'1!J-frJdt84t:" with a neW Mapifestation."-Baba'u'Jlah.

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BAHA'I PUBLISHING. TRUST POST BOX 19, NEW DELHI "w'!INDIAl ~1l}i<lln' blnh'l t '('O! !-idhfl ) )

THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED TO

'ABDU'L-BAHA CENTER OF THE COVENANT AND INTERPR,ETER OF THE WORD OF

GOD, IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR THE KEYS OF TRUTH, FOR

.... , THE UNERRING GUIDANCE, THE LOVING SOLACE, THE REVIVIFYING

ENCOURAGEMENT, THE UNSWERVING JUSTICE RENDERED TO THE

MILLIONS, WHO, LIKE THE AUTHOR, AMID THE VEXING PROBLEMS OF

LIFE, FIND THEMSELVES IRRESISTIBLY DRAWN BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA TO

THE GLORY OF GOD IN THIS NEW DAY. t © BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST 1977 I

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Printed at PRINTAID, New Delhi-lI0024 ) WORDS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE

-During the visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to the City Temple in London, England, in 1911, He wrote in the large Bible, used by generations of clergymen, the following: "This book is the holy book of God and of sacred inspiration. It is the Bible of salvation, the noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and its lights. It is the divin~ bounty and the sign of the guidance of God." -'Abdu'l-Baha - Here are just two of His further references: "Thou has written that thou lovest the Bible. Undoubtedly, the friends and maid-servants of the Merciful should' know the value of the Bible, for they are the ones who have discovered the real significances and have become cognizant of the hidden mystery of the Holy Book." -Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baba. Vol. 1, p. 218 - "I beg of God through the confirmations and assistance of the True One thou mayest show the utmost eloquence, fluency, ability and skill in teaching the real significance of the Bible. Turn toward the Kingdom of Abba and seek the bounty of the Holy Spirit. Loosen the tongue and the confirmations of the Spirit shall reach thee". -Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Vol. 2, p. 243

"THE SIGN OF THE GUIDANCE OF GOD" ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The encouragement of many has made this book possible. The author wishes to express great gratitude and appreciation to Shoghi Effendi, beloved Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, for his profound wisdom and his answers to many perplexing questions; to Martha Root for the inspiration she gave the author to undertake this arduous work; to Dorothy. Baker for her far-sighted and continuous encouragement; to Robert Lee Moffett, F. St. George Spendlove and to many others who have assisted in this great task; also gratitude to the countless others, who in lectures and classes and seminars have shown deep interest and who have urged that this book be made available to all those interested in building a nobler humanity and a "new heaven and a new earth."

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CONTENTS ,! ;

CHAPTER PAGE . ,- 1

I THE VOICE OF GOD-One Like Unto The Son of Man " " 1 II THE VISION BRIGHTENS-:-Message to the Four Churches '' 8 III THE NEW NAME~The Promise' to Christianity '. " '' , 14 IV THE GLORIOUS THRONE-:-The Shining Rainbow ' , 17 V THE MIGHTY BOOK SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS-The Glorious'Throne Appears ,i:~' (:' r~1 U; 22 VI THE LAMB -Opening the Seven Seals 26 VII SEAL OF THE LIVING'G'OD:' Sealing 144,000 of the Servants - . ,/.!-; VIII SEVEN TRUMPETS-The , _ - i c ."'. ' , ) '," Twelve J- "" _J Imams " f ,_) , "

IX THE SEVEN ANGELS,",;Locusts Like ',Scorpions ' " '\\"; ,'" 48 X A LITTLE BOOKOPENEO:"':"A,New -j . Dimension ,of Time ',' 53 XI THE TWO WITNESSES.,.-Four and Twenty Elders ~J:.'" 59 XII THE WOMAN-,THE GREAT RED DRAGON 68 XlII TWO STRANGE BEASTS 666-The Letters of the Living ,, 74 XIV THE TIME OF HARVEST -' The Angels and the Sickles 81 xv SEVEN GOLDEN VIALS-The Sea of Glass Mingled With Fire ' 89 )

XVI ARMAGEDDON - The Great Earthquake 93 XVII THE SIREN-Babylon the Great 108 XVIII NO MORE AT ALL-Earth Shall Shine INTRO0 VGTION : j .. :'~ C~d;~---'

With His Glory 114 XIX LIGHT OF THE WORLD-KING OF KINGS-LORD OF LORDS 119 A climactic minute, a day, a year, an age, a cyCIe, 'all have just passed into eternity!' The Book or Revelation 'records this rare XX A NEW DIMENSION-The Thousand Years 130 moment in history, as revealed by Christ. The Master Ks:i.to this a we-i!!~ing Revel~tio!l_i~_gi.Ye.n.-hY~llahiá~nah,_ihe_PrQPhef?T XXI THE CITY OF GOD--Twelve Foundation Stones 138 God for the New Age. It is e'.<:p!~ine~,by'Ap~u'hBaha.,: His duly appointed and recorded In'terpreter; "The author has taken this XXII POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-New Master Key to open'the doors 'ofinsight that tlie reader may there- Heaven and New Earth 152 by clearly apprehend in his own soul the' vital significance of this XXIII PROPHECIES FULFILLED, BY THE auspicious moment in the spiritual historibfmankind; thathemay ADVENT OF CHRIST 160 ~~onfidei111y cross, with divine authority, the bridge of understand- XXIV THE PROMISED ONE-The Second i~g from the vague and misty Yesterday in t()" the_ Gol~e"n Age of Coming of the Christ Spirit 162 Tomon:ow-: ,.. " " . ' ,

XXV BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAHA'I -. ~~'-'~Th~ world needs 'a new Isaiah or a John!" 'said a columnist FAITH-Historic Commentary 168 in the New York Times.' 'An historian said,"Never befot~', has XXVI CONNECTED TOPICAL REFEREN- I I there been a period in' human historywhenif)wa~ so necessary CES 175 i that a Divine Plan 'for mankind be revealed; that the greater reali-'

XXVII INDEX SUMMARY OF THE BOOK I ties be made plain, and that the innate purpose and tpe,pext steps in the progress of humanity become known:;' '~"'". '- " , OF REVELATION FOR STUDY 182 I The Book of Revelation is fun of thrilling highlights and sha- IMPORTANT DATES

THE HOLY LAND RELATING DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY TO t dow~bolic picture of' expandinghorizons;of Truth, of the fi.iTIillmeIit of prophecies of all ages, 'ofthe culmination of a great -~ycle-:It-p~ints to the future stages ofman'sunfoldmel1t; Here BIBLIOGRAPHY ...::-Text Abbreviations 196 is a . s-liliJiual bridge from Yesterday", to Tom()rrow built.' by Jesus Christ. ,.; :';'! . ; , " . " .>' ",',', " , MAP '~This is a Book 'of sublime Revelation;' which to ; many is an enigma.' It is one of the most profound and:' important books' of II Sacred Writings, possessing most beautiful and 'extraordinary literary form, a clear vision 'and spiritual power; - . ".;. \. The Book of Revelation.of St.John~the Psalms, the Book of Ruth,are considered by scholars: to be ;the masterpieces of; all

t literature. Great as' are' the works of these have added spiritual values:; 'Much, 'however;'depends its interpretation, as is tnieofallSa.cred Writings. 'i: ) ) xiv It is well to understand first the seven different methods that have been used for interpreting Sacred Writings so that we may better comprehend the many different expositions of this remark- able Book of Revelation. 1. The "Early Christian"-Historical method. be right. "Truth is never contradictory, though we This approach holds that the Book of Revelation has no mes- sage except for those who first received it, and that primarily for the encouragement and edification of the early Chris- tians. This method is therefore literal and limited to the condi- tions of the early Christian Church. method recognizes the "Keys" as given not by 2. The "Holy Roman Empire" method. This method relates to the events in the history of the Roman Empire, and attaches undue emphasis to the Holy Roman Empire and to the countries under its dominion. Its only strong point is opens the door of inner significances and thus preserves 3. The Futurist method. This method accepts all of the Book as unfulfilled events, to be fulfilled ill the future after the Second Coming of Christ and the "millennial rule of His saints." This interpretation given by One Who iscome as the Revelator, the World Educator, 4. The Preterist method. "Preter" means past. The Preterists' belief is opposite to that of the Futurists. They look backward believing that all of the events of the Book are fulfilled, thus making its message inappli- cable to the events of this day. What could be more strange to the Jews than the teaching that a I 5. The Philosophical method. This method is completely divorced from the historical back- ground and is expressed in terms of philosophical, symbolic, psy- I chological and astrological symbols. It looks upon the Book as a ! discussion about the forces which underlie an event, but denies the even 1. It refers to all men of all ages and to the symbols as ap- plying to any or all periods of time. The objection is that this method removes the Book of Revelation too far from the definite times stated therein, admits of no specific prophecies of specific events, and in fact denies the value of all prophecy. ) xvi Shakespeare'and others; upon) ii;', " ;',' xv 6.' The Historical-Symbolic method. i , This method combines the historic and symbolic aspects, and at the same time attempts to relate them to the affairs of this Day. But as there are many conflicting interpretations they cannot all may see' different facets of the Crystal of Truth, they do not 'disagree." This method, therefore, is not satisfactory. '' , it was written 7. The Authoritative-Authentic method. This is the only remaining method left for our consideration. It relates the Past, the Present and the Future with Clarity. ' This the author but by One who has established all the proofs and evidences of His stat- ion as a Prophet or Voice' of God speaking' to mankind, and Who has recorded them with His Own Pen. The recognition of the "Keys" as originating from a Divine Source, eliminates controthat it partially avoids literal interpretations. versy and establishes unity, harmonY"and clear understanding, the Truth. This is the only method that is authoritative " and authentic, . clear and satisfactory. Although the other methods of interpretation are not'denied is obviously nor belittled, the reader is asked to sincerely consider the Authoriinadequate, as many of the events are already fulfilled. tative-Authentic Method, using' THE MASTER KEY, which is the Manifestation or Voice of God, speaking to mankind for this Day, for "God Speaks Again."" ; " / ' .:' ,." The Book of Revelation is to the' religious systems of today somewhat like the Old Testament prophecies were to thelews of yesterday, clouded; with chaHengingmystery 'and," obscurity; divine child should be born of a poor virgin, that ~r persondespis..; ed and numbered among the malefactors should be established on the throne of David forever? Yet the pious Jew looked into the Holy Book with reverence and with the eye of patient expectation, awaiting the triumph of Israel. .-1JIasmuch as the Book of Revelation is the stated Revelation of Christ, the Divine Revelator,' not the Revelation of St. John, -and since no human being has been able to open the seals of the entire book, therefore only a proven' Prophet of God like Christ "'could give the divinely authoritative Keys. Only as'He ,leaves 'xvii

His Message written, signed and sealed by Himself can the Keys contained therein be truly authentic. If the Keys are applied , These Keys presented' unlock n,ot onlyl our Christian'Bible but other Sacred Books asá well, to a clearer understanding and deeper appreciation. May this book enable the reader to disand they do not open the seals, one can well say that they are not the right Keys. If they are sincerely applied and they do regard fallible human interpretation and to turn more and open the locks, one must admit that they are the right Keys. The more steadfastly to the Revealed Word, which is the indispenstest of the validity of any key is: "Does it open the Lock?" Some- able guide, ,critically needed in this dark period of increasing times a certain key may open a certain lock, but nothing more. confusion and chaos, and' thus gain the light of spiritual under- It takes the Master Key to open all the doors, or seals. The standing, truth and illumination. Master Key can be given only by the proven Prophet of God- ~ The Master Key opens the door to all Scriptures. "This is the latest Messenger Who has appeard as Baha'u'llah "The Glory the Truth, and what truth is greater than the Revelation of of God" foretold by Christ, the Divine Author of the awe-inspir- St. John? ... He, (Baha'u%ih) is the Alpha and Omega. He is ing Book of Revelation, which is for all Faiths. Symbols obvious- the One that will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of ly when rightly understood, "enable one to see the unseeable, to the water of life, and bestow upon the sick the remedy of true paint the unpaintable, and to express the inexpressible." salvation. He who such graceaideth is verily he that receiveth Slowly the veil of the twilight cycle of the past lifts, and the the most glorious heritage from the Prophets of God and His Sun of Glory brings the dawn of a New Day. It is established by holy ones." B.W.F., pp. 350-351. "The correct interpretation innumerable proofs to be considered later, that the splendor of of the Book of Revelation is a most powerful bridge of underthat Glory shines through Baha'u'llah, God's latest Messenger, standing into the new cycle." - J. Robert Buck, historian. Who has come to regenerate and unite mankind in very deed and _}( "The Book of Revelation is a very important book and very truth; to gather them all to the one table of His bounty, and to important in teaching the interpretation of Biblical passages to lift all mankind to a loftier stage in his endless progress and un- Christians," wrote Shoghi: Effendi, Rabbani, in a letter to the foldment. May we, wah open mind and heart, apply this Master author, dated August 13, 1944. ,He 'stated that the Book of Key to ascertain if it opens this remarkable sealed book-the Revelation is the Master Bridge, revealed by J~Iirtst for the fol", Book of Revelation. Baha'u'lhih has declared: "All the signs ~wers of ~!L~~ligions, leading to ,the Kingdom of Godupon the have been revealed; everyprophetic allusion hath been manifested. earth. This Master Key is sincerely presented after many years Whatever hath been enshrined in all the Scriptures of the past of research by the author, for the benefit of 'those eager to perhath been made evident. To doubt and hesitate is no longer pos- ceive 'the prophetic beacon light ~f truth,' which has gleamed sible ... Time is pressing. The Divine Charger is impatient and can throughout the centuries. ' May this light inspire you to assist it tarry no longer."-W.O.B. p. 111. 'Abdu'l-Baha said, while dis- to shine brightly in this Day. Let uspray that souls may arise coursing on understanding prophecy and specifying the importanceá with the fire of the love of God in their hearts, and become the of the Book of Revelation: "Consequently be engaged in perusing servants of God and the quickeners of mankind, ushering in the St. John's Revelation; all these signs are spoken of in that vision. day of peace and progress and unity upon the earth! The King Thou shalt soon behold things still greater than this." - T.AB. p. James version is used as that is closest in spirit to the original 286. Aramaic language which Christ used in His Day. We urge It is to be understood that this book is not an interpretation prayerful approach to a rereading of this entire book - that all ,,"(. (' by the author, but it is an explanation based on Keys given by may obtain more of the light of understanding. Baha'u;il~h and explained by Shoghi Effendi, the appointed "Verily, Christ said, 'Come that I may make you fishers of interpreter, to the author. This helps in our understanding of men', and today we say, 'Come! that we may make you quickthis very important Book of Revelation revealed by Jesus eners of the world I' Lo 1 This is the Day of Grace! Come Christ. ye that I may make you kings of the realm of My Kingdom ... ) xviii

and I will make you the friends of My Soul in the realm of My . i i; ; .. _ (t ~, .. ,' Greatness and the Companions of My Beauty in the heaven of .' \,.:" '.. - ~ ')'

My Might forever." -Baha'u'llah, (G.P.B., Intro.) -~ "That which is preeminent above all other gifts, is incor- ;uptible in nature, and pertaineth to God Himself, and is the gift of Divine Revelation. Every bounty conferred by the Creator ANTICIPATORY PREFACE upon man, be it material or spiritual, is subservient unto this. It is, in its essence, and will ever so remain, the Bread which cometh down from Heaven. It is God's supreme testimony, the clearest A train of seven' camels moved rhythmically along the white evidence of His truth, the sign of His consummate bounty, the sands of the Mediterranean Sea in the little' fishing viIIage of token of His all-encompassing mercy, the proof of His most . Haifa. The softly lapping waves creaming' over their tired' feet loving providence, the symbol of His most perfect grace. He .- brought relief in the hot tropical sun. c'The camel driver humbly hath, indeed, partaken of this highest gift of God who hath re- prostrated himself on the shining sandsá in' gratitude' to God for cognized His Manifestation in this Day." -B.W.F. p. ]22. having enabled him to enter the Holy Land and to worship on the Mountain of God-Mount Carmel. ; " , f ; " , L;,,< ,,"

A young lad by the name ofJohn, son of Zebedee,' the wellto-do fisherman, said to the. wearytraveler,,','Have you seen Him, Jesus the Son of Man? 0 SirLYou must see Him.! He is the great Healer! He is the Light of the World!",,' .,, W'.'

This was the same John who, with his brother James, answered the call of Christ .. ' It was he who,was' miraculoiJsly 'delivered from a cauldron of boiling oHin 'Rome;"after'the .-crucifixion of his beloved Master, and later at an advilnced age was sent'to .the: penal island ofPatmos to work in the mine,s.;" J " , ' .' . John is generally believed to ,haveá been; younger' than -. his., brother James. ',His life may be divided: into i'three periods: (1); Before his call to discipleship he no doubt lived ,with 'his parents "THE SYMBOL OF HIS in or near Bethsaida, and little is known of him .. When the voice PERFECT GRACE" ofJohn the Baptist was heard in the wilderness 'of Judea and the multitudes flocked to hear bim, the sons of Zebedee . were. among the number and young John eagerly listened.;;(2) Then: a greater One than John the .,Baptist •arose.'Jesusthe Christ", Believers turned to Him. Peter, James and John came within the' innermost circle of our Lord's followers, and John' 'enjoyed ,. the worthy distinction of being c/:llled the "beloved. disciple,',"who.witnessed the crucifixion and transfiguration and was with,the Christ during His agony. John was ,the first of the disciples to recognize Christ after . His Resurrection, and his zeal was;unwearied,'as 'with' Peter he .-~ spread the teachings of Christ. Fifteen years after Paul's first visit to Jerusalem, John was, there at the settlement of the great questions agitating the church, and his position and influence' were I ,}

Ii ) xx xxi those of one who "seemed to be a pillar." -Gal 2:9. (3) The tradi- I tions of a later age connect him with Ephesus after his departure from Jerusalem. It is held that the Seven Asian Churches were r I' I: It is the hope of the author to present here a clearer understanding of the integrating and disintegrating forces sweeping the world today; the assurance of continuous world progress toward his special charges, and that he had much to do in saving them unity and peace, a new spiritual vision, a new perspective on life, from "soul-destroying error." All of the other disciples had ex- and, THROUGH THE MASTER KEY REVEALED BY perienced violent martyrdom, and because of his failure to conform BAHkU'LLA.H A SHINING RAY OF HOPE FOR EVERY to the command of Emperor-worship, John was banished to the SOUL UPON THIS PLANET! "" island of Patmos. There, as a prisoner, he labored in the mines One should earnestly seek in the Ocean of Truth for the at an extremely old age, and received from Christ the remarkable pearls of greatest price. Revelation which closes the New Testament. Polycarp, Ignatius "My holy, My divinely ordained Revelation may be likened and Papias were his disciples, and at that great age, after seeing unto an ocean in whose depths are concealed innumerable pearls the mission of Christ extended from Palestine westward to Italy of great price, of surpassing lustre. It is the duty of every seeker and Gaul, he passed away, leaving his great heritage as a warning to bestir himself and strive to attain the shores of this ocean, so and a guide for all mankind. that he may, in proportion to the eagerness of his search and the Picture this elderly prisoner with the flowing beard, radiant efforts he hath exerted, partake of such benefits as have been precountenance and purity of heart, sitting on a rock at the mouth of ordained in God's irrevocable and hidden Tablets." -Baha'u'I1<ih a cave on the lonely barren penal island of Patmos in the Aegean -B.W.F. p. 66. Sea, receiving and writing one of the greatest messages thus far revealed to man. John, the beloved disciple, was perhaps the only soul in the entire world with the understanding mind, profundity, purity oi heart, devotion of spirit and Jove of Christ, who had the spiritual capacity to receive such a great and divine communication. Rapidly and prayerfully he wrote as Christ unfolded this great symbolic and amazing historic Revelation and commanded him to write what he sa wand heard of the "things which must shortly come to pass."-Rev. 1:1. John had already chronicled the prophecies of Christ, that He would come in the Glory of the Father; "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever."-John 14:16. "And now I have told you before it come to pass that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."-John 14.29. PEARLS OF SUCH LUSTRE The following pages are an explanation of this great Revelation of Christ as recorded by John in the King James version, the Keys of which are given not by the author but by the Comforterthe Manifestation of God for this age. Balui'u'IIah has appointed 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Moon reflecting His Light, as the Interpreter of His word including these Keys, lifting them above human interpretation and giving them divine authority and authenticity. )

THE SONG CELESTIAL

God Speaks: Each Day is Judgment Day; but comes a Day Of Days when I Myself in Power rise Amongst the dead and open ready eyes Unto My Glory. In the atmosphere Of faith in My past, Prophets those have died To self, the world and all but Me beside.'

Hast thou not heard? "Those who in Christ are dead Shall meet Him in the air." These nothing fear For they shall know Him when He doth appear, No matter what His Name or Birth or Nation; No matter what may be His earthly station, For from the sea of Names they long have fled. They know Him by the shining of His Light, As those whose eyes are open see the brightá And cloudless sun; for the benign bestowing . Of His great bounties, like the sunlight flowing, Declare Him. He hath Names unto the knowing. Their spirits meet Him, their long-promised.One: With man's interpretations they have done; ", Their longing hearts in Certitude find rest; They recognize My Song and seek My Nest. -by Howard Colby Ives

~:~? r THE SONG OF JOY

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'f ,.CHAPTER I

THE VOICE OF GOD One Like unto the Son of Man

"Behold I stand atthe door and knock." -'-Rev. 3:20

The curtain rises on the greatest drama in all history. , "This is the Revelation ofJesus Christ,",the clarion call that \'. has rung down through the centuries., !tis established that this Book of Revelation was, given by Christ to John: 'to show unto his servants the things which must, shortly come to pass.' Most scholars state that the Book was received and recorded by John in 96 A.D. on' the Island of PatmQs.' John was commanded by Christ to send this message to the "seven. churches which are in \.\ Asia," --'-v.n-to Ephesus, Smyrna,Pergamos, Thyatita., Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea" the first little Christian missions in what is now Western Turkey. ,Whereas in the authoritative --: authentic interpretation' these "churches" refer not onlyáto the early missions, but to the seven great divinely revealed religious systems of the past in the Adamic Cycle, Whose Founders have shed increasing splendour on the Universal Revelation for the New Day. - See P.U.P. p. 158.' " :" , It bas been stated by tbedistinguished scholar,ShoghiEffendi Rabbani, that "The successive Founders of all past Religions, Who, from time immemorial, have shed, with ever-increasing intensity, the splendour of one common' Revelation attbe various stages which have marked tbe advance of mankind toward maturity, may thus, in a sense, be regarded as preliminary Manifestations, anticipating and paving the way for the advent of that Day of Days when the whole earth will have. fructified and the tree of humanity will have yielded its destined fruit.",-W.O.B. p. 166.' __), These great divinely-revealed religious ,systems of the past Cycle still existing today are 'Sabeanism,' Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The respective

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Founders of these Systems were possibly Enoch; as believed by some of the Sabeans but not fully established, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus the Christ and Muhammad. In this [ centre of which the outer church is but a symbol." - P.U.P. p. 158. ' , "Therefore, it is shown that the Divine Manifestations of

new cycle, the Bab and Baha'u'llah were the Founders of the God are the collective centres of God., These heavenly Messeng- Ribi Faith and the Baha'i Faith, respectively. ers are the real shepherds of humanity, for whenever They appear It is important also to know the overall pattern including the in the world They unite the scattered sheep. The collective time and place of the appearances of these Prophets, that we may centre has always appeared.in the Orient. His Holiness Abraham, better comprehend this great symbolic message of Christ as re- His Holiness Moses, His Holiness Jesus Christ, His Holiness vealed in the Book of Revelation. According to our best scholars, Muhammad were collective centres of Their day and time, and all Krishna appeared in India sometime between 3000 and 2000 B.C.; arose in the East. Today His Holiness Baha'u'JIah is the collective the birth of Christ occurred in Palestine about 5 or 4 B.C. centre of unity for all mankind and the splendor of His light has Muhammad's advent was in Arabia in 622 A.D. The Bab was likewise dawned in the east." - P.U.P. p. 159. born in Shiraz, Persia in 1819 and declared His Mission in 1844. ",.",'1 Each Divine Revelator is the Star of Guidance and the Mirror Baha'u'llah was born in Tihran, Persia in 18 17 and made the .- '-I~~flecting the light by which we learn to know God. Minds are declaration of His Station and Mission in Baghdad, Iniq in 1863. powerless to comprehend God and souls are unable to. perceive Each Founder brought the Laws and the Word of God for the His Exalted Essence. "Therefore all tha.t the human reahty knows .1". Age in which He appeared, and each One was the Star, or Angel, discovers, and understands of the names, the attributes, and perof His Church, or System. fections of God, refer to these Holy Manifestations." - S.A.Q. 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'lhih, explains that "The p. 169. "These sanctified Mirrors, these DaySprings of ancient Manifestation of God is the real divine temple and collective glory, are, one and all, the Exponents on earth of Him Who is centre of which the outer church is but a symbol. .. Recallthe the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. statement of His Holiness Jesus Christ in the Gospel. Addressing From Him proceed Their knowledge and power; from Him is Peter, He said, 'Thou art Peter and upon this rock will I build derived Their sovereignty. The beauty of Their countenance is My Church.' It is evident, therefore, that the Church of God is but a reflection of His image, and Their revelation a sign of His the Law of God and that the actual edifice is but one symbol deathless glory. They are the Treasuries of Divine Knowledge, thereof. For the law of God is a collective centre which unites and the Repositories of celestial wisdom. Through Them is various peoples, nativities, tongues and opinions. All find shelter transmitted a grace that is infinite and by Them is revealed the in its protection and become attracted to it." -Po D.P. p. 158. Light that can never fade." - Gl. p. 47. In our immaturity we 'Abdu'l-Baha explains in the following powerful words some have failed to appreciate Their stations;; Today we are beginning of the symbolism used oy Christ. to comprehend the greatness of Their mission and that each One is the Collective Centre,of His Age. - P.U.P. p. 158. . " Church-The Collective Center Christ declared that He "is .the faithful' witness."- v.S. "The purpose of this is that the church is a collective centre. The witness of whom? Of the One Who is to come, as each Temples are the symbols of the reality and divinity of God; the Prophetbefore Him has peen. In the same verse, He stated that collective centre of mankind .. jt is evident that the church is the he "is the first begotten of the dead." This means that He is collective centre for mankind. For this reason there have been the One Who came to raise mankind out of spiritual deadness. churches and temples in all the divine religions; but the real 'Abdu'J-Baha explains that "those souls who are not vivified and collective centres are the Manifestations of God, of whom the attracted by the Holy Spirit are accounted among the dead, churcháor temple is a symbol and expression. That is to say, the because their souls are deprived of the breath of the Holy Spirit, Manifestation of God is the real divine temple and collective and these persons after physical death are ina certain condition, ) ) send it unto the sevenchurches.'~v. 10-11. "And'r turned to see having feeling and discernment in their environment, but in the voice that spake with me. And being turned I saw seven comparison with the pure souls who have been vivified by the golden candle-sticks; and in the midst of the seven . can~)esticks Holy Spirit, they are as dead and deprived." - T.AB. p. 670. One like unto the Son of Man, ... His head and HIS haIrs were This idea of "deadness" is emphasized many times through all white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame Sacred Writings. It is one of the Keys to the Book of Revel- of fire."-v. 12-14. ation. Christ is called the "Son of Man." Here John states, "One "Unto Him that loved us, and washed Us from our sins in like unto the Son of Man/' or "like unto" Christ. Christ is re- His own blood." -v. 5. His blood, here, symbolically, is the vealing this very great message in 96 A.D. "of things which must great spiritual Life Force with which Christ bathed all that turned shortly come to pass." Muhammad, tbe Bab and Baha'u'.Il.ah unto Him. We have only to turn the pages of history to see the have come since that time, and many references and authonttes upliftment that came to all mankind as the result of His washing acclaim Baba'u'llah as the One "like unto" Christ! For example us in His "blood", or spiritual Life Force. The Revelation contin- one reference states that He is "the Spirit ofJesus C?rist returned ues : "in His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and in the Glory of the Father." John 16. & G.P.B. p.(;\I~.Therefore' ever, Amen. Behold He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see it is He, Baha'u'llah, Who is "like unto" Christ and Who stands Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kind reds of the amidst the seven golden candlesticks. In Rev. 1:20, we read earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and that the seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches or, as Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and has been stated, the seven Divinely-revealed religious systems. was, and which is to come, the Almighty." v. 9. "I John, who also "His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom snow."-v. 14. Notice how the whiteness is re-emphasized. This and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle which is called Patmos, Key is very important. After the horrible persecuti~ns of ~he Bab for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." and His followers, Baha'u'llah was, in 1852, put 10 chams and . Baha'u'lhih states, "0 kings of Christendom! Heard ye not thrown into the Black Pit in Tihran, with one hundred and fifty the saying of Jesus, the Spirit of God, I go away, and come again criminals.á The dungeon was without fresh air or light, one of the unto you. Wherefore then, did ye fail, when He did come again most horrible and unspeakably foul places on earth. Words canunto you in the clouds of heaven, to draw nigh unto Him, that not describe its loathesomeness and the suffering of the prisoners. ye might behold, His face, and be of them that attained His The sister of 'Abdu'l-Baha told the author the following story in Presence?" -Gf. p. 246. Haifa, Israel. 'Abdu'l-Baha, the little son of Baha'u'llah,á then \! This is the Christ Who is speaking: "He was" and He Him- less than nine years old, was extremely troubled about his Father's self said that He was of the "Order of Melchizedek", and the "is havingbeenput into that awesome, horrible 'pit. One day he to come," could be no other than the Divine Revelator for this walked right past the sentry and guards, just as they were bringing new cycle. Baha'u'llah declares; "The Revelation of all the Pro- Baha'u'llah up, chained to two other prisoners .. The chains were phets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers so heavy that He bore their marks the rest of His life. Litt~e hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at 'Abdu'l-Baha was horrified and heart-broken to see that hIS His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of Father's hair, in this very short time and though He was only 35 such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures." years old, had turned "white like wool, white as snow."-v.14; -G.P.B. p. 5. This prophetic statement of Christ is thus ful- G.P.B. p. 169. This is considered a disgrace among Orientals, filled. therefore, they dye their hair when it becomes white or gray; "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me Later,when exiled from Persia, the family dyed Baha'u'Illih's hair a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, 'I am Alpha and Omega, to cover the disgrace so called. This is one of the many signs or the first and the last: and what thou seest, write in a book, and

r.t 6 7 proofs to the whole Christian World that Baha'u%ih is the One but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He the Spirit of that Christ foretold, Who is "like unto the Son of Man standing .,. Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.",-John 16:12,13 . among the seven golden candlesticks." "His head and His hairs I Few could read or write at the time of Christ, therefore. little rewere white like wool, as white as snow." Another sign given by corded knowledge was needed. But today much is needed, and Christ was thus fulfilled, in addition to the supreme proof of the Baha'u'Uah's Voice and Pen is as "The sourid of many waters," power and wisdom of Christ, "By their fruits shall ye know Them." which is also recorded. bringing a fresh outpouring of know- The words of Baha'u'lhih, His works and their power to trans- ledge in a veritable deluge for mankind. form the lives and characters of men are sufficient prooL .. "And He had in His right hand seven stars."-v.16. The "And His eyes were as a flame of fire."-v. 14. There is no right hand is usually known as the hand of power. In verse 20, it photograph of any Prophet of God before Baha'u'llah, not even of is stated that, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven chur- Jesus the Christ. Photography was not discovered until 1838 by ches." "Baha'u'I1ah holds the seven Revelators in His right hand, Daguerre during the lifetime of Baha'u'lIah, and only one photo- unitedly, exalting Them and lifting the essence of Their teachings graph was taken of Him. This is preserved in the sacred archives into the great New Cycle-The Kingdom of the Father upon the in Haifa, Israel. Those who have been privileged to see it usually Earth." (Letter from Shoghi Effendi to the author.) say, "It is indescribable, but His eyes are like a flame of fire!" "And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:"-v. Almost all of the pilgrims have described it in this way. How 16, which is the sword of Truth; "and His countenance was as the could one describe that picture of the visible link between the sun shineth in his strength,"-v. 16, that is, at the time of its zenouter and the inner, the physical and the spiritual, the human and ith. "I am' He that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for the divine? Even the photograph seems to express indescribable evermore, and have the keys of hell and death."-v. 18. What majesty, grandeur and power, interpenetrated with tend~r under- is hell? Is it a place of fire and brimstone with a devil and his standing love and' compassion! Here are the very lips from which pitchfork frying his victims over the flames? ~No! Baha'u'llah expoured forth the Word of God, the Laws for 1he new World plaiDS that hell is remoteness from God and heaven is nearness to Order, and the Plans for a new Creation! Here is the very form God. Therefore the Key to the understanding of heaven and through which the Spirit of God became manifest, the face of hell is the Word of God. As we turn and apply it to our lives, or One Who had given Life to a dead world! Here are the "eyes like turn away and fail to live it, we have heaven or hell here and now. a flame of fire," that pierce the very soul! It seems as though the Christ foretold that, the One like unto the Son of Man would Almighty is looking through His eyes, and, through our eyes, into come in the Glory of the Father and bring the Word of God for the inner heart of our being! A mere human being is overwhelm- the New Day. (Ref. Matt. 16:27) "Heaven is the condition of ed by it! Slowly we become aware that another of the signs spiritual life and Hell that of spiritual death." B.N.E.pp. 231-232. foretold by Christ has been fulfilled. Christ., in verses 19 and 20, commands John to write the things "And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a fur- he has seen, the things which are, and the things which are to be nace."-v. 15. "Feet" usually symbolizes understanding and mol- hereafter, that this prophetic Revelation may enable man to diffuse ten brass is one of the most blinding metals, thus indicating the the great glad tidings of Christ's Spirit, thus hastening the ad- I II splendors of His Light. "And His voice as the sound of many waters."-v. 15. In the heavenly books, the divine counsels and vent of that blessed day when God's Will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. I commands have been compared to water. So, in the Qur'an, it is said, "And We have caused a pure water to descend from Heaven.-T.AB. p. 581. In all the sacred writings, "waters" usually refer to spiritual knowledge. Although Christ had all knowledge 1 i and all power, He said, "I have yet many things to say unto you,

I i! I ) fourth is the punishment for the evil for which it is condemned; the fifth is the reward for the good for which it is commended; the sixth is the promise; and the seventh is what we' might call " " "the refrain." Sometimes the promise is the seventh place; CHAPTER II following "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches." What churches? The churches are the reli- THE VISION BRIGHTENS gious systems. What Spirit? The Spirit ofthe"angel" or Reve- Message to the Four Churches lator of each "church", to Whom the people turn in Their Day, for guidance. -P.U.P. p. 158. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the "These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His Churches."-Rev.2:7. right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;" -v. 1. "He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand" is the One like unto Christ, Baha'u'llah, Who commends this The churches appear. church for its works and its patience. "Nevertheless I have some- The seven churches are usually considered to be the first what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."-v.4. mission churches in Western Turkey ministered to by John. This. means, as explained in the Baha'i Writings, that this church However, these shortly became ruins and are not sufficiently has forgotten or turned away from the Truth as revealed by its important to have addressed to them such a great Revelation as Prophet in the day and age in which He appeared, and has put a we find in the forthcoming chapters. Therefore, it is obvious that stronger emphasis upon its own conceptions than upon the'Word II larger more universal significance is meant, for which 'Abdu'J- of God, which is the Truth. . BaM has given the Key. That church is, however,' commended for hating "the deeds . It is interesting to study the messages to the seven churches, of the Nicolaitans; which I also hate"~v.6.á This is strong langwhich Christ commanded John to send "unto Ephesus, and unto uage for a Prophet of God to use, but He does not say that He Smyrna, and unto Pergamos,and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, hates the people-only their deeds. In every age there are groups and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." -Chap. 1:11. In the of people who rise in active opposition of the Revelator,' who are Greek language the names of these churches have symbolic symbolically like the Nicolaitans and w~o obstruct the progress of meanings, which also help us to understand the message revealed His Cause. ~l for each. I In the first message poem, the promise is of greatest import- Ephesus Pure. ance; "I will give thee a crown of life." ...:. v.I 0; meaning that Smyrna Persecuted. which is more than immortality. " lfis "eternal life",' which' every Pergamos Popular. soul, consciously or unconsciously, is seeking.1 ,'As Christ' said,' "I Thyatira Sacrifice. am come that they might have life, and that they might have it Sardis Lack of Zeal. more abundantly."-John 10:10.' ' ": Philadelphia Brotherly Love. In the second message, to the angel of the church 'of Smyrna, Laodicca Lukewarm. "These things saith the first and the last,' which was dead and is In order not to become confused, some call these messages, alive,"-v.8, refers to the 18th verse in Chapter L 'Abdu'l-Baha "seven little poems," each one being divided into seven parts. ) explains, "Then know that for the dominion of the reality of The first part is the salutation to the church and the identification ~ Christ there is no beginning and there'is no end. Everlastingly of the One speaking; the second part is that for which the church that Luminous Entity hath been sitting on the throne of might is commended; the third is that for which it is condemned; the and everlastingly It will have a penetrating dominion over the ) ) 10 11 worlds of existence. This dominion is eternal and everlasting and flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit' ."-B.W.F. pp. has no abrupt end."-T.AB. 159. 'Abdu'l-Bahi further explains 420á421. that this same Luminous Reality is again shining upon the world, "Every' word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is through the One like unto the Son of Man, (Bahi'u'lIih) Who endowed with such potencyas can instill a new life into every holds the seven stars in His right hand. III The Book of Certitude, human frame ... AIl the wondrous achievements ye now witness the Kit:ib-i-Iqin, Bahi'u'IJah states, referring to the Christ Spirit, are the direct consequences of the Revelation of this Name."- "1 am He Himself, and He is I Myself."-Kitab-i-Iqan, Gl. pp. 141, 142. p. 100. It is therefore clear that the Word, of God, revealed by The promise is the important part of the second message. Baba'u'lh\.h in this day, releases that quiCkening, regenerating "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the power which induces the "second birth." ." churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second The third message is addressed to the "Angel of the church death."-v.ll. The second death cannot take place until" after of Pergamos." "These things saith he Which hath the sharp sword the first death, therefore the first death does not refer to the death with two edges."-v. 12. We find in the first chapter that this is of the body, as we have thought, but to our failure to become the One like unto the Son of Man, from Whose mouth went a alive by the Spirit and teachings of Christ. Resurrection is the "sharp two-edged sword" -the sword of. Truth. This church is birth of the individual to spiritual life, through the gift of the Holy condemned "because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine Spirit bestowed by the Manifestation of God. Christ said, "Ye of Balaam."-v. 14. Balaam is the symbol of idol' worship. must be born again." The first birth is the turning to, or the re- People worship idols in this day as much as they did in ancient times cognition of the Spirit of God in Christ; and the second birth when they made a graven image and cast their jewels or their means turning, in recognition of the same Spirit, to the One young babies into the red hot arms of the,idoJ.Balaam today is our through Whom God is speaking in this Day-Baha'u'llih. Like- love of possessions. of fortune,. fame, power, of anything ,that wise, the "second death" means failing to turn to Him. The turns us away from our service to God. ,Abrahamtatight the promise is that "he that over-cometh" his unbelief will not be same lesson. According to a tradition, Abraham's father was the hurt or suffer the "second death," but will turn to that Great keeper of the idols in the Temple and left little Abraham to care One, Who has brought Life to mankind for this Day. for them, to keep them dusted, to bow before them and to feed "Mankind is regenerated and quickened with a new birth. them their rice. One day when the fatherá ,returned, he .was This is the "second birth" mentioned in all the heavenly books. shocked to findá all the smaller idols on the fioor, shattered into Its accomplishment is through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.. .. many pieces. He angrily asked" "Who did this?" Abraham When the holy, divine manifestations or prophets appear in the pointed to the big idol, in whose hands was a big mallet. "How world, a cycle of radiance, an age of mercy dawns. Everything is could he shatter the little idols when he cannot move, nor speak, renewed."-P.U.P. pp. 271-272.' "1 render Thee thanks, therefore, nor eat his rice?'" Little Abraham said,~'Father; Why do you . and extol Thee, in the name of all them that are dear to Thee, worship an idol that can neither move nor speak: nor, eat his for that Thou hast caused them to be born again, by reason of rice?" "Worship God!" Mankind after, 4000 years is still worthe living waters which have flowed down out of the mouth of shipping idols of his own vain imaginings. '.' '," ,'" Thy Will."-B.W.F. p.l47. "Everyone of the important souls The promise given to the church of Pergamos is, "To him must arise, blowing over all parts of America the breath of life, that overcometh wiII I give to eat of the hidden manna."-v. 17. conferring upon the people a new spirit, baptising them with the It is the reality of things for which we are all striving; and when fire of the love of God, the water of life and the breaths of the we truly turn toward God we "eat of the hidden manna" and Holy Spirit-so that the 'second birth' may become realized. For gain spiritual nourishment and the knowledge of the reality of it is written in the Gospel: 'That which is born of the flesh is things. "And I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a ) new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that ians, the 'Ushidar-Mah (Morning Star), referred to in the receiveth it."-v. 17. Zoroastrian Scriptures."-G.P.B. p. 58. Throughout history we find references to the white stone and Thus we find the Promise, to those that overcome their sometimes to the new name on the stone. Many people have seen unbelief, fulfilled through the coming of the Morning Star-the the classical picture of the Bridge of Sighs, across the canal bet- Bab! ween the Doge's palace and the prison, in Venice. The death cells are below the water level in dank, dark, awesome vaults with no windows-only a door through which the prisoner was thrown. In the door of this dungeon is a small hole through which a black stone was flung, which meant death. If the Doges acquitted the prisoner, a white stone, symbol of life, was cast through the hole in the door. The "new name" upon the White Stone is the Greatest Name of God, revealed by the Messenger of God for the New Age. It is not chosen by any religion of the past, but is the New Name foretold in Isaiah 62: 2, "which the mouth of the Lord shall name". The White Stone is the symbol of life and the "Greatest Name" on the symbol of life is the name of God for the New Age.-T.AB. p. 521. The fourth message is directed to the church of Thyatira, which seems to be the fourth religious system. "These things, saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like finebrass."-v. 18. This church is commended for its works, its charity, its services, but is condemned because "thou sufferest that woman Jezebel... to teach and to seduce my servants." -v. 20. Kings, rulers, peoples of all kinds, I even those "before the aItar," have been enticed by the siren of materialism and gold. I THE LIGHT OF PROGRESS' The religious system of Thyatira is given a wonderful promise. "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto . the end, to him will Igive power over the nations."-v. 26. "And I will give him the morning star." -v. 28. This was fulfilled in i the coming of the Bab as the Divine Morning Star, Who heralded the coming of the Sun of Truth for the New Day. Zoroaster was the founder of the Zoroastrian religious system that flourished in Persia at the time of Christ. What a divine coincidence that the Bab, the Herald of Baha'u'llah, was born in Shiniz, in Persia, in 1819, the land of Zoroaster's birth and near His birthplace thus fulfilling the promise, "I will give Him the Morning Starl-v. 28. "He (the Bab) is the 'Mihdi' (One Who is guided) awaited by the Sunnis, the return of John the Baptist, expected by the Cbrist- ) I

,~ other.' Naturally anything that is much divided becomes weak, I and the more it is divided the weaker it becomes.' Christ knew and foretold this almost two thousand years ago. Today we see the fulfillment and the need of establishing unity, for therein is CHAPTER III strength. Today we see the slivers of Christianity being united by a new Spirit. . . THE NEW NAME The promise given to this church is the most marvellous of all The Promise to Christianity the promises. "Him that overcometh I will' make a pillar in' the temple of my God."-v.12. A pillar means one ofááthose Who "Him that overcometh ... I will write upon him the name of my God, are chosen to uphold the New World Order: "He shall go no and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which more out:"-v. 12, signifies that when we have found the truth cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him the Teaching of the Sun of Reality, which is what we have lon~ my new name."-Rev. 3:12 been seeking, we, of course, will not go out to seek it again. We have found it! The promise continues: "I will write upon' him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which The curtain rises again with the fifth message addressed to the is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my church in Sardis. This church is commended because it has kept God: and I will write upon him my new name."-v.12 .. How can the name and some have lived the name, but the church is dead. a new civilization come out of heaven?á áNeveihas there been a It is admonished to "be watchful, and strengthen the things which civiliza tion like the one rising in this day; wh ere the basic laws, remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works per- basic principles and an ocean of truth are given by God through fect before God."-v.2. This religious system, as have others, the pen of His chosen Revelator; upon which the New Jerusalem, . has kept the name of the Prophet but it has drifted away from His the new world civilization, is already being' established.. "The teachings. The promise given to this church is, "He that over- descent of the New Jerusalem is the divine law, the heavenly relicometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment."-v.5. To gion which secures the prosperity of the human world. and is the overcome means to overcome evil, doubts, unbelief, prejudice and effulgence of the illumination of the realms of God."-T.AB. fear; and to be clothed in "white raiment" signifies to being clo- p.539. thed in heavenly qualities. "I will not blot out his name out of The new name could be only the name of,God as revealed the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, by His latest Revelator. Baha'u'IIah has stated: "The potency inand before His angels."-v. 5. This is a very wonderful promise fused into all created things is the direct consequence of the Revewhich means the gift of eternal life. The little poem ends with lation of this most Blessed Name."-B.W.Ep.'lOO, GI. p. 189. "He the short refrain: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the chur- Spirit saith unto the churches."-v. 6. ches."-v. 13. The sixth message or poem, is addressed to the church of The last of the messages to the seven churches is addressed to Philadelphia which means "brotherly love," as the names of all the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, which is condemned the churches are symbolic. Christianity is usually referred to as because "1 know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I the religious system of brotherly love. This church is commended would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukefor its works, its faith, its patience, and because it "has not denied warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My my name." It is condemned, however, because "thou hast a little mouth."-v. 15,16. strength."-v.8. Of all the religious systems in the world, Christ- This is quite a condemnation. However, this church is adianity has been divided into more sects and branches than any monished to repent, and we find courage in words that have been I j ' ) ) )

beautifully expressed in poetry, song and painting. "Behold, I j.

stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and wiII sup with him, and he with me."-v.20. Many times have we heard these words interpreted individualistically and they are beautiful, good and true. CHAPTER IV We have longed to open the door, when Christ or one of the Prophets of God have knocked at the door of our hearts. How happy THE GLORIOUS THRONE we are when we have opened the door from inside! This verse also A Shining Rainbow, has a larger, more universal meaning. The very word, the very " ... Behold that which hath been sent down from. the Throne on hi h title, "the Bab," means the door. He is the door of the New and meditate thereon with innocent and sanctified hearts. Then will ;h~ Cycle. He is the door to "Him whom God shall make manifiest", truth of this Cause appear unto you as manifest as the sun in 'ts the World Educator, Baha'u'llah, Who was standing at the thre- noon-tide glory." -Baha'u'IIah -B.W.F. p. 34. 1

shold to usher in the great New World Order and the New Creation. We have now caught a little glimpse of the loving messages , For two thousand years the searching clergy alldá scholars and of the lessons that Christ commanded John to send to the h.ave been unable to open this closed chapter and to interpret the seven "churches," the divinely revealed religious systems. This signs: except according to their own conceptions. Christ revealed message or poem also closes with the refrain, "He that hath an the s~gns, and. Baha'u'llah has given the Master Key to interpret ~he signs of tl1I8 str~nge book: In this fourth chapter we find many ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."-v.22 Im'p~rtant locks wll1ch need Important Keys. John is lifted up in May we, henceforth, listen to the loving message that the Spirit gives, in prophecy of this Great New Day of God. sPlflt and "the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trum- The following lines express beautifully the changeless Law of pet talking with me; which said, 'come, up hither, and I will show tl.lee things which must be hereafter'." -v.1. Notice the empha- Love: SIS on th: word "must" rather than shall, "And, behold, a throne "God Speaks: was set 111 heaven, and One sat upon the ,throne." ,-:-v.2. The For when My Messengers to any age word "throne'~ means the station of Prophethood, and. even Bring My new Law, They cancel every page greater, that .of the Manifestation. Christ said, '.'The Son of ,Man Writ by the past except the page of love, shal1"si~ o,n the thr~~e of His glory." ,-Matt. 19:28.• In this Day For this is writ on Tablets firm as rock Baha u Hah, the Dlv1l1e Educator, explains '~throne~' and "Mani- Unchanging, ageless: and Their hands unlock festation" and "the station of Divirie: Concealment,'~,stiII further. With love the door that to My Kingdom leads, "Thus, viewed from the standpoint <of their. oneness and sublime Blest is the soul who Their injunction heeds." . detachment, the attributes of Godhead, Divinity, Supreme Single- From "The Song Celestial" ness and Inmost Essence, have been, and are applicable toá those by Howard Colby Ives, p.23.á Essences of Being, inasmuch as They all abide on the throne of Divine Revelation, and are established on the seat of Divine Concealment. Through Their appearance, the. Revelation of God is ~lade manifest, and by Their countenance the Beauty: of God IS revealed. Thus it is that the accents of God Himsel( have been heard utteredá by these, Manifestations, of. the ;pivine i ,Being." -Gl. p" 53. '. '., , , ' ~"'?i :;," ; ) The Prophets of God have given many symbolic descriptions than the disciples of old, since' none of those had "crowns of of the Promised One sitting upon the throne of the Manifestation gold." ," ' in the New Dav. "And He that sat was to look upon like a The twenty-four elders are identified byShoghi Effendi, genejasper and a sardine stone." -v.3. In ancient times the jasper alogically established Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. They are the stone was called the blood stone, because of its blood-like color. Bab and His first disciples, known as the nineteen Letters of the All through the Bible we find many references to it, also to "being Living, plus five more to be made' known later. - (Letter by washed in the blood of Christ." The jasper stone symbolizes the Guardian to author) , , Spiritual Life-force which Christ gave for the quickening of the Shoghi Effendi writes: "These 'first Letters generated from souls of men. This is the need of all men-to be bathed in that the Primal Point', this 'company of angels arrayed before God on Spiritual Life-force. Baha'u'llah, sitting upon that throne, is again the Day of His coming', these 'Repositories of' His Mystery'. releasing that Spiritual Life-force today for the ma turity of manthese 'Springs that have welled out from the Source of His Revelkind. He also looks like a "sardine stone", which is milk-white ation' these first companions who; in the words of the Persian and means great purity, without flaw or blemish, like the Spirit Bayan, 'enjoy nearest access to God', 'these Luminaries that have of Christ. from everlasting, bowed down, and will everlastingly continue to "And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight bow down, before the Celestial' Throne', and lastly these 'elders' like unto an emerald." -v.3. A rainbow is made by a white mentioned in the Book of Revelation as 'sitting before God on beam of light shining through a prism which refracts the white their seats','cIothed in white raiment' and wearing on their heads light and breaks it into a band of seven prismatic colors, called 'crowns of gold' -these' were, ere their dispersal,' summoned to the spectrum. The spectrum consists of the following colors of the Rib's presence, Who addressed to them His parting words, varying wave-lengths: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and entrusted to each a specific task; and assigned to some of them as violet. This is the beautiful symbol of the love of God. The the proper field of their activities their native provinces; He en- Throne is like a Divine Prism through whic11 the white ray, the joined them to observe the utmost caution' and moderation in Love of God, shines through the successive Prophets to form the their behaviour, unveiled the loftiness of their rank; and stressrainbow, each giving the ray of light whose "wave-length" .is ed the magnitude of their responsibilities. . He recalled the best suited to the capacity of the people in the day and age 111 words addressed by Jesus to Hisdisciples, 'and emphasized the which He appears. This shining rainbow was round about the superlative greatness of the New Day. He warned them lest by throne, and shone "like unto an emerald." Emeralds are the turning back they forfeit the Kingdom of God, and assured them color of beautiful fresh young green grass. This symbolizes that that if they did God's bidding, God would make themHis heirs the Love of God, which had been revealed by the seven major and spiritual leaders among men. He hinted 'at the secret' and Revelators, was again genera ting a fresh SpiritualSpringtime. announced the approach of, a still mightier Day, and bade them "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; prepare themselves for its advent." -G.P.B~ pp. 7,8. ,,:' and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in '''And out of the throne proceeded lightnings a:nd thunderings white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." -v.4 and voices; and there' were seven lamps of fire burning before the In each cycle the guardians, or holy Souls, nearest to the throne throne, which .are the seven Spirits of' God." ":""v.S .. Always were twelve. Jacob had twelve sons; in the time of Moses there after a new appearance of the Word of God, as revealed by the were twelve chiefs; in the time of Christ there were twelve disci- Revelator, there are storms of opposition and violation and earthples and in the Dispensation of Muhammad, there were twelve quakes of doubt; and the "seven. lamps burning before the throne" Imams. In this sacred Dispensation, the dawning of a new Cycle are the seven Revelators who are referred to in Rev. 1:16, as the is the number doubled to twenty-four "elders" on the seat of dis~ seven "stars". The seven Spirits of God; we recall, are -the seven cipleship and with the crown or spiritual authority, greater even Founders of these religious systems and their 1ighfis still burning ) ., ) ! before the throne. The "seven golden candlesticks" mentioned with symbols similar to those in this chapter, explains the rise and in Rev. 1 : 13,20, it should be remembered, are the seven divinely fall of the four great succeeding empires, and tells of the Ancient revealed religious systems in the Adamic cycle. "And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal;" -v.6. The sea of glass is the sea of truth, clear as crystal. f of Days, "Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire." -Dan. 7:9. It is historically estaband untainted. Prophets have all given the truth, but only little lished that Baha'u'llah appeared in the midst of the frightening droplets, or rivulets of truth, according to the capacity of mankind conditions in the Islamic Empire, and that "His hair turned white to receive it. Christ gave a river of truth, Baha'u'llah an ocean of like wool," as the snow.' "The cruelties inflicted by My oppres- Truth. Christ, himself, said, "I have many things to say unto you, sors have bowed Me down, and turned My hair white." -G.P.B. but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he the Spirit of p. 169. Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth." -John 16: 12,13. Daniel foretold that "there was given to him dominion, and Today the sea of truth, which Christ foretold, is rapidly spreading glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages, over the world "as the waters cover the sea." Balul.'u'lh\.h quotes should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which an Islamic tradition: "Knowledge is twenty and seven letters. All shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof. No man, destroyed." -Dan. 7:14. This is, of course, a spiritual kingdom thus far, hath known more than these two letters. But when the that will not pass away because it is based on the Word of God. Qa'im shall arise, He will cause the remaining twenty and five "A fiery s.tream issued and came forth from before him: thousand letters to be made manifest." - W.O.B. p. 125. thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thou- "And ... round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes sand stood before him: the jUdgment was set, arid the books were before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the opened." -Dan. 7:10. This verse refers to the Promised One, second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, Baha'u'IlaJi, Who opens the Books "and activates a New Creation; and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle" and the four beasts and myriads will minister unto him. -See G.P.B. 93,94. had each of them six wings about him ... " -v.6-S. There have How marvelous in the Revelation which Christ gave in this been many strange interpretations of these symbols, but the four chapter, revealing the Great Divine Plan for the New Age as beasts, or creatures, as explained by 'Abdu'I-Baha in a tablet to a expressed by the symbols of the rainbow, the emerald, . the four German believer, represent the first four rulers who will arise to and twenty elders and the beasts with the many eyes and the six spread the Cause of Baha'u'llah over the whole world,' as the wings! good king of India, King Asoka, organized Buddhism as the state <.-1

religion in 264 B.C., and promulgated it actively throughout Asia and Emperor Constantine spread Christianity, throughout Europe. Beginning with the reign of Constantine, Christianity was not only recognized and tolerated, but became the official religion .of th.e Roman Empire. What will be the results when four rulers III tillS day with eyes before, foresight, hindsight and insight, through the means and the "six wings" of modern science, spread the Message of Baha'u'lhih, rapidly throughout the world? As far as is presently known, there is nothing in nature with "six wings". Does this not indicate that modern science will supply the power THE RAINBOW OF and speed of "six wings" to fulfill this amazing prophecy? . The great vision of Daniel, chapter 7, disclosed about 535, B.C., PROMISE , ,f' ,I ) John looked again, "And I .-saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open'the boqk; and to loose the seals thereof?' And no man in heaven, .nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look there- CHAPTER V on" - v.2,3. John wept ,much because no one was' found. worthy to open the the book, to read the book, ,or even to look::thereon. THE MIGHTY BOOK "And one of the elders saith unto' me, !'Weepnot: 'behold, the SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to The Glorious Throne Appears open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereM'."-,,-v. '5. There are many explanations about the Lion of the tribe of Juda, "The essence of religion is to testify that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book."- the Root of David. It has often been interpreted as referring to B.W.F. p. 140. Christ. Christ, however, was not the Root of David, but the descendant of David, while verse five states that Juda.was the Root of David. Jesse. the father of David, .of1he line of Juda, is the' John is now lifted in spirit to where he can examine more Root of David. Christ was not the Lion of-the tribe ofJuda, but closely the One upon the Throne, "And I saw in the right hand came, in the symbol of sacrifice, as a lamb ordained for slaughter of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the from the foundation of the world. Further research from many backside, sealed with seven seals."--v. 1. The right hand is a sources confirms this. symbol of power, and "him that sat upon the throne,"-the H must constantly be kept in mind that the Book of Revela- Throne of Divine Splendor, is the manifestation of God. This tion is the Revelation of Jesus the Christ, "to show the things "book" is declared to-bettIe Word of God as revealed by all the whiCh must shortly coineto pass," after 96A.D::.....Rev. 1:1. The Divine Messengers of God, and it has been prophetically a sealed One amidst the "seven golden . candlesticks/' the One that book until the coming of the Promised One. That which was "holdeth the seven stars in His right hand," the One that sitteth written on the backside of the book, and not sealed, is the Word on the throne has been' identified, in previous : chapters, to be of God revealed by the Bab heralding the New Age and the Glory Baha'u'lIah, Who holds the book in His right hand, Who is of the of God, Lord of the New Age. line of Jesse, the Root' ofá"David. '''Christ, was', descended At the time of the great vision of Daniel, the Lord said unto genealogically from Abraham, Isaac, Juda and Jesse, the father of him: "But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, David, through Mary. the' Virgin.- There His genealogical line even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and know- ends as He left no physical heirs."-Matt. 1:1-16- ledge shall be increased."-Dan. 12:4 "And one said ... 'How It is interesting to note that a second genealogical line. of long shall it be to the end of these wonders?' And I heard the Baha'u'llah has also been traced back to Abraham, through ano-' man ... swear by him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, ther Jesse, one of the 6 sons of Katurah who migrated to Central times, and a half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter Asia.-Shoghi ,Effendi to the Hand Agnes Alexander. May' 12,á the power of the holY people, all these things shall be finished."- 1937, Josephus,á p; 327. "He derived His descent, on the one Dan. 12:6,7. "And I heard, but I understood not; then said I hand from Abraham 'the Father of the Faithful' through His wife again, '0 my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?' And He Katurah, and on the other from Zoroaster, as well as from Yazdisaid, 'Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed gird, the last King of the Sasaniyan Dynasty.á. He was' moreover till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, a -descendant of Jesse, and belonged. ,through His.' father, Mirza . and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked Abbas, better known as Mirza Buzurg-'-a nobleman closely asso~ shall understand; but the wise shall understand'."-Dan. 12:8-10. ciated with the ministerial circles of the Court or Fath-'Ali Shah. ./ ) 24 ' 25

-to one of the most ancient and renowned families of Mazinda- the book that "was sealed with the seven seals", from the One ran."-G.P.B. p.94. "He is the rod come forth out of the stem of that sat upon the throne. The Bab declared, about His own book, Jesse" and the "Branch grown out of His roots." Thus both "The Bayan deriveth all its glory from Him Whom God shaH Christ and Baha'u'llah stemmed from Jesse, the father of David, as make manifest! All blessings be upon him who believeth in Him foretold. "Who shall be established upon the Throne of David," and woe betide him who rejecteth His truth."-W.O.B. p. 101. Who "will come with strong hand," Who "shall judge among "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the the nations," Who "shall smite the earth with the rod of four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every His mouth, and with the breath of His lips slay the wicked," and one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the Who "sball assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together prayers of the saints." -v .8. This is a beautiful symbol of unitthe dispersed ofJuda from the four eorners of the earth."-G.P.B. ing the áprayers of the devoted. ones into a spiritual fragrance as pp. 94-95. they all joyfully sang a new song, which is a new Revelation. It Thus we see that it was He, Bah:\.'u'lI;ih, Who sat on the is significant that they recognized the station and authority of the Throne with the book in His right ham!. He it was Who "hath Bab as they sang, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." the seals thereof."-v.9. -v.5. Is not Christ revealing that He, Baha'u'lhih, is the Lion Then John heard the voice of many angels "round about the of the tribe of Juda, Who would open the Book? Then John saw throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them in the midst of the twentyfour elders and of the four beasts, was ten thousand times ten' thousand, andáthousands áof thous- "a Iamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and ands." -v.II. Thus there were ámyriads of them acclaiming the seven eyes - which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into worthiness, strength, honor, wisdom and glory orthe Bab." "And all the earth."-v.6. The lamb, we have always thought referred every creature which is in heaven; and on the earth, and under only to Christ, "ordained for slaughter from the foundation of the the earth ;and such as are in the sea, ... Heard ISayihg, Blessing,' world," but this particular lambcould 110t possibly refer to Christ, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto himáá that sitteth upon . for three reasons. First, Christ is revealing the things "which the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and: ever."-v.13 .. What must be hereafter," after 96 A.D., and Christ had been martyred a glorious spectacle of adoration was John. permitted to see and' in 33 A.D.; second, Christ was not the only Prophet Who had a hear, as Christ revealed it, of the One on the' Throne,and of theá violent martyrdom. The Rib, the Prophet-Herald of Baha'u'I/ah Bab the Lamb of God, ordained for sacrifice "from the foundation also had the station of the Lamb "ordained for slaughter from the of the worId!"-I Peter I:20-Rev.H:S.i 'iá foundation of the world." Christ and the Bab were the only Ones Who were horribly and outrageously martyred. Third, this other Lamb had "seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." -v.6. The seven horns refer to seven countries under the rule of the Umayyad Dynasty, or Bani-Umayya, who dominated ISlam.--S.A.Q. p.79. The seven eyes refer to the power of the Bab to open the books of the seven Divinely Revealed Religious Systems, one of which is Christianity, founded by Christ. Therefore, this Lamb is the second Lamb the Bab Who "came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne."-v.7. This is a very important statement. Christ is here declaring that, though the Bab had the station of Prophethood, yet He received His power to open ) )

helpful except when .man puts them ,in place of the-Ward of God'. Unfortunately many peopW,are confused, and have 'lost the power to distinguish. between the Word of God and that which has been added or said about it. The . white ,horse> rides forth; CHAPTER VI conquering and to conquer; with a crown, but' not a golden one, that is, without Divine Authority; with a bow, without an arrow; THE LAMB that is, without power to reach the soul. Theology has authority I.

Opening the Seven Seals but not Divine Authority.' As people'ttJrn:moreand more to the soul-stirring Word of God-as revealed by the Revelator for .this "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and new cycle, to the Word written by His Pen,tthere will be less and , sealed till the time of the end. "-Dan. 12: 9. less need for the confusing and contradictory human conceptions and interpretations, and the power.of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God will penetrate the minds and souls." , !,' Slowly the veil lifts. . "God, and' God alone,' has' the: power. to do whatever He Scholars for twenty centuries have been interpreting in wills, and the greatest proof; of 'a Manifestation of God is the various ways the meaning of the "seven seals". In the Promul- creative power of His' word-its effectiveness to change and gationof Universal Peace, 'Abdu'l-Baha, speaking in America transform all human affairs and to triumph over all human oppostated: ."The Revelations of St. John are not to be taken literally sition. Through the Word of the prophets God announces His but spmtually. These are the mysteries of God. It is not the Will, and the immediate or subsequent fulfillment' of that word reading of the Word that profits you; it is the understanding of is the clearest proof of the prophet'.s claimá and of the genuinetheir meanings. Therefore pray God that you may be enabled to ness of his, inspiration." "-'B.N.E. p. -285. The power of the comprehend the mysteries of the divine Testaments." -P.U.P. Word of God will make ,theology' unnecessary, in, the New p. 455. 'Abdu'l-Baha stressed the need of studying the Book of Cycle.'" "~,I! [.

~evela~i?n that the inner meaning may be revealed, thus bring- The Lamb then opened the second seatá. ,"And there:went mg spmtual comprehension of the Divine Teachings. John saw out another horse that was red: 'and power was given to him . that the Lamb begin to open the seals of the Book, which is the Word sat thereon to take peace from the earth, andáthatthey should of God as revealed by all the Divine Revelators.-v.1. The Bab, kill one another; and there was given unto him a great sword;"- the second Lamb, opened the first seal; "And I saw, and behold vA. The red horse has usually .been taken asa symbol of war. a white horse; and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crOWn This rider had a great sword .in his hand, .with which, he took was given untohim;and he went forth conquering, and to con- peace from ,the; earth. ,This red, horse has been riding forth for quer."-v.2. : avery long time, but it will not De riding' very, long, in :the; new It is interesting to note that, throughout Sacred Writings, a cycle .. All Prophets of the past have foretold the. day ofuniversal horse usually means something riding forth. This rider had a bow but peace. In the Psalms of David, we' read: , "The' Lord will give no arrow; and a crown, but not a golden crown. One of the meanings strength unto His people; The Lord . will ; bless His:' people with is that the white horse and its rider symbolize theology which rides peace."-Psalms 29:11.á Haggai also foretold: "The glory of this forth in the semblance of true religion. True religion is the Word latter house shall be greater than of thei,former.,;saith the Lord of of God as given by His Divine Messengers; Theology is man's Hosts; and in .this place will r!give, peace, saith' the Lord of conce~t.ion of it. Therefore, theology is of human origin, often Hosts."-Hag .. 2:9.á 'Abdu'I-Baha,lforetells peace in these beauticontaJnlllg not only man's conception of the nature of God, but fUlwords: "True civilization will unfurl .its banner in the midmost also man-made laws and ordinances, which may be good and heart of the. world whenever a certain number:of its distinguish- ) ed and high-minded sovereigns '" shall '" arl'se ... t a esta hI'IS h famine and crime. When the people turn toward God, there is the Cause of Universal Peace."--W.O.B. p. 37. . progress, and spiritual life and peace. 'Abdu'l-Baha taught that, W~en the Lamb opened the third seal, John saw a black "Heaven is the state of perfection, and Hell that of imperfection; horse rIde forth whose rider had a pair of balances in his hand. Heaven is harmony ,,,,ith God's' will and with our fellows, and And were they in balance? No, there Was a measure of wheat Hell is the want of such harmony;. Heaven is the condition of in one side and a penny in the other; and again three measures spiritual life, and Hell that of spiritual death."-'B.N.E.pp. 231, of barley in on e side and a penny in the other. It was all out of 232. Therefore, we see that the disturbing four horsemen of the balance: signifying the injustice that has long been riding in our Apocalypse cannot ride forth in the New Age. econonllc, educational and social systems. Although the black "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the hor~e has been riding forth for centuries, hl a loose-jointed altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and socIety there ar~ .inn~merable. statements fortelling the passing for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud of the old age of IIlJushce and dIsunity and the dawn of the new voice, saying, How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not Day, when the light of justice and unity wiII shine throughout judge and avenge our blood on' them that dwell on the earth? the world. Baha:u'lhih has declared: "The day, however is And white robes were given unto everyone of them; and it was ~pp~oach~n?, ~h:n the faithful will behold the Day Star' of said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until JustIce shInIng In Its full splendor from the Day Spring of glory." their fellow servants and their brethrendhat should be killed as -GJ. p. 342. they were, should be fulfilled."-v. 9~11. Those who are gather- When the Lamb, the Bab, opened the fourth seal John saw ed under the altar' are the martyrs of each Dispensation of the a pale horse, which some might call an anemic looking horse Prophets of God. ,The 'early believers in ,each, Religious' System with a rider whose name was Death. "HeII followed with him: have met with the utmost opposition, persecution and cruelty at And pow~r ~as given unto them, over the fourth part of the the hands of their fellow countrymen. They died as did the e~rth to kill wjth sword, and with hunger, and with death, and martyrs for Christ, Muhammad, and all the Prophets of God. WIth the beasts of the earth."-v. 8. Death does not mean the The first believers faced these calamities with sublime heroism, death of the body only, as is usually taught, but the absence of steadfastness and loving kindness as they gave their lives for the spiritual life. Hell is remoteness fr0111 God, and heaven is near- Cause of God. These martyrs were told to wait until a later ness to God. Resurrection is the birth of the individual to time when others would be added to their number. Twenty spirituallife through the gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed throu h thousand of the most sincere,and devoted people of Persia, many t~e Manifestations of God. Never before in the history of ma~ of the most learned, were grossly tortured and massacred before kmd has. there been so much godlessness and atheistic thought and after the time of the execution of the Bab, thusfulfiIling this an~ "stygian darkness" as there is today, even among our youth, prophecy. The love of God transmutes suffering into joy, martyrwhICh fulfills the prophetic symbol of the pale horse riding forth dom into reward and heavenly bliss."" ' T~e ~ivine ~evelator for the new cycle warns: "They that hav~ Now we come to the opening of the sixth seat, which is full dIsbeheve~ l.n God al~d rebelled. against His sovereignty are the of meaning for us .. ' "And I beheld when he hadopened.the sixth, helpless vIctIms of theIr corrupt ll1clinations and desires. These seal, and, 10, áthere was a great earthquake;: and the sun became shall return to their abode in the fire of hell; ... wretched is the black as sack-cloth of hair, and the moon, became as blood;, And abode of the deniers!"-B.W.F. p. 112.

I the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even. as, a,fig ,tree casteth: It is encouraging to realize that this fourth horse cannot her untimely figs, ,when she is shaken oCa ,mightywind, . .And the always ride forth. For we have entered a New Day, a New heaven departed as a scroll when, it is ;rolled together; and every Age, a New Cycle. There is a new consciousness, a new creation. mountain and island were moved out oftheir,places." -v. 1,2á14. Whenever the spirit of godlessness rides forth, there is evil, In the QUI'an we read : ::,!: <: 'ii,. '"

I 30 31 "When the sun shall be shrouded, miles of the earth's surface, and greatly surpassed áanything of the And when the stars shall fall, kind ever recorded in áhistory."-ThomasHunter in:"Historical And when the mountains are made to pass away ... Account of Earthquakes." (London)-pp;,n-74'< 'The: Lisbon And when the leaves of the Book shall be unrolled Earthquake is the greatest on record between the time of Christ And when the heaven shall be uncovered ' and the birth of Bah:i'u'llah in'18I7. Thus the first of these signs . , And when hen shall be made to blaze." ~Surih 1xxxi bore its warning message to men, in the midst of an 'age of ration- . This is a renewed statement of the same siol;s tha~ Christ alism and unbelief, and by' turning their' thoughlstoward the gave, as quoted in Matthew 24 and Luke 21:25-28. Christ had earth's instability and human helplessness, gradually awakened told His disciples that He was going to leave them but that He them to the Love of God. The first of these signs was, therefore, would come again unto them. They were very much troubled for fulfilled in 1775. they loved Him devotedly, and did not want Him to leave them The second great sign given by Christ became known histori- Tllen the disciples asked, "When shall these things be? and wha~ cally as "The Dark Day". "On May 19, 1780, the birds, animals shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" and people rose as usual and sang their morning 'songs," as one -Matt. 24:3. Christ reemphasized ill His Revelation to John account stated. "By 10:00 A.M., a thická darkness covered the (Rev. 6: 12-14) five of these great signs that would occur before His land, and they again went to bed." return and the end of the cycle: 1. A great earthquake. 2. The In the "Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and darkening of the sun and moon called "The Dark Day." 3. The Sciences," published in Boston in 1785; kN. Hollis, Professor of shower, or ~alling, of stars. 4. The heaven departed as a scroll. Mathematics and Philosophy in theá' University' of Cambridge, ~. The movlllg of mountains and islands. He spoke of the tribula- Massachusetts, wrote a lengthy article about 'the remarkable tIOns of the days preceding these signs, which things seem to darkness of this Dark Day which lasted from fifteen to twenty have be:~ ~ulfilled in the terrible crimes of feudalism, the dread- hours. He stated thatthe darkness was not caused bi any eclipse, ful I.nqulsltlOn, and the shaking events in the European world which is proven by relative positions of the planets of our systems lead~ng to. the Fren~h Revolution. Toward the close of the days at that time; for the 'moon was more than 1SO' degrees from the of tnbulatlOl1, the LIsbon earthquake occurred in ] 775. sun on that day. Although it was time for a full moori, it did not So amazing were some of the historical events that have been shine. There were no clouds or smoke that could cause' suchá an considered as fulfillment that it would be worth while to consider extended darkness, in which even artificial light seemed to' make them one by one. Professor W.H. Hobbs, geologist, states: "The no impression.-pp.244.246.' Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal, in some respects, takes firstá place edition á1883, gives an account o(this unexplainable darkness and am~ng al}, recorded ea~thquakes ... Jn six minutes 60,000 people ends by stating that "the true cause of :this remarkableLphenomepenshed. In "The LIfe of Voltaire," the English author, James , non is unknown." This was confirmed' from many sources and the W. Parton states: "At twenty minutes to ten 011 the morning of historical cause of the darkness has yet to be explained. John November, I, 1775, Lisbon was finn and magnificent, on one of Greenleaf Whittier wrote of this event in his noted poem entitled the most pIcturesque and commanding sites in the worId-a city of "Abraham Davenl'0rt". . . r' , ~ .I superb approach. In six minutes the great city was in ruins ... half of the world feIt the convulsion ... Jn Sweden,Africa and the West THE DARK DAY Indies ... the perturbations were felt for more than a month after- ... by: . JOHN. GREENLEAF WHITTIER;:: ',;.,: ,'" ward, even in distant parts of Europe." - Vol. II, pp. 208-209. "The .~ conflagration lasted a whole week. There was a tidal wave and 1. : , "Meanwhile in the old Statehouse, dim as ghosts~ floods. Six. million people were affected by this great earthquake and the effects were distributed over nearly four milIionsquare II Sat the lawgivers ofConnecticut, ;') ,~ :

I I i " I 32 33 Trembling beneath their legislative robes. tators and with so much astonishment and fear by another class." 'It is the Lord's Great Day! Let us adjourn!' - Vol. 25, p. 363. Another astronomer,' Professor . Simon . New, Some said; and then, as with one accord, comb, states that this phenomenal, exhibition of faIling stars is All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport. the most remarkable one ever .observed." -" Astronomy for Every- He rose, slow cleaving with his steady voice body."-p. 280. The French astronomer, Flammarion, wrote: The intolerable hush, 'This well may be "At the moment of maximum it was like half the number of The day of judgment which the world a\vaits': snowflake& which we perceive in the air during an ordinaryáshow., er of snow, estimated at thirty four thousand. stars an bour."- 2. Popular Astronomy"á-p. 536. Dr. Humphreys of St. ; John's But be it so or not, I only know College, Annapolis, Maryland, wrote in "The American Journal My present duty, and my Lord's command of Science"-Vol. 25, p. 372, "In the words of most people,' they To occupy till He come. So at the post feIl like flakes of snow." Dr. H.H. Jessup, Professor at the Pres- Where He hath set me in H is providence byterian College of Beirut, describes the scene in his "Fifty- I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face, Three Years in Syria;" "On the morning of the fourteenth No faithless servant, frightened from my task, (November), at three o'clock, I was roused from a deep sleep by But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls; the voice of the young man calling, 'The stars are coming down!' ... And therefore, with all reverence, I would say, The meteors poured down like a rain of fire blown byá a mighty Let God do His work, we will see to ours. wind. Many of them were large and varicolored, and left behind Bring in the candles." them a long train of fire. One immense green meteor came down over Lebanon, seeming as large as the moon, and exploded with a Christ, looking across the unrolled scroll of history, gave these loudnoise, leaving a greenpiJIar ofJighUn its train. It.was vain unusual signs and said, "The endis not yet."-Matt. 24:6. We to attempt to count thein, and the display -continued until dawn, have, first, the great earthquake, unlike anything before in history; when their light was obscured by the king of day ... The Mohamsecond, the dark day, unlike anything else in previous history, medans gave the call to prayer from the minarets, and the comthe moon becoming as blood; and then, the third sign, when "the mon people were in terror." "Fifty-Three Years in Syria". Vol. I, stars of heaven fell upon the earth; even as a fig tree casteth her pp. 316, 317. ' untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." -v. 13. Thoughtful people were awed by the fulfillment of the prophe- Meteoric displays or swarms of shooting stars have been observed tic signs of Christ. Professor Alexander Twining, civil engineer, since the dawn of history; but this phenomenon coming in the late instructor at Yale University wrote of theá flaming visitants. order foretold by Christ in Matthew24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and from space; "Had they held on their course unabated for three Revelation 6, is momentous. seconds longer, half a continentá- must, to all ~ appearances, have An English scientist, Thomas Milner, F.R.G.S. wrote that been involved in unheard of calamity . . But that Almighty Being "The attention of astronomers in Europe and all over the world Who made the world, and knew its dangers, gave it also its armawas roused by this celestial display on the night of November ture, endowing the atmospheric medium around it with protecting 12-13, 1833, when the falling stars like a tempest broke over the no less-than-life-sustaining properties." "It is not meet that such earth pelting North America from the Gulf of Mexico to Halifax." occurrences as those of November 13th should leave no more "The Gallery of Nature."-p. 141. Denison Olmsted, Professor of solid and permanent effect upon the human mind than the im- A stronomy at Yale, wrote in the "American Journal of Science": pression of a splendid scene."-"Am. Journal of Science," Vol. "Probably no celestial phenomenon has ever occurred which was 26, p. 351 (1834). Multitudes felt that. the great Creator had viewed with so much admiration and delight by one class of spec- spoken to man with terrible magnitude and power in this notable. ) 34 35 wonder of His heavens, foretold by Christ. A Missouri paper literal fulfillment consonant with the continued. existence of-our published an account that "Everything wore the aspect and hue universe as we know from other references, but which: means the of death, occasioned by the continued, pallid glare of these countá roIling up of the old cycle and the' rapid decline of religious less meteors, which in all their grandeur flamed lawless as though authority. Today we see the staggering forces of disintegration blown by a mighty wind, through the sky ... There was scarcely a undermining the old world order, 'putrid with corruption, and we space in the firmament, or on the earth, which was not filled at see many evidences of the New World Order, which will be the every instant with these falling stars, or could you, in general, foundation of the Golden Age of Peace. "Soon," Bahli'u'lI<ih perceive any particular difference in appearance." "There was a states; "will the present-day Order be rolled' up, and a new one grand, peculiar and indescribable gloom on all around, an awe- spread out in its stead."-B.N.E. p. 279 & G1. p. 7. inspiring sublimity on all above; while the sanguine flood rolled a The fifth sign is that "every mountain and island were moved broad slaughter o'er the plains of heaven. And nature's self did out of their places."-v. 14. Taken literally this would be astonseem to totter on the brink of time!" - Vol. 26, "American Jour- ishing. "Mountains" usually refer to those things that we thought nal of Science," p. 372, 382, (1834). Newcomb and other scien- would stand forever, such as our social and political systems, our tists stated that there was no known explanation for this pheno- economic and even our monetary system: :iEvery, thinking person f

menon. Although there had been great showers of stars in 1599, knows that nothing is permanent. Today; all things are under- 1799, 1833 and 1867, one like that of November 13, 1833, has going very rapid changes .. The world is in a' state 'of transition. never happened before or since in the records of man kind. The "mountains" of yesterday are being rolled away to make way Christ foretold that immediately after the shower of stars, which for a more glorious world of tomorrow. The "islands" are usually occurred on November 13, 1833, "then shall appear the sign of interpreted as referring' to those isolating or separating forces the Son of Man in Heaven: ... and they shall see the Son of Man such as dogmas, creeds,: traditions, 'ceremonies;'and" denominacoming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."- tionaldifferences which dividepeople,'ratherthan unite them: ..... Matt. 24:30. "And ... thenlook up, and lift up your heads; for These things shall be moved out oftheir places and the rich your redemption draweth nigh."-Luke 21:28. The only sign of men, the rulers and the mighty men and' all men of earth shall the Son of Man in the phenomenal heavens is the sign of Aquarius be filled with fear when the hour of their judgment is come-that in the astronomical zodiac, or clock of the heavens-the man hour when every institution, every system and ideology and every with the watering pot pouring out a stream of water, which human soul, shall be tested. "The Day of Judgment," all the means spiritual knowledge or truth. It was on March 21,1844, Prophets of God teach, "is the Day of the new Manifestation, by that the sun crossed the vernal equinox, entered the sign of the acceptance or rejection of whose Revelation the sheep are Aquarius, and a great new astronomical cycle began. It was on separated from the goats, for the, sheep knowthe voice of the May 23, 1844, that the Bcibmade His great declaration that the Good Shepherd and follow'Him."-B.N.E. p. 34. cycle had ended, that a new Day had dawned, and that "The In the Book of Certitude, Baha'u'lla hexplains that all these Anticipated One", "Whom God shall make manifest," would signs are both symbolical and historical'an'dare not to be underappear, He, Baha'u'lJ<ih, the Glory of God! In considering Rev. stood in their literal sense only. For instance, earthquakes 1:13, it was clearly established that One like unto the Son of Man, symbolize the great changes, which take place in human affairs at was made manifest. Christ spoke much about the Promised One the end of the old cycle, such as the social, political and ecclesias- Who would usher in the great Day of Judgment, and told of the tical upheavals which shake the very foundations of established regeneration when the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of the traditions.' Darkness ~symbolizes spiritual apathy, and oppression Father. when the pure teachings of the ,. spiritual Suns have become obs- "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled to- cured byá misrepresentation, misunderstanding and' prejudice. gether;"-v. 14. This is the fourth sign which could not have a Th e "Falling of Stars" indicates that religious leaders have be-

come debased andworldly-millded.-B.N.E. pp. 278-279. Scanning the pages of recorded history, in the light of the Word of God, we begin to glimpse the unrolling, majestic Plan of God, the fulfillment of the signs given by Christ of the Manifestation of the Holy Spirit again upon the earth, and the awe-inspir- CHAPTER VII ing Divine purpose of God to awaken men to know and to worship Him. SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD . Howard Colby Ives expresses this beautifully in these lines Sealing 144,000 of the Servants from THE SONG CELESTIAL. "The Holy Spirit it is, which through the mediation of the Prophets of "God Speaks: God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal For, in this gloomy and disastrous age Life."-W.AB. p. 51 . Man may perceive, if he will scan My Page, The secret of Creation. There is he , ,] Told of My Wisdom; for Humanity Scientists have devoted an immense amount of study to life Hath borne indeed its noblest fruit; My love in its various expressions in the vegetable and animal kingdoms; Disclosed in Man his Lord, that he may prove but they have failed thus far to devote the same kind of study to All things and thereby with My aid may reach the life of the spiritual kingdom. Every human being is striving The summit of the truth I fain would teach, consciously or unconsciously to gain more of the inner. realities That all men's probing eye and mind can see and the light of the spirit. Chapter VII opens the door to one of Hath but one purpose, to discover Me." the most prOfound truths, of which aU souls must sooner. or later' become aware. In the preceding chapters,'Christ has given many signs which have already been fulfilled. ; ;~'And; afterá these things, I saw four angels standing on the four .comers of the ~arth,. holding back the four winds of the earth,that.thewind should, .not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor onanyátree."-c-v.1. Could it be that the four winds were destined to ':decimate. everything upon the earth? Then a :mighty angelcame,;"having the seal of the living God; and He cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the 'earth and the sea; Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the .sea, nor the trees, till we :have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."-v. 2.3. "In'whom also after that yebelieved" ye. were sealed with that holy spirit of promise".-Eph. 1:13. "And grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."-Eph. 4:30. :' ~. !'"it ~ ',"">,

THE SHOWER The mighty angel commanded the forces of destruction to be held back until the :.~chosen á.ones" .had received the seal of the OF STARS living G~d. 'Abdu'l-Baha explains that before man's spirit becomes quickened, his days' pass in mere ; existence; but. when he )

grasps the reality of things and their profound inner truths, he ability and capacity to serve on which account they become of grows in perception, understanding and radiance. Only when the 'chosen' and not of the 'called'."-T.AB. p.l09. his soul becomes afire with the Holy Spirit and he arises to serve, Another important key is "After this", the words with which then is he sealed in the forehead with the seal of the living God, the ninth verse begin. "After this I beheld, and, 10, a great and becomes one of the "chosen ones".-P. V.P. p. 330. multitude, which no man could number, of all nationsá and kind- "And I heard the number of them which were sealed."-v.4. reds and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before All through the Sacred Writings, when it is stated, "I saw the the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands; number" or "I heard the number," there is a very great signifi- And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which cance to the number itself. After saying this, John further stated: sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels "and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousands stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four of all the tribes of the children of Israel."-v.4. Many think that beasts, and (all the angles) fell before the throne on their faces, the "children of Israel" refers only to the Jews who are returning and worshipped God." --v. 11. "After this", meaning after the to rebuild Israel, the Israelites, but it has also another meaning. sealing of the servants of God in their foreheads, John saw multi- "Children oflsrael", means "followers of the Ligh t of God". It tudes that no man could number who were given "white robes was foretold, in Isaiah 62:2, "and thou shalt be called by a new and palms," signifying the heavenly qualities with which the name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." Today the most servants became adorned. "Palms" denote the cause of praise and universal name, which the mouth of the Lord hath named, is thanksgiving, as when Christ entered aJ erusalem on "Palm Sunday" "Bahi'i", meaning "Followers of the Light of God." The amidst the songs of praise and thanksgiving. In the vision of the "hundred and forty and four thousand" resolves to a nine of things to come the unnumbered multitudes were given palms as the sum of the digits and so designates completion and unity. they stood before the throne and the Lamb. The angels round Nine, which is the numericaL value of "Bah a", is the highest about die throne and therotir beasts, and the follrand twenty number and from it all other numbers are made, in our number elders bowed before the throne and the Lamb in recognition and system, the sum and the multiple of the units resolves to nine. in reverence. John was asked, "What are these which are arrayed Symbolically speaking, it means all those who have gained the in. white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto.him, Sir, "~~1ified ?rá nine-c~nsciousness" in recognition of the unity, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out dlvllle statIOn, and lIght of all of God's Revelators, and have be- of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them come servants of the latest Messenger of God, Bahi'u'llih. The white in the blood of the Lamb."-v. 13, 14.. The ones who are tribes of the children of Israel are symbolic, not only of the spiri- given the white robe and the palms, are those who, because of tual part ofJacob's descendants, but of all who have attained the their suffering in the greattribulation, were compelled to recognize "Unified or nine-consciousness." "For he is not a Jew, which is the One upon the throne. Those who come after the great tribula- . one outwardly; ... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardIy."-Rom. tion which is yet to come, are also given the palms. "Disappoint- 2:28,29. "For there is no difference between the Jew and the ment and the frustration of hopes shall surround the people from Greek; ... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord every direction until they are obliged to turn to God." "All the shall be saved."-Rom. 10:12, 13. people of the world will become believers ...Unquestionably. all All of the tribes of the Children' of Israel, such as Juda, will come under the shadow of the .Cause of God."-B.N.E. p. Reuben, etc., that were sealed, mean symbolically, all the 302. followers of the Light of God, who today have gained the "nine- Are all the multitudes who sing praise of the One. upon the consciousness" of recognition and risen in His service. These throne, sealed in their foreheads? In all the Sacred Writings there only are the chosen ones sealed in their foreheads. 'Abdu'I-Bahi are many references to the many who are called and the few who said, "Undoubtedly, the friends of God have been endowed with are chosen. 'Abdu'l-Baha explains in these words; "His High- ) ) ness the Almighty hath chosen the friends from among the con- i 1

il ;: course of men and hath especialized them with the most eminent guidance and the highest gift."-T.AB. p. 568: and He continues, "there are many who áare invited, but those souls who are signalized with grace and favor of guidance are but very rare." . CHAPTER VIII , .' -T.AB.p.372. . , ': : , ;' ~ . ,i

Only those who rise to serve before the great tribulation are SEVEN TRUMPETS . sealed in their foreheads as a special bounty and gift of God! For . The TwelVe Imams " ' f .,

example, much as we may desire to be one of the disciples or apos.tles of Christ or of any of the Prophets of God, that is' im- "We have put enmity and hatred between them that shall last until' pOSSIble. That is a special bounty given to the chosen ones in the Day of Resurrection. Oft as they kindle' a. beacon; fire for war each .disp~nsation. It is the bounty of God given to the chosen shaH God quench it."-Qur'an, Surih 69. ones II1 thIS Day who with loving consecration arise in the service of Baha'u'llah before the great tribulation comes to try all the world. The drama unfolds '.: Then the promise is given that "he that sitteth on the throne Throughout Sacred Writings, angels are usually referred to shall dwell among them."-v.15. That is, He will appear in the as messengers of God, such were the angels, who cameáto, Daniel physical world in a human body to teach the laws of life for the in the lion's den; to Jacob in his moment of fear; to Abraham as a ne~ cycle. Then the glorious day will dawn when they will warning of the destruction of Sodom; to Lot warning him and his n~Itherhunger nor thirst, nor weep any more, for the Lamb, the family to leave that corrupt city; to Peter' when he wasá released Bab, shall lead them to the "living fountains of water", which is from prison; and suchá also were the Heavenly Hosts who prothe ~ord of God as poured forth and revealed by Baha'u'IJah. claimed the birth of the Christ Child. God IS caIli~g you and has chosen those who are worthy and . When the seventh seal was opened, John. saw . "seven angels ready for thIS great bounty and service. Christ declared, "many which stood before God; and to them were given seventru.m~ are called but few are chosen". -Matt. 20:16. pets." - v. 2. A "trumpetindicatesthe heralding of. a .message; 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "Verily God has chosen you for His love or a call to prayer. The Christians of that period ,used a clapper, an~ ~nowledg~; God has chosen you for the worthy service of to proclaim, the Jews used trumpets, and ;theá: Zoroastrians, u01:ymg m~nkll1d; God has chosen you for the purpose of investi- bonfires. Baha'u'llah has stated: "By 'angels'; is' meant those. gatIng reahtyand promUlgating international peace; God has who, reinforced El the power of the spirit. have~onsumed with chosen, you for the p~og:ess and development of humanity, for the fire of the love of God, all human traits and á.limitatjons. 'and spreadmg and proclannll1g pure education, for the expression of have clothed. themselves with. the attributesQf.the most exalted love toward your fellow-creatures and the removal of prejudice; ~d of the-Cherubim."-Igan. pp~.Christ foretold ~od has chosen you to blend together human hearts and give in this Revelation th-at~--when each one' of these angels would lI~ht to the human world. The doors of His generosity are wide, appear upon the earth and blow his trumpet, disturbing things wIde open to us but we must be attentive, alert and mindful would llappen whichá would clear away the debris of corruption occupied with service to all mankind, appreciating the bestowal~ in order that the Day of God might dawn. • "Consider the days of God and ever conforming to His will." -P.D.P. p. 329. . of Jesus, when there was only a small body of people, and then observe the great tree which grew from that .seed and. what! an abundant fruit it produced. This day is greaterjthan that, .foras~ much as it is the. ~alling o~the LQr,d ofHosts and,:the iVoice of the?rum?et of the Living God , .. Verily this great cycle (dispen- According to the Bible that idea or realization is the anti-Christ., sa.tlOn) wIll encompass all horizons and ultimately all the nations The Revelator always comes in the flesh to reveal the Law of WIll gather together under this standard."-T.AB. pp. 10, 11. God and the Word of God. "Hereby know, ye' the Spirit of God: "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the fte~h m~ngled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth; and the is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus ChrIst thIrd part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit' of anti- And .the se~ond angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain Christ, whereof ye have heard that it should 'come; and even noW burnmg wIth fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the .-r already is in the world."-I John 4:2,3;- Again,' Qur'an 61:6 says: ~ea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were c,\A;~~ "And remember that Jesus the Son of Mary said, :'Ochildreriof III the sea and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were ~,/~ Of a tr~th I amGod's apostle to you_ to confir~ the la~ destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great ;}./r-.d which was gIven before.! !tnd to announce an apE,gle tha.!~l ,st~r from heaven" burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the come after me, Whose name shall be Ahma.9J' "'(The Muslims thIrd part of the nvers, and upon the fountains of watersá And the State the "Cofi1fOiier"--in John 16:7, á14:6, and 15:26 -as the.. name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third p~rt of the Paraclete, or Illustrious, which is the meaning -'of "Ahmad") waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters "Muhammadsaid, according to an indubitable Hadith (tradition): because they were made bitter."-v.7-11. Could this be ~ "I have five names: I am Muhamm~9; and Ahmad; a~d Effacing, sY~,bolic warning that a third of things that had life would die by means of which"""'God effaces infidelity; ~Qruh.er~, Who s~IfItually because they drank of the waters that were made will gather people; and Final,' that is to say,; the:Lastof the bItt~r and th~re would be great destruction? Was this fulfilled Prophets." (for the Adamic Cycle).-Ali Tabari, op. cit,p. 42; dun~g the penod of the Muhammadan Dispensation, as shown Baha'u'llah calls Muhammad "God's Well-beloved."-WOB for . Instance ? in "Mahomet . .and . . His Successors" ,a by' Wá' s1á lIng t-on' p. 106. And theBab states that had the' Christian divines of a I rvmg. - former age' recognized the truth of Muhammad's mission. they .!here are a number of p.r~n both the Old and New would have been followed by the mass of their'co~religionists. Testaments which proclaim the advent of Muhammad. "The G.P.B. p. 26. ", < ;:"

Lord came from Sinai, and rose up in Seir unto them; He shi~ Let us consider the period of history to which Christ was fo~th from ~ount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of referring. In each dispensation' there have been twelve holy _salllts; from h.IS right hand w~t a fierYIaw for them."-DeuT souls or di~ciples, who ha~e est~1?liS]1~TI~' pr~oted the _~aitli ~3:2. ~ IS a mountain in ArabIa, and all Bible reference to of the Founder. Jacob had twelve' sons;there}Vere:...Lw_eTVe It ~note IsI~~; ~efers to~es,and~ir, a mountain in chiefs who foiiQw~d. Mos~:' and Christ called His twelve disci- GaIIl~e, alludes to Jesuj. Baha'u'lhih, the Lord of HOsts,~with _2.1es.=:-Muh;~..2Ead had twelve suc_(;eSSOfSTiio~nasl~~ms,. wh.o' the fIght hand of power, brings a fiery law to unite all in this were of the lineal descent of the Prophet, except for All, HIS great new cycle. Mt. Carmel refers to Baha'u'llah, from where first Disciple, who was both His cousin and His son~in-Iaw. Some the new law went forth. &bakkuk 3:3 speaks of the "HoI 0 knowledge about these is important to understand this R.evelation ' ft~"ll~lL~~!1á" "And as for Ishmael, I have~i;earlthe:~- by Christ. ' . '. .' ,.1 Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful d 'IIá We will now consider the twelve Imams or DISCIpleS, the I . I Iá' ,an WI I m~ tIp y 1I~ exceedIngly; twelve princes shall he beget and I Holy Ones, of Muhammad, each of, whom was murdered through I wIll make hIm a great nation." -Gen. 17:20. Muhammad descend- the machinations of ambitious Caliphs (Khalifih). "The' Khalifih v ed from Abraham through Ishmael, and the twelve "princes" are of the Sunnis is merely the outward and visible Defender of the the twelve Imams. Faith: the Imam of the Shi'ahs'is the divinely 'ordained . s~~sor Many in the world still recognize Christ as only a spirit. 2fthe Prophet, o~~ who~_en~ow~Lwith ~1 perfec~~~~_ ) s?irit~al gifts, one whom all the faithful must obey, whose deci- 5. Muhammad-Baqir, son of Imam . Zaynu'l -Abidin and .S1On IS absolute and final, whose wisdom is superhuman, and his cousin Ummi-'Abdu'llah, the daughter of, .Imam _~hose words are autholit.uive,"-D.;U. p. ii. . " r. Dr. E.G. Browne says: "In a word~ the Caliphs of the Sunnis i IS merely the outward and visible Defender of the Faith' the Hasan, poisoned.-(A.H.113)á 6. Ja'far-i-Sadiq, son of Imam Muhammad-Baqir, poison- . , •. , , ..

ed.-(A.H.148) .' " :."':,' . j Imam of the Shi'ahs is the divinely-ordained Successor of' the Urophet."-B.w. Vol. III, p. 394. 7. Musa-Kazim, son ufImam Ja'far-i-Sadiq,born (A.H.129) poisoned (A.H.183) "'.. ,Muhammad had unmistakably appointed His successor but 8. 'Ali-ibn-i-Musa'r-Rida,' generally Imam Rlda, (Alt, III), nothing had been written down. The Qur'an, so detail~d in born (A.H.t53) poisoned (A.H.203) and buried' at other matters, does not name the successor of Muhammad in a Mashad, which derived its name and its sanctity from definite statement. However, the Prophet many times indicated him. that Ali, who was called the "Hand of God," who was His 9. Muhammad-Taqi, son' of Imam Rida, born (A.H.195) cousin, His adopted son and His son-in-law was His appointed poisoned at Baghdad, (A.H.220) . , X su~cessor. 'Abdu'l-Baha states '~uhammad was the root, and 10. 'Ali-Naqi (Ali IV), son ofImam Muhammad-Taql, born ! • '. '

..bh the branchJ}ke Moses and Joshua"-S.A.Q. p. 57. ,- (A.H. 213)poisoned at Surra-man-Ra'a, (A.H.254).' When the Prophet was returning from His fare;ell pilgrim- II. Hasan-i-'Askari, son of Imam ~Ali-Naqi, born (A.H. 232) age to Mecca, He had the caravan halt; He told the concourse of poisoned (A.H.260). ., people to gather in the shade of some thorn trees and had them 12. Muhammad, son of Imam Hasan-I-' Askan, . born build a pUlpit of saddles, near the pool of Khu~m. Then He (A.H.255) and succeeded his father in the Imama~e, ~~ raised 'Ali up and said, "Whoso hath Me as his Master hath (A.H. 260), called by ,the Shi'ahs. 'Ima~-M,lhdl, 'Alias his Master '" I have been summoned to the gate of' God 'Hujjatu'llah' (tire Proof of God),'Baqlyyatu lIah, (the and I shall soon depart ... to be concealed from you." Then H~ Remnant of God), and'Qaim-i-AI-i-Muhammad' (He spoke of .two Treasures He would leave with them: "The greatest who shall arise of the family of Muhammad) .. -From treasure IS the Book of God ... Hold fast to it and do not Jose it listing quoted in the "Dawn Breakers,~'-p:..iii., and do not change it. The other treasure is the line of My des- The twelfth Imam bore not onlyá the, same name but the cendants,"-'~ Lessons_~m", by Marzieh Gail. Muhamsame kunyih (title) Abu'l-Qasim as ,the Prophet" an~ according mad's wife, Khadijih was the first ~ believe in Him, and the first non-related person was an Ethiopean slave. to the Shi'ahs it is. not lawful for,any other ,to bear.thls name,and this kunyih together ... The Shi'ahs hold that he did not die, :but The twelve Imams, or genealogical successors of Muhammad' disappeared almost immediately after his father's death in.an .unhave been listed as follows by the Cambridge Scholar, Edward G: Browne: derground passage in Surra-man-Ra'a, A.H.~260; that he shll lIves surrounded by ~<l:,~~~~~':.!!, ba!ld 0!..J:~_~ tollowers,in one of the mys- 1. 'Ali-ibn-i-Abi-Talib, the cousin and first disciple of the terious cities,(Jabulga' _~P-<!,J..!':E~I~~;)and. that when the ful1nes~ of Prophet, assassinated ... at Kufih, (A.H. 40) A.D. 661. time is come, when the earth, is filled with injustice, and the faith- 2' Hasan, son of 'Ali and Fatimih, poisoned ... (A.H. 50) A.D. 670. ful are plunged in despair, he,will come' forth, heralded by. Jes.us 3. Husayn, son of 'Ali and Fatimih, born (A.H. 4) killed at Christ, overthrow the infidels, establish universal peace and Justice and he will inaugurate a millenium of blessedness ... Aft.er assu~ KarbiIa (A.H. 61) Oct. 10, A.D. 680. 4. '~li, son of Husayn and Shahribanu (daughter of Yazdi- ing the functions of Imam and, presiding at th~bun~lof hiS father and predecessor, the Imam Hassan-i-'Askan, he disappeargird, the last Sasaniyan king), generally called Imam ed from the sight of all save a ch.osen few, who, one ,after the Zaynu'l-Abidin, also poisoned.-(A.H. 94). other, continued to act as, channels; of. communication ,betw~en l • . LI.t.L I>~ riJ'jid. [<>.'Z.-;I-., $",-\' -H-.A.-t- -H-..t!. 'Prun-.is.c:.d. 6V\~ (.v".... lcl I • .~ ..vI'~.o,-.pVD\N," . e pp-t.r .,V I<. I q-4 ~'Y'fVDy.,. .Tet.!o""ls<:\.)/' p :z.~1)C3 "T",-t.,i\r~h t-.Mo.5:,.j rJ" e..t'V\cnr b~UM.s~. S'k.(. d ... [~ ~$'~ ~ JLfitJ ~vev e..'i'r~r~e/, W t\". i.". ""2-LP13. 11A.~ T TO Y D ' "h . " . :, him and his followers. These persons were known as "Gates." If the Dark Age obscured our fathers' sight, '. -D.B. pp. iii-iv. Must their sons shut their eyes against the Light?" Muhammad, the Prophet of God, born in Arabia, is called "God's Well-beloved" - W.O.B. p.106.; the "Faithful", and the "Seal of the Prophets." He appeared in 622 A.D. in one of the darkest countries, in the midst of illiterate, cruel and barbarous tribes; and by the purity of His heart and the Spirit which flowed through Him, He lifted those barbarous tribes into a great civilization. His Revelation was included in a Book, the Qur'an, which became the cause of enlightenment; He gave basic knowledge which became the foundation of new fields of science, and also gave the Divine Laws for a new Dispensation. The twelve Imams carried on His Message and kept it pure, but the ecclesiastical rulers changed and perverted His Message and spread the twisted teachings instead of the pure teachings of the divine Truth. When each Imam gave forth His message, the persecutions by , , ' am bitious opposers began; and during the period of the first seven Imams, the illiteracy and the impurity of heart were so great that the people were unable to comprehend the difference bet- C

ween that which was true and that which was distorted. Being incapable of withstanding the cruel, revolting persecutions, a third of the people drank of the "waters" (which means spiritual '" .,THl3';]~BUMPET' knowledge) that had been made "bitter" by distortions, "and many men died (spiritually) of the waters, because they were OF WARNING ' . ,.. ; , .I ~ ;" ; ~, .,'.:. made bitter." -v. 11. The entire eighth chapter tells the history of the first four Imams, closing with the verse which foretells of "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitors of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" -v.l3, The western world has failed to understand Muhammad and His tf!J1!lfPl(/f!!fIf!lM ',' , , . Ii '

Mission. 'Abdu'l-Baha says, "Muhammad never fought against ','.

the Christians; on the contrary, he treated them kindly and gave them perfect freedom. . .. In the edicts which he promulgated it is clearly stated that tbe lives, properties, and laws of the Christians and Jews are under the protection of God ... S.A.Q. pp. 25,26. The English writer Bishop Ken states well a searching truth in these few words: "The older error is, it is the worse, Continuation may provoke a curse; . I I

/ I ) darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the. earth; and Ut;lto them was given power, as the, scorpions of earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, CHAPTER IX neither any green thing, neither any tree; but 'only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads:" -v .1-4. THE SEVEN ANGELS Emerson, in one of his essays, says: "There is nothing more Locusts Like Scorpions bottomless than the pit of ignorance." I~many of the Sacred )Yri.tiugs, as well as in classical literature, the "bottomless pit" is God says in the Qur'an: "Take ye hold of the Cord of God all of you called the Qit of ign~~, from which the smoke of evil and the and become ye not disunited." B.W.F. p. 419 ' , beast pour forth. 'Abdu'l-Baha explain~_~ev. 11:7 about the beast in "Some Answered Questions", £:..@' as follows: "The beast that as;;-endetil o..:rt;;r thebotton1leSS' pit shall war against them, andá The Seven Angels Sound. shall overcome them and kill them, this beastá means the Bani-. One of the saddest periods of .all religious history is the one Umayya (Umayyad Dynasty of Caliphs), who attacked them from following the death of the Prophet Muhammad-a period filled the pit of error, and who rose against theá religion of Muhammad' with deception and calamities, which began with a schism forty and against the reality of 'Ali-in other words, the love of God." days after His body was laid to rest and His Spirit ascended. 'Abdu'l-Baha explains that the Bani-Umayya, the ecclesiastical History records that although the line of succession clearly went hierarchy, subverting the spiritual life spread by the Imams, through 'Ali and Fatimih, the daughter of Muhammad, the am- destroyed the divine laws and teachings of Muhammad, and bitious 'Abu Bakr claimed the right to be His successor simply substituted human rituals and forms •. Thus thereligioussyste!!l because Muhammad had asked him, during His last illness, to became like an empty vessel or a beautiful lampwitho..!:!.!-a lis.ht. lead in prayers one day in the Mosque. The Sunnis are followers ~i1The Islamic World also there are many called but of 'Abu Bakr and his line. few who are chosen. 'Ali, who was the son-iná law as well as a cousin of the Pro- The locusts are symbols of hordes of armies with deadly stings, phet, was the first "Imam", which means "spiritual leader" or like venomous scorpions that continue the persecutions for "five' "guide". The Shi'ahs believe that 'Ali and His descendants held months." "And to them it was--given that-~they shoula~nor-kill the divine right to the Imamate or Seat of Succession. Shi'ah ine~t that they should be tormented five months: and their signifies "upholders of the family of the Prophet". There were torment was asá the torment of a scorpion when it: striketh a continual strifes between the followers of both sides. Horrible man."-v. 5. the key to "time" is given by Ezekie14:6; "I have wars and massacres were bitter and revolting. The Imams were appointed thee each day for a year." Counting thirty days to a all murdered, as were most of their followers who remained steag- month, five months resolves to one hundred and fifty years, fas!, and tried to maintain the purity of Muha~. which was the period of the most horrible massacres in Islamic In the Book of Revelation, We learn that Christ foretold some history. ~ll!:i§1 even LQ[etold th!u>'~~!!~.. against tvl.l!~~.~~mad at >

of the events that would take place at this time in. the history of Uhud, nearM.edina, with men wearing helmets of brass, "like Islam. Chapter IX pictures some of these events. "And the fifth ~t-~~t ~gold, and the idolatro:us women going to battle angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: with their archers, beating their timbrels. When the Prophet was and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he wounded in the mouth by an arrow of the archer of His chief opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the enemy 'Abu Sufyan, a disciple asked Him to curse the enemy. pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were Muhammad replied, "I have not been sent as a curse to manl',","'.

) ) 50 51

kind, but as an inviter to good, and as a mercy." -"Six Lessons hereafter." -v. 12. It is strange that one should think of the on Islam", by Marzieh Gail, p. 9. Savage persecutions by His coming of the Prophet of God as a" woe, but it is ind:ed "the enemies continued throughout the entire Dispensation of great and terrible Day of the Lord," when the Pr~phet b~l11gs the Muhammad, and even to this day. 'Abdu'l-Baha explains the Law of God, which people resist and denounce WIth terrIble con- Bani-Umayya as the beast who attacked Muhammad and 'Ali sequences and which to them is woe. Here two more woes are and their t~!:'Q!!!...-1he pit of error-~-~d their foretold, that will come after Muhammad, and they are the Ones Y.iLtues of t!.!!,thfulness. justice, purity, love, ll!.!mi!i!X,!.2~..!2E.ti!X' bringing the New Age of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. 'Abdu'l-Baha leaving on!ḥ prayer and fasting-the bodLJYjjJlill!.LJh~Qi!i!. writes: "The first woe is the appearance of the Prophet Muham- They killed many of Muhammad's descendants, who might be mad the son of 'Abdu'llah-peace be upon Him! The second woe rightly esteemed. This..Q,QllQ!!.!2E lasted for 1260 years until the is that of the Bab-to Him be glory and praise! The third woe is Declaration of !he Bab.=:§.~,:Q:~Jl~~ 60-63. -~~.---~~- the great day of the manifestation of the Lord of Hosts and the An examination of Islamic history will verify that the period radiance of the Beauty of the Promised One" ... Baha'u'llahof the power, of the Bani-Umavva. lasted 150 years. The founder S.A.Q. pp. 65-66. . of the Umayyad dynasty was 'Abu Sufyan-:grandson of Umayya, "And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a VOIce from the for whom the dynasty was named, though 'Abu Sufyan was not a four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the Caliph. The Umayya were related to the Prophet's Quraysh clan, sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four, angels which sometimes called Korish Tribe, in which Muhammad's father, are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were Abdullah, was born. For years, ever since the beginning of the loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, Islamic Era in 622 A.D., according to the Moslem historians Hitti and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of and Ameer Ali, 'Abu Sufyan had been the heart of the opposition the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousan~: of the Qurayshto Muhammad, persecutingHirnuntil His death and I heard the number of them."-,-v. 13-16. In Chapter VII Itá in 632 A.D. The Umayyad Dynasty lasted from 661 to 749 A.D., is stated that there were four angels that were about to loose the although 'Uthman, Caliph from 644 to 656, was also one of the four winds that were to destroy everything upon the earth, and a Umayyads. During the period from 632 to 644, and from 656 to great or mighty angel said, "Hurt not the earth, . neither t~e se~, 661, the Bani-Umayya were persecuting the true believers, the nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God In thelf followers of the Imams, and scheming to usurp the Caliphate. foreheads." v. 7:3. And now the sixth angel is told to "loose the When the Umayyad dynasty ended in 749, the Abbasids "proceed- four angels ... for to slay the third part ofmen."-v. 14, 15. Then ed against the fallen dynasty with unheard of savagery. Through- John describes the fire and smoke and brimstone which came from out Syria the Umayyads were hunted down and extirpated like the mouths of the horses, and it was by these three that the third wild beasts." "History of the Islamic Peoples." - Brockelmann, part of men was to be killed. This signifies that the fire and -po 105. This process lasted several years, and one of the smoke of error would destroy the spiritual life of the people to ~he Umayyads escaped to Spain where he became Emir of Cordova in extent that "the light of the virtues of the world ~f hu.man.lty, 756 A.D. Another three years of conflict in Syria ensued, before which is the result of the love and knowledge of God,)s extmgUlshpeace was attained which makes 150 years from 610 to 760, inclu- ed and the darkness of tyranny, oppression, satanic passions and sive, truly an accurate fulfillment of Christ's prophecy.-S.A.Q. de~ires has become victorious."-S.A.Q. p. 62. "Neither repented pp. 60-63, 79-80. During the Inquisition in Spain two million Jews they of their murders, nor of their fornication, nor of ~heir thefts." \~~Jorced to cl~~~~~.!~~en 'j§TnTo'R__ilie Church3nd-=~~~_~!l~ -v. 21. Never had there been such a prolonged, perIod of devas- ~~_~.~I~~_.!Ear!yredá~_~l}x~_~~am~"~_~~.~~s" but esc_~_ed to tating darkness and evil and despair. Christ, loo~ing acr?ss the J erusalenl)!Lllg,9.:JB4Q. . unrolling scroll of history, gave clear and defi11lte warnmgs of "One Woe is past, and behold, there come two woes more this night of spiritual, mental and moral darkness that "must )

come to pass" before the dawn of the New Day. He admonish ed "But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come" _ R , 2:25. . ev.

CHAPTER X

A LITTLE BOOK OPENED f' A New Dimension of Time'

"Thus hath the Tongue of Revelation spoken that which God hath" made the ornament of the book of creation." -B.W.F. p. 62.'

'." :;

Time and space move to a new dimension.'"" Now the scene of the great drama, changes. Darkness, ignorance, prejudice, pretense, evil and despair had spread ,over most of the world. There was scarcely any, progress 'and so false had civilization become that even the consciousness of its falsity had vanished. " , .' ' It is recounted in the preceding chapter that the Books of God had been sealed ~ith seven seals until the day when. each seal was opened by the Lamb Who stood beside' the Throne. Now Christ pictures another mighty angel in these words: "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as piIlarsof fire." -v; 1. Could it be that every Prophet of God has come in a "cloud" of man's doubts, WARNING OF unbeliefs and fears? One of the proofs of His station as a Pro- STORMS TO COME phet is that He shines through the clouds and causes them to melt away and vanish. This mighty angel came in this kind of a "cloud" and a "rainbow was upon his' head." ;,' Even as the seven prismatic colors, when blended, form a ray of pure white light, so the light ofthe seven great religious systems, symbolically, each having' its own 'individual, spiritual color, when blended, becomes the, pure white light of unity and truth. This mighty angel had the rainbow of light of all the seven Revelators upon His head, opening the way for the Promised One to blend them all and uplift them into the pure white light of truth for the New Day; and His face shone like the sun.' , "And he had in his hand a little book open."", ,-.,v.2.' What ) a mighty and portentous statement! Never before in all human "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the history, never before in all the Sacred Writings, never even in earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and' sware;by him that liveth the ~orisciousness of man had there been such a powerful, for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein sweepl11g statement regarding the Book! For the first time in the are and the earth, and the things that therein are, the sea and Bible it states that the Book is open. the things which are therein, that ~ould be time no longer: The Book, already established, is the Word of God as reveal- -V .. - 5,6. :-..:' I: .,- ~. ed by all of His Chosen Messengers, not just by one of Them. Does this mean'that there will be no more clocks, watches, One would then imagine it to be a huge book. This, however, is calendars, or measurements of time? . No~' ~ -Time 'here'means a a little book, since the actual words of all the Revelators put to- period of time, as an Age or a cycle, so then the end of the "time" gether, excluding all the history, the admonitions of man and his means t.he end of the Adamic CY~le. - " - conceptions, all of human origin, would make only a small book. Ouspensky states that there is a larger meaning to these Now, at last, this wondrous Book, the Word of God, is opened! words than just the end of a cycle. He writes " .. .in the changes The One upon the Throne, Baha'u'lIah, had given the Lamb, the of the time sense, the beginning of the fourth form of conscious- B~~, the little Book sealed with the seven seals, to op~n. At i~t, ness is expressed, the beginning of the transition to cosmicconsciopraIse. be to God, after all the slowly unfolding centuries, the usness. And the understanding of the fact that the Myst.!!L!!f. Book IS open! The Bab set His right foot on the se~l~mbolic._Qf Time is the first mystery to be revealed inth~:_first ,step tow~rds no more se~ation, an-'i!fuJ~[~rt..h, symboli£_.<?J the development oL~J!.!!1jc consciousn~s, along the intellectual ~ world-wIde establishment of His Revelation. According to path ... The words are full of splendor and we may accept them Shoghi Effendi, this was "a Revelation destin;:t~ blossom forth, as a symbol of remote and inaccess~bleTruth."-O~spensky in a later period into the flourishing institutions of a world-wide Tertium Organum. p. 333. administrative System, and' fo ripen, in the Golden Age as yet It was in the evening of May 22, 1844, that the Bal? raised unborn, into mighty agencies functioning in consonance with the His hand to Heaven and made the astounding Declaration that principles of a world-unifying, world-redeeming Order." -G.P.B. the Cycle had ended, that a New Day had dawned, and that He pp. 59-60. was the Prophet-Herald of One greater than Himself, Who would The Bab announced His Mission during His persecutions, in be made manifest, and Who would be the Originator of a new 1848, when He was brought to Tabriz for trial before a solemn Universal Cy~ -G.P.B. p. 93. . assembly of ecclesiastical dignitaries for His so-called heresy. The When a Prophet of God appears, He instjtutes a neW.mea- Bab, having seated Himself in the seat reserved for the heir to the surement of time, and a new calendar.' Among different peoples - throne, gave His historic and breathtaking answer to the question and at-different'tim;;:'~any different methods for the measureput to Him by the leaders of that assembly. In firm and ringing ment of time and the fixing of dates have been adopted. At tones He stated, "I am, I am, I am the Promised One! I am the least 200 different calendars are in use in the world today. Some One Whose name you have for a thousand years invoked, at of the more familiar ones are the Gregorian calendar in Western who~e mention you have risen, Whose advent you have longed Europe and America, the Julian in many countries of Western to wItness, and the hour of Whose Revelation you have prayed Europe, the Hebrew among the Jews, and the Moslem calendar. to God to hasten. Verily, I say it is incumbent upon the peoples The importance of this new Revelation in this Day is signalized of b~th the East and the West to obey My word, and to pledge by the fact that the Bah presented the world with anew calendar, allegIance to my person." -G.P.B. p. 21. The Bab, then, with which abolishes the lunar and adopts the solar reckoning of time. great dignity and firmness disbanded the meeting by Himself ris- Baha'u'llah took the calendar of the Bab, modified it, established ing and leaving the room. There was great consternation humi- its authority and declared it as the calendar for the great new liation and bitter resentment, on the part of the dignitaries: Baha'i Cycle. ) 56 57 The Baha'i year consists of nineteen months of nineteen be more unifying and uplifting than the- continual i mentioning of day~ ,each, (i,e,-t~re~ hundred and sixty one days) with the the attributes of God by our lips and our lives? - addItIOn of certam mtercalary days (four in ordinary and five in "And the voice which I heard from Heaven spake unto me leap years) between the eighteenth and nineteenth months in again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The Bab named hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the t~e months after the attributes of God, The Baha'i New Year -",--- earth! and I went unto the angel and said unto him, 'give me the lIke the ancient Persian New Year, is astronomically fixed a~ little book.' And he said unto me; 'Take it and eat it up; and it ~arch 21st, the Vernal Equinox, and the Baha'i Era commences shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as WIth the year of the Bab's Declaration, March 21st, 1844, or 1260 honey.' And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and A,H.-B,W. Vol. IV. p. 248. ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as Many countries of the world are now beginning to consider I had eaten it, my belly was bitter."-v. 8-10. the growing imperative need for a world calendar, and it will John was commanded to take the little Book, opened by the soon be necessary for all to agree on a calendar that will be Bab for the first time in all history, and eat it up. Does this adequate for all and free from the objections and associations of mea~ to "eat up" the Book of Revelation, as many interpret it? those of the past. There are seven major reasons why the Baha'i Does this mean to "eat up" the Christian Bible? What does it world calendar is the most adequate for the entire world. mean? Does it not mean to take the truth as revealed by all the 1. It is given by two world Revelators, the Bah and Baha'u'- Revelator? Is it not sweet to the taste but difficult and bitter to Hah. live it? When it becomes part of our inner being, then it becomes 2. It is astronomically based, beginning at the Spring equi- sweet within, and then nobility becomes the accent of our nox, March 21. lives. 3. BaIH\.'u'lhih explains how to attain the goal of nobiIityin It begins the new astronomical Grand Cycle of 500,000 years. these words: "_ .. When a true seeker determines to take -the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient 4. It is adapted to larger units of time measurements needed of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse and purify his heart, for the New Cycle. which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God. 5. It is best conditioned to all countries of the world and is from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the illutherefore conducive to unity. ' sions of the embodiments of satanic fancy."-Kitab-iáIqan, .6. It is in rhythmic time sequence, most simple and con- p. 192 ... "At the dawn of every day he should f:rvently commun,e vemen t. with God, and, with all his soul persevere III the.quest of hIS , 7. The names of the days and months and years are a con- Beloved."-Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 194. tmous e~pression of the attributes of God, the first day of each 'Abdu'I-BaM explained the proof of nobility. in these soulmonth bemg the day of Baha (Splendor), and the last day of each stirring words: "The necessity and the particularity of the assured month the day of 'Ala (Loftiness). . and the believing ones is to be firm in the Cause of God and withstand the hidden and evident tests. Thanks be to God that The new larger units of time measurements needed in the you are distinguished and made eminent by this blessing. Any- ~ew Cycle are:, the yahi2. and the KulI-i-Shay'. Each cycle of body can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, ~~~~te~~xe~~~ IS called a Vahid. _!,!~~_e!~e_~Y~~i~s-lor1!1-aperiod pleasure and joy; but if one will be ~~ppy ,and c~n~ented in the ~called Kull-I-Sha' The w0 r d "V a h'd" __ ,-_O"~-"- - -----"---~, - I ' --~- h as a numencal ..------~ value of time of trouble, hardship and preval1mg dIsease, It IS the proof of ?ll1eteen, and means Unity. JJle_!I~f!1eric~L~!!:lue 2f Kull-i-Shay' nobility. Thanks be to God that that dear servant of God is ~s__~_~L_3-~4.-!!I_~~~Il1e~n_~._:~or t~~~l!.kJLQf QruL" Wha-t ~ould extremely patient under the disastrous circumstances, and in the _ .•,:_':.I;i..... x, ••, 'J[~'~:'::;;~"':"~:'. ,

place o,f complaining gives thanks,"-B. W.F. pp. 363, 364. The expr~sslOn of tbe heavenly qualities at alJ times enables one to !i

manIfest nobility as the accent of life.

THE TWO WITNESSES Four and Twenty'Elders'

God Speaks: "For never have I left My Word without a Witness unto Me." -Song Celestial by Howard Colby Ives. p. 21.

Some scientists say that man is the product of his thinking. William James, 1882-1910, said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is, tbat people can alter their lives"aJ)d the world by THE LITTLE BOO,K their thinking." The Christian Bible states: "As aman thinketh OPENED in his heart, so is he."-Proverbs 23:7. Does one alter his tbinking unaided? No. Agnostics seem to be unable to change their thinking to recognizetbe station of thePiophets of God Whore- . veal the laws and principles, and release the power for the next step forward in both the material and spiritual civlIizations. The power released by Moses, Zoroaster,Christ"and'all the other Prophets was, in each case, the cause of the 'spiritual and material progress of humanity. A typical example of the' ~irth of a neW civilization occured in 622 A.D." ., , ! " , . ' ,

Suddenly in a dark and barbarous country; Arabia, a great Soul arose Who was not like the other Arabs. Muhammad sm~'" shed their idols of pictures and images, gave them new laws, and altered their ancient customs. ForaH this He was persecuted and tortured, as is everyone who smashes idols. Today the idols of man's own imaginations are being smashed. "Abdu'l-Baba says that these other idols at least had a mineral existence, while mankind's present idols are not even mineral> but are only fancies.-S.A.Q. p. 171.á Many people are unaware that there are a ( number of chapters in the Bible which refer to the Muhammadan Dispensation. ; . , . In the very first verse of the first cliapterof the Book of Revelation, Christ gives the purpose of the book, "to show unto his

;1 servants things which must shortly cOlile to pass." These events mad. The year 1260.A.H. lunar time, corresponds to 1844 A.D. have occurred since 96 A.D. as He foretold. solar time which is when the Bab made His Declaration. The "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the year 1844 is symbolically referred to more often than any angel stood saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the other date in the Sacred Writings. . altar, and them that the worship therein." v.l. A reed is a hollow "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall stick, which was used in Biblical times as a measuring rod. The prophecy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed only flawless measuring rod for judging a temple or people is the in sackcloth."-v.3. A thousand ,two hundredá and three score Manifestation of God, the Prophet and the law which He brings. days is, again,Jl§.9~~[~L whL~IUs.JQ~,~~omple~e ~~ham!lla£!j.J1 That is the measuring rod. Here He is commanded to measure Dis~ill'atiQ!!': The two witnesses, 'Abdu'l-Baha saId, are M.uhathe temple and the altar and them that worship closest to the . m~ad, the Messenger of God, and 'Ali, son of Abu Tah~. Word. of God and to the Law of God. These are the ones who should be measured first. S.A.Q. p.S7; Muhammad was th~ ".Sun" Of. His DispensatIOn; 'Ali was the "Moon" reflecting HIS hght, bemg the first one to 'Abdu'l-Baha has likened the reed to the perfect man .... herald the station of Muhammad. . ,. "when the interior of a reed is empty and free from all matter, it "These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks stand-á will produce beautiful melodies; and as the sound and melodies ing before God of theá earth."-v.4.' "These" areal.so refer,~ed to do not come from the reed, but from the flute-player who blows in Ezekiel and in Daniel, who are the same "two wItnesses ,who upon it, so the sanctified heart of that blessed being is free and are Muhammad and 'Ali. All lamps were, at that time, lighted emptied from all save God, ... and is the companion of the Divine by olive oil, and the candlestick is . the abode of t~e light, a~d Spirit. Whatever he utters is not from himself, but from the real from it the light shines forth. In the same wa.y the. 11ght of gUIdflute-player, and it is a divine inspiration. That is why he is likenance would shine and radiate from these dlummed souls.- ed to a rced; and that re~d is ... the rod of the Divine Shepherd S.A.Q. p. 58 •. . .. ' ... . ... - .. . by which He guards His flock, and leads them about the pastures .. "And if any man will hurt them, fire procedeth out ~f theIr of the Kingdom." -S.A.Q. pp. 53, 54. mouth and devoureth their enemies: and if any man wlll . hurt 'Abdu'l-Baha also said: "The purport is this, that certain them 'he must in this manner be killed.' These have power to. . souls guided (people) with a rod of the plant, that is, a reed shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophec~; 'and' wherewith he shepherded the sheep, like unto the rod of Moses; have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smIte the others trained (the people) with the rod of iron and drove them, earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall as in the time of Muhammad (The sceptre of Muhammad was have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the the sword). In this greatest Day the rod of the plant and the rod bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome, of iron are changed into a rod which is ofá pure gold and is from them, and kill them."-v.S-7.: .' ".. . the endless treasuries of the Kingdom of God."-T. AB. Vol. 1, That they are "standing before the God of the earth , SI~l11- p.93. fies that they are standing in the service of God ~nd educatl~g' "But the court which is without the temple, leave out, and the creatures of God, such as the wild, barbarous tnbes of A~abla, measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city who were educated in such a way that they reached the hIghest shall they tread under foot forty and two months."-v.2. The degree of knowledge known in those days, and their fame became key is given in Ezekiel 4:6, "I have appointed thee each day for a worldwide. ....., ..,., . . '. year." "Forty and two months" then, would be 1260 years, re- These Witnesses brought the Law of God. If one falled to ferring to the complete Muhammadan Dispensation. There are observe that Law, or belittled it, that very Law would become the many references in the Bible foretelling the 1260 years, which can means of his destruction. 'Abdu'l-Baha said that in this prophecy, only be understood historically as the Dispensation of Muham- "rain" means bounty. The Law and Teachings of Muhammad

"', i: 62 63

and of 'Ali are the bounties which They can either give or with- "And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from.God hoJd. HIlle bea_~_th~~cendeth out of the bottomless ~it" (as entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear bef~re .!>t~!ed _bt: A bd.~~~L~ea~~JIle B~~i:~!j.mi!'yiwb~~d~ fell upon them which saw them. . And they heard a great voice ~__ gft~~~lJl!111I~~_~'~_F h2~~!!!lcked~.Jl!~Jn-,.JbJL1)y~ wi tn~llse~ .. from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascendá ~!:~~Ull5ullt o~ er!:QX.J!.mt WJ12Jose a~~L!h~~~~~1:u.)LJ\1Jlh~~ ed up to heaven in a cloud: and their enemies beheld them."- mmad and agaInst the reality of 'Ali-in other words, against the v. 11, 12. love of God.-S.A.Q. p.60. This means that the beast would de- After the three and one half days, twelve hundred and sixty stroy the love of God in the spiritual life of the people, treading years, Christ here fortells that the Law of God revealed by Muhaunder foot the true Message of Muhammad until only a lifeless mmad and taught by 'Ali would again have life and bounty from body would remain, in the hands of the official 'Ulama. heaven, and would illumine the darkness. Now the l?cene chan- _ "An? .their d~ad bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, ges. In fulfillment of this animating prophecy, a Morning Star whIch sp1fltually IS cal1ed Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord named the Bab appeared in Persia, in 1844, Whose Light began to was cru~ified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues push back the blinding douds of darkness. The Light of Truth and natlons shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shone forth, the Holy Breezes were diffused; the Morn of Guid~ shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they ance dawned, and the Life-giving Spring gushed out, .bringing joy, that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry gladness and progress for a New Age. and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophet; What significance in those. words, "Come up ihither!"-v. 12. tormented them that dwelt on earth."-v.8-1O. It was as though God was'calling His Chosen Messenger, the Bab, "Sodom and Egypt, the place where also our Lord was cruci- and Quddus, the Bab's beloved disciple. TheBab also like Christ fied," 'Abdu'l-Baha explains, "is the region of Syria, and especi- raised the Call of God, delivered His Message, revealed His Law, ally Jerusalem, where the Bani-Umayya then had their dominions and like His Holiness Christ, would attain . the sublime station of , .. and it Was here that the Religion of God and the divine teach- Martyrdom. Quddus likewise was destined to be martyred. ing first disappeared, and a dead body without spirit remained."- . Like the crucifixion of Christ, the martyrdom of the Bab is S.A.Q. p.61. The Holy Books symbolize the "three days and a one of the most soul-stirring dramas of all human history. 'It was half" as three years and a half, or forty-two months, which is on July 9, 1850, that the Bab, Who was then in His thirty first equal to 1260 days or years or the entire Dispensation of Muham- year,- became a victim of the fanatical fury of His persecutors. mad. '!A~j~E2Qy~as not completely destroyed, as the. outward Along with a devotediyoung follower, :Aqa Muhammad Ali, who ~~t!!B.J?L~yer and ~fas~!~f~ass-ti~} p~.:s~~~~~:}~tthejPi~- had begged to be allowed to' share. His Martyrdom~ the Babwas I~ual teachmgs ~oraIs, conduct and knowledge ofITi;-s:iivine led to the execution postin thepubIic square of Tabriz. The high n;yster~ad disappe-ared. Tyranny, oppression and satanic p~~= born youth, in spite of. the pleasand,entreaties of his family and sIOIiSOecam.e-VictOrlOus over the Law of God, until truthfulness friends, was overjoyed on being permitted to die with his beloved justice, love, purity, detachment, sanctity and nobility disappear~ Lord. Thousands of excited spectators gathered on the roofs and ~d and gross darkness covered the land. In the study of this per- in the streets and open spaces, eager to watch the public execu- IOd of darkness and corruption, pretence and immorality that tion. It was two hours before noon. The two young men were marked Islamic lands, we see how a people, who had attained the suspended by ropes to the execution post. The 'young disciple summit of power, became degraded and down-trodden because begged to have his body placed so as'to shield his Master's, 'and they had "killed" the Law of God. "It was like the darkest so they were bound and suspended. the head of the boy resting on hour before the dawn, when the few lamps and candles that re- the breast of the Prophet. I'

main alight do little more than make the darkness visible."- A regiment of Armenian soldiers was drawn up and received RN.E. p. 17. the order to fire. Seven hundred and fifty rifles discharged their. 64 65 bullets at the blessed Target. So dense was the smoke that the This was similar to the earthquake at the time of the martyrsky was darkened. When the smoke cleared away, the petrified dom of Christ, when the veil of the temple was rent. i •.. • and astonished multitude of ten thousand beheld an electrifying By this foul deed, the prison square of Tabriz became a secscene they could scarcely believe. The Bab had vanished from ond Calvary. The enemies of The Bab enjoyed a guilty thrill of their sight; the youth stood alive and unharmed beside the wall triumph, thinking they had severed the root of the Babi Faith. where they had been suspended. The ropes by which they had But their triumph was shortlived; they did not realize that .the been hung alone were severed. 'The Siyyid-i-Bab has gone from Tree of Truth can not be severed by material acts,nor can the our sight!' exclaimed the bewildered spectators.-G.P.B. p. 53. creative organic processes set in motion by Divine Revelation be Later they found the Bab giving His last message to His ama- thwarted. nuensis, inside the prison, where He had earlier said to His "And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the captors: "Not until I have said all those things that I wish to say tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of can any earthly power silence Me. Though all the world be arm- men seven thousand; and the remnant were affrighted, and gave ed against Me yet shall it be powerless to deter Me from fulfilling, glory to the God of heaven."-v. 13. ' ...,. , to the last word, My intention." When The Bab had finished When this earthquake took place in Shiraz in the province of His dictation, He turned to the chief gaoler and said: "I have Fars, it is said by 'Abdu'l-Baha that "all the remnant lamented finished My conversation with Siyyid Husayn. Now you may pro- and cried day and night, and were occupied in glorifying and ceed to fulfil your intention." -G.P.B. p. 52. The Colonel of the praying to God. They were so troubled and affrighted that they Armenian regiment, shaken by what had happened, ordered his had no sleep nor rest at night."-S.A.Q. p. 65 . . ' , men to leave the barracks immediately and swore never again to "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh resume that task, even if it cost his own life. quickly."-v. 14.. The first woe refers to' the' Disp:nsation of A Muslim colonel volunteered to replace him and another re- Muhammad; the second woe to that of the Bab;thethIrd woe to giment was assembled. The Bab and the youth were again sus- the great Day of the Manifestation.bf the Lord of Hosts, pended on the same wall. The Bab gazed' at the bloodthirsty Baha'u'llih, which came' only nineteen years after that of the multitude and addressed them in these awe-inspiring words: "0 Bab. Each Dispensation is a woe to the un.!>e1iev~~_€?~ wayward generation! Had you believed in Me, everyone of you ers, andto those'wnoare gis.9.J)~!!i1Q3~_!:-~\ḥs of_QQ..4.á . would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in the ~'-~~Z;-A;'d the seventh-angel sounded; and there were great voices rank above most of you, and would have willingly sacrificed him- in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world' are, become the self in My path. The day will come when you will have recogniz- kingdom of OUT Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ed Me, that day I shall have ceased to be with you." , Seven ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before hundred and fifty bullets riddled the two bodies which were God on their seats, fell. upon their faces, and' worshipped God, thrown outside the city wall into the desolate moat beyond. saying, We give thee thanks 0 Lord God AlmightY',which art, and The faces of the Bab and 'Aqa Muhammad 'Ali were miracu- wert and are to come; because thou hast taken to,thee thy great lously spared. And more than this, Shoghi Effendi states, at the pow~r, and hast reigned."-v. 15-17. ' '; ,,:,:."; :,:;;, .. very moment the shots were fired, a violent gale swept the city, The seventh angel is a human being endowed with 'heavenly obscuring the light of the sun and blinding the eyes of the people. attributes who will proclaim the Manifestation of the Lord of In Shiraz, an earthquake as foretold in v. 13 of this chapter, occ- Hosts and the Kingdom of God upon the earth. "Such is the Day urred after The Bab's execution in Tabriz, threw the whole city of God. For all the days which have come and gone 'were into turmoil and wrought havoc among its peop\e-a havoc great- the days of Abraham, Moses and Christ, or of the ot~er P~0I'he.ts; ly aggravated by cholera, famine and other affiictions!-G.P.B. but this day is the Day of God, for the Sun of Reahty WIll anse p.53. in it with the utmost warmth and splendor;!~-'-S.A.Q. p. 67. , !'!i

The four and twenty elders are the disciples or holy souls. "Jacob had twelve sons; in the time of Moses there were twelve of these heavenly mysteries, ... the doors of success and prosperity heads or chiefs of the tribes; in the time of Christ there were wiII be opened in all directions, and the signs of goodness and twelve disciples; and in the time of Muhammad there were twelve heavenly benedictions will become manifest."-v.19.-S.A.Q. Imams. But in this glorious dispensation there are twenty four, p.70. . . '. d double the number of all the others, for the greatness of this " 'And there were lightmngs, and VOIces, and thundenngs, an Manifestation requires it."-S.A.Q. p. 67. They bowed before an earthquake and great hail',-v.19.-meaning that after the the One upon the Throne in gratitude and thanksgiving, and in appearance of the Book of the Testament there will be a great recognition of the greatness of His Mission to establish peace and storm and the lightnings of the anger and the wrath of God will unity upon the earth. flash, 'the noise of the thunder of the violation of the Coven- "And He shall reign forever and ever."-v.15. Many people ant will resound, the earthquake of doubts will take place, the think that the word "forever" is synonymous with the word hail of torments will beat upon the violators of the Covenant, "eternal". But it does not mean "eternal": it is translated from and even those who profess belief will faU into trials and temptaan Aramaic word meaning "for a great cycle." So the Light of tions." -S.A .Q. p. 71. How much must man quaff of the cup .of Baha'u'lllih will interpenetrate for a very long time, "for a great suffering and be deprived, ere he turns his heart to God? Chnst cycle." proc I a I'med , "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and God." ,I;

the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldst de~troy them which destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen inhis temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings and voices and thunderings and an earthquake and great hail."-v. 18,19. The nations were angry, for the disturbing teachings of the Prophet oppose the iniquities and corruptions of their affairs and THE LIGHT OF of their lives. "The time of the dead that they should be judged" TWO WITNESSES refers to the Judgment Day, when all things are measured and tested and tried, and when the spiritually deaf, dumb and blind are deprived and the destroyers are measured and destroyed. A beautiful statement is that the "temple of God was opened in heaven" and the "ark of His Testament" became visible. The "ark of His Testament" refers here to 'Abdu'!-Baha,-son of Baha- 'u'll:ih, and the Center of His Covenant.-G.P.B. p. 239. 'Abdll']- Baha is extolled by the Revealer of the Apocalypse (Jesus Christ) as "the Ark of His (God's) Testamen t;" ... glorified by BaM 'u'llah ; in certain passages of His Writings, as the "Ark of Salvation" and as "The Cord stretched betwixt the earth and the Abha Kingdom." , . :)' '(',I"!i

G.P.B. p. 239." 'The temple of God was opened in heaven' means also that by the diffusion of the divine teachings, the appearance ) "And she being with child cried, travailing! in birth, a~d pained to be delivered. And thereá appeared.; another wonder m heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven.hea.ds and ten horns' and seven crowns upon his heads.á Andá hIS tall drew the third ~art of the stars of heaven, and did cas.t them to the i

CHAPTER XII earth: and the dragon stood before the woman WhICh was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as, soon as it' was born." THE WOMAN-THE GREAT RED DRAGON .- .~

-v.2-4. . h History records that the Law of: Muhammad fell mto t e "This Woman is the Law of God"-'Abdu'l-Baha. S.A.Q. p.80 greatest difficulties and endured great afflictions.until a perfect offspring was produced through Fatimih' and the twelve Imams. That means the Promised One of the Law . of 'Muha~mad w~s Times, Times and Half a Time Fulfilled. reared in the bosom of this Law which mothered HIm. ThIS The amazing scene in the world drama changes, and a great "Child" is recognized as His Holiness the Bab, lineal descendant red dragon appears. The twelfth chapter is very interesting, and of Muhammad, the Primal Point, Who was, born of the Law ~f has given rise to many different interpretations, some of which Muhammad, was nurtured by that Law, and Who became mamare so remote that they are confusing and amazing and they do fest on earth 1260 years after that Law was promulgated, thus not bring any enlightenment. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, however, has given fulfilling the prophecies of Christ and,Muhammad. us a number of Keys to this chapter which are most illuminating. The second great wonder in heaven was "a great red drago~, The first verse describes a great wonder; "And there appeared having seven heads and ten horns and seven, crown.s upon hIS a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the heads. And his tail drew the _third part of the ' st~rs m heaven, moon under het feet, and upon her nerid a crown of twelve stars: and did cast them to the earth." 'Abdu'I~Bahaexplams .that these And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to signs allude to the dynasty of the Umayyadswho.dommated the be delivered."-v.l, 2. , Moslem religion. The seven heads' and seven crowns mean the Figuratively, the woman symbolizes the Law of God. In the seven dominions over which the Bani-Umayya h~d power~S.~.Q heaven of religion. Christ refers to a: woman as the Law of God 79. These countries, controlled by the fanatIcal ecclesIastIcal in Rev. 21:2; "Coming down from God.out of heaven prepared as ~~we'r of the Bani-Umayya" were the Roman do.minion ~r?und a bride adorned for her husband." The Woman in this chapter is Damascus, and the Persian, Arabian, and Egy.ptIan,do~mlO~s" that bride, the Law of God, revealed by Muhammad. She was together with. the dominion ~f . Africa, thab~s: to ~ay . Tums, _ clothed with the light of the "Sun of Reality" from the Prophet Morocco, and Algeria, thedommlOn of AndalUSIa wh~ch IS now in the day and age in which He appeared. Spain, and the dominions of !urkestan. and; Transoxama-S.A.Q. Symbolically the "sun" and the "moon" refer to the two Islamic nations, Persia and Turkey, which use the symbols. The pp. 79 -80 . These ten countnes compnsed' Islam, butádonly seven ' of them had rulers, the others being provinces,or man ate~. '. emblem of Persia is the sun, and that of Turkey is the crescent The "Ten Horns" denote, without repetition the ten dIfferent moon, the two most powerful nations of Islam. "Upon her head names of the Umayyad rulers, as follows: " ,', ' .. :".' " a crown of twelve stars" is the symbol, according to' Abdu'l-Bahi, . 1. 'Abu Sufayn; who opposed Muhammad from 610 to 632 of the twelve Imams who were the promulgators of the Law A.D. (Who was not a Caliph.) " : .• of Muhammad and the educators of the people, thus shining like 2. 'Uthman, third Caliph, 644 to 656 A.D. I ""h stars in the heaven of guidance. Thus we see that the twelve 3. Mu'aviyyih I, sixth Caliph, 661-680 A.D. and Mu aVIYyI successive Imams are "the stars in her crown," as foretold by III 683 A.D., eighth Caliph.' lJ " " Christ. _~

J ) 70 71

4. Yazid I, seventh Caliph, 680 to 683 A . . This child appeared in the midst of the "most decadent race teenth Caliph, 720 to 724 A D .~., Yazld II, four- in the civilized world, grossly ignorant, savage, cruel, steeped in Caliph, 744 A.D. . . and Yazld III, seventeenth prejudice, servile in their submission to an almost deified hierar- 5. Marwan T, ninth Caliph 683 to 6 chy, recalling in their abjectness the Israelites of Egypt in the days eighteenth Caliph, 744 to' 750 A 85 A.D., Marwan II, of Moses, in their fanaticism the Jews in the Days of Jesus, and in 6. 'Abd' 1 . .D. their perversity the idolateI's of Arabia in the days of Muham- . -a -kahk, tenth Caliph, 685 to 705 A D 7. Wahd I, eleventh Caliph 705 t . . mad."-G.P.B. pA. Irito such a world this child was born, Who sixteenth Caliph, 743 to 744 A ~715 A.D. and Walid II, . became noted for His great personal beauty and charm; love of 8. ~ulayman, t\;elfth Caliph, 715 'to '717 A.D. mankind, nobility of character. and great spiritual wisdoniand 9. ~mar II, thlrteeth Caliph, 717 to 730 A.D. power. 10. Hlsham, fifteenth Caliph, 724 to 743 A D , It is interesting to note the many Bible references to 1260 Marwan II, 744 to 750 A D ' . years, the length of the Muhammadan Dispensation,' In' Daniel Caliphs. . . was the last of the Umayyad it is expressed as "a time, times, áand half a time" which is These sym bolize the tail of the e " three and a half years,' or forty two months, i' which equals destroyed the third part of tl . I cclesJastlcal system which twelve hundred and sixty days.' In Ezekiel, 4-6, we learn that a lineage of Muhammad who Ie sall1l~kY and holy people of the day is a year in the sight of the Lord, and this is the Key to the á were I e "the tá f KWas Illngton Irvino~"Mol '" . lamet and HIS Su s ars 0 heaven." " prophecies. The woman, the personification of the Law of God, . Hitti-"History of the Arabs" ccessors and Philip fled to the wilderness, meaning the vastá desert of Hijaz, and the "And she brought forth a 'man . Arabian Peninsula, whichá became the abode' and: dwelling-place nations with a rod of i ' child, who w~s to rule all of the Law of God for 1260 years, at the end of which~timeá the ron. and her child - G od, and to his thro11e . AIId tl1e womal fl d was. caught up unto Promised One, the fruitof that Law, ap_peared in the person of where she 11atha place prepared of ~ 1 e mto the wilderness,. His Holiness the Bab. .. .. Ii.:" her there a thousand two h d dáá od, that they should feed It was on May 23, 1844, (1260 A. H.) unheeded by the wor- TI un re and three sco d " 1e dragon stood before the woman . re. ays. -v.5, 6. ld's leaders, that the Bab . made one of the: greatest' pronounce~ God as revealed by Muh d ' whIch 1S the Law of ments of all time, when He stated that, "Beholdthe Cycle of Adam I . amma and expressed tl I oglcal line of Fatimih and tI t I Jroug 1 the genea- hath ended! A New Day hath dawned! And He Whom God promised Manifestation tl Ieffwe;e Imams. The child was the hath made manifest is come!" . It was the end of the Muhammad" ' 1e 0 -spnn o of the L f M an lor Whom the Bani-Ullla a wc"'., aw 0 uhal11l11ad dan Dispensation, and the fulfillment of the twelve hundred and might destroy Him I' . Y1Y leal ways looking that they I' . , eanng t Ie loss of tI . sixty year period, and the end of the 6000 year Adamic cycle. eared the loss of his power at the time ,lelr ~ower, as Herod "And there was war in heaven: Miehael and his angels fought all new-born male infants killed. In of. Chnst, when he had against the dragon; and the dragon foughtá and his angels,and Umay.ya sought to kill anyone of Muham hke, manner the Bani- prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. was hIghly esteemed and h ' mad s descendants Who And the great dragon was cast out, that oldá serpent, 'called the man child, this SOil ~hat w;s ~ mlghft be the Promised One. This Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole }Vorld; he was cast "0 1819' '< om 0 t lIe Law of God 0 - , ll1 Shiraz Persia was tl B .b ,011 ctober out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with' him. . And with a sword, but ~ith a ':rod f I.e ,~' Who would rule, not I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now is come :salvation. H' .. 0 Iron which' tl IS spmtual power and might It ' IS Ie symbol of and strength,and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His the Word of God, He would sá . 't n:leans that, with the power of Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,' which 'acct!1e earth and take them to B~~~'~~lIrl;r~ect all the nations of used them before our God day and night'." v.7-10., , " .. lIke a shepherd into the great Ne C I ho .would lead them w yc e of UnIty and Peace. The great emphasis here is that at last there is the ~lad ann 13 nouncement that the time of salvation and the dawn of a New of Muhammad by the flood of false teachings, and His true te~~e~: Day have come. The transforming spiritual power of tlle Bab in s could not be destroyed since Muhammad was the ~aD1 has closed the old Cycle, opened a new, and has brought the re- g. f reall'ty "His Holiness Moses, His Holiness Chnst, and generating Spirit of the Word of God again to mankind. tatton o . . . fá rty His H á H I' Mubammad, were the ManIfestatIOns 0 rea 1 • "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by )S 0 mess . " PUP 397 Holiness Bahi'u'nih was the glory of realIty. . . . p. • the word of their testimon),; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because be knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto tbe earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which kept the com- .. mandmentsofGod, tilidhave the testimony ofá Jesus Christ."- tHE,LlGHTQi= v. 11-17.. THE STAR! This clearly explains that the woman, that is, the Law of God, was protected throughout the Muhammadan Dispensation, >,1"'- ANDTHECRESCENT: " 71/1 ' f ~~<,', • . ,; ": <:'.;; . ,. ';"", [,

un til the coming of the Bab, in 1844; She was nourished in her place in the wilderness of Arabia, for a time, and times, and ';:1 I;,

haIfa time. In those days, a "time" was recognized as the number of degrees in a circle, that is, three hundred and sixty degrees. "Times" would be twice that or seven hundred and twenty degrees. "Half a time" would be one hundred and eighty degrees. Adding all together, the whole period would be twelve hundred and sixty years, the length of the Muhammadan Dispensation, the lunar years. This was from A.D.'622 to A.D. 1844, when translated to solar years, A. H. 1260 corresponds to A.D. 1844. The Bible, with unfailing persistence from beginning to end, has again given that date, '1844, as the initiation of the great new Baha'i Cycle, signalized by the Declaration of the Bib and His momentous pronouncement, heralding One greater than Himself. The serpent, or dragon, failed to sweep away the Law L j 1

pendulum and produced works on optics. They made' great progress in the science of astronomy .. They built observatories and constructed many astronomical instruments which are still in use. They calculated the angle of the ecliptic' and the procession CHAPTI;!R XIII of the equinoxes. At the time when the practice of medicine was forbidden in Europe by the church,the'Arabs had developed 0

TWO STRANGE BEASTS 666 a real science of medicine. 'They made great advances' over, the The Letters of the Living Greeks, and many of their methods of treatment of disease are still in use today. In chemistry they discovered many new sub- "Were it not for tests, genuine gold could not be distinguished from stances, such as potash, nitrate of silver, sulphuric acid, alcohol,' the counterfeit...But for tribulations, how could the assured be disting- etc. They knew how to - produce' 'new varieties of fruits and uished from the doubters among Thy servants?"-D.A.L. pp. 91-92 flowers. Their fine art of papermaking was one of their greatest contributions to progress. They surpassed • the rest of the world in beautyá of design 'and workmanship.:! In' fine textile fabrics, The amazing panorama of this chapter presents what might they have scarcely been equalled. 'Although the; Islamic civiIiza-' be called a three dimensional glimpse of history. It is important tion reached a very high peak and contributed much to the proto know more of the dramatic story of Islam, in order to better gress of the world, yet because of the intrigues, political and reliunderstand ensuing events. giouscorruptions, wars and fanatical.atrocities, its spiritual down- When we review the conditions existing in the East prior to fall began about 750 A.D. Its fame and renown,-' however, had the rise of the Prophet of Arabia, we find that throughout the spread throughout the world, proving that Muhammad was, in Arabian P~ninsula intense spiritual darkness and utmost ignor- truth; the Prophet and Messenger of God~' -;. . , ance prevailed among the inhabitants. Those tribal peoples were "And the beast which I saw 'was'" 1ikl? ulitoaleopard; and his constantly engaged in war, killing, burning, pillaging, and living feet were as the feet ofa bear, and, his mouth as the 'mouth of a in conditions of the most extreme debasement and immorality. lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat,' and great Some were even lower and more brutal than the wild animals. authority." .. ;;-' ," ';!i;-:'!f!,l ; ,-'

To such people God sent Muhammad as a Prophet. He educated "And I saW one of his heads as' it \vere woundedto death; those barbarous tribes, lifted them out of their ignorance and and his deadly wound was healed: and all 'the. world wondered savagery, began to establish agreement and reconciliation among i after the beast." -.• '; ..: '" "'.',,' them, and taught them to look upon each other as brothers. He "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto forbade the practice of burying girl babies alive, and all other the beast: and they worshipped the beast,;'saying"l 'Who is like - inhuman acts. Through His education they reached such a high unto the beast? Who is able to make'war with him'?'~ . , degree of civilization that they governed nations, continents, and "And there was given unto :,him ia'mouth speaking great peoples. What a great civilization was established in Spain by things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him! to contithe Muslims! What marvelous culture radiated from Baghdad as a nue forty and two Inonth.'á'-Rev~ '13:2,3~4,S.i PI,:;:" '.' ,,\! center, penetrating even to darkened Europe in the form of new Cruel and ambitious leaders failed' to live according to the arts and sciences! teachings of Muhammad after His passing, and throughtheirlust Islam gave algebra to the world; it spread the Arabic system for power wars and dissensions arose; From'661 A;D~ to 760 A.D., of ten numerals, plane and spherical trigonometry, and invented J this leadership was focalized in the Umayyaddynasty of Caliphs the trigonometric functions, -sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, whose' seat of governme:ntá was Damascus:' .This'dynasty,. or secant and cosecant. In physics, Muslim scientists invented the Bani-U mayya, heIdswayover ;ten. countries;iand 'represents the "red dragon" which gave power to the two beasts.-v.4. The first "beast" mentioned in this chapter of the Book of without curses and execrations, and this' continuedthioughout Re~elation, is according to Shoghi Effendi, Mu'aviyyih, sixth the rule of th'e U mayyad Caliphs and for centuries after. The Call ph and first of the corrupt line of the Umayyad rulers. noble and generous character of 'Ali was exemplified in the Shogbi Effendi explained this to the author and to the members recorded circumstances of his life. He derived his religious spirit of ~he International Council in Haifa. Mu'aviyyih seized the from his association with Muhammad 'Himself,and followed to C.al1phate by forc~ fr~m Hasan, the son of 'Ali, paid him 5,000,000 the last the simplicity and' nobility of His example. His signet duhems for abdlcatmg, and promised that Hasan would be res- ring bore the inscription: "The kingdom belongs to God." , One tored to the position at his own death. However, he made the of his sayings shows the little'value he set upon the transistory Caliphate hereditary by appointing his dissolute son Yazid as his glories of this world. "Life is but' the shadow of a cloud; the successor. Washington Irving, in "Mahomet and His Succes- dream of a s!eeper."-Chapter 40.-"Mahomet and his Successors", explains the corruption and intrigue ofthos!!' days. Muha- sors," by Washington Irving. 'Ali is said to have been' born at mmad had several times~designated the pure-hearted 'Ali his the Kaaba, or Holy Temple of Mecca, where his mother, while ~ousin and son-in-law, as His successor, to be followed by' his praying, was suddenly taken in labor. ' 'Ali was the only person lmea~ descendants, but had not put it in writing. Mu'aviyyih was of such distinguished birth. ., " ' appoInted governor of Syria by his kinsman 'Uthman the third Mu'aviyyih was crafty, treacherous like a leopard, ambitious, Caliph. When 'Ali was selected as fourth Caliph, Mu'aviYYih unjust, deceitful and scandalously greedy. He was guilty of :ose in re.b~llion. a~ainst him, and plunged the Islamic Empire intrigues, duplicity, murders and atrocities in' his wars'against 1I1to fratncIdal CIVIl war. After losing Egypt to Amru, 'Ali plan- 'Ali and his adherents. He used money fr.eely in buying :;off his Ii" ,-">;-:" ned anot~er.assa~lt on Syria to quell the rebellion of Mu'aviyyih. opponents. ~bou.t thIS tIme, III 650 A.D., three fanatical zealots met as pilg_ "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and rIms. m the M~sque at Mecca, and fell to lamenting over the dis- he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a'dragon.'" , sensIOns .and dIsmemberment of the Muslim Empire, all of which "And he exerciseth' all power of the first beast before him, they attnbuted, t~ the .so-called ambitions of 'Ali, Mu'aviyyih and and causeth the earth and them whichdweU thereinto worship Amru. In theIr mfunate zeal they determined that the only way 'the first beast, whose deadly'wound'was'healed."'; -:.Rev. '13:11, 12. " '" , , ' '' , to restore peace and unity to Islam was for each of them to assassinate one of these three leaders. Barak repaired to Damascus The second "beast'" in 'this 'chapter is personified by Yazid, mingled in the, retinue of Mu'aviyyih as he was officiating in th; eldest son of Mu'aviyyih, who was evil~minded;' 'licentious,: cruel, Mosque as pontlff, and gave Mu'aviyyih what he considered a ambitious,: crafty and treacherous. Hehhlccused by Arabian fatal blow. The wound was desperate, but Mu'aviyyih's life was historians of having instigated 'the murder 'of the pure-hearted saved by drastic remedies. "And I saw one of his heads as it Hasan, : who was to resume the Caliphate on the death of were wounded unto death; and his deadly wound was healed; and Mu'aviyyih. It was the intention of Mu'aviyyih to name his son, all the world wondered after the beast." v.3. Yazid, as his successor without the customary election. 'Yazid . The assassin who went after Amru killed another man by knew that Hasan was strong in the' affections of the people, and i to remove such a dangerous rival from his path; it is'saidthat mIstake, The only one who succeeded in his mission was 'Abda'I-Rahman, who struck 'Ali a mortal blow as he entered the Yazid prevailed upon one of Hasan's "wives' to ipoisorihim, pro- Mosque at Cufa. 'Ali died three days later and was succeeded by ~is .so~ Hasan, who was SOOn forced to resign in favor of j mising to marry her as a reward for her' treason. , In'Hasan's last agonies, hIS brother Husayn asked 'who 'had: poisoned him, ' 'that he might avenge; his death, but Hasan held his tongue. "This Mu:avlYYlh., Such w~s the bitter hatred ingendered by Mu'aviyyih agamst 'Ah that hIS name was never mentioned in the Mosques world," said he, "is only a "long; night; leave' him alone until he and l'sha1l meet' in , open daylight, in the ' presence of the 'j ) ) Most High." The Bab was a descendant of Husayn and His persecutions and martyrdoms of the. Bab and ,His followers more disciple Quddus Was a descendant of Hasan, the two sons of than eleven centuries later. ., ,., '" . Fatimib. The Bab was loved most devotedly by all, as long as He was The ~aliph Yazid reigned only three years and a half, being only a merchant and ordinary' citizen, but when He made the cut down 111 .the flower of his days, say the Muslim historians Declaration of His great Mission,' the heartless, persecutions because .of hIS godless impiety in ordering the sacking of Medina: began. When He declared to Mulla Husayn, His first disciple, ~,he bunaI. p.lace of the Prophet; for the latter had predicted, that he was the Bab, the Gate of God; "the Promised One"; . Whoever lllJureth Medin a, shall melt a way even as salt melteth -when He made a similar declaration to Mirza Muhit in Mecca 111 water."-See Mahomet and His Successors. and delivered the Message of God to the Sherif of Mecca, calling , There are ~1any accounts of the internecine slaughter, the him to embrace the Cause of God; when in theá presence of the rapll1e an,d revoltlllg atrocities during the Caliphates of Mu'aviyyih heir to the Persian throne and the assembled dignitaries of an~ Yazld, tl~e two "beasts." The Shi'ah sect of Islam holds Tabriz, He publically proclaimed, "I am the Promised One! I am theIr memory 111 abhorrence, charging Yazid with the deaths of the One Whose name you have for a thousand years' invoked ... " the ~mams ~asan and Husayn, and accompanies his name with G.P.B., p.21;- when He wrote to Muhammad Shah, "I am the the ImprecatlOn, "May he be accursed of God!" The Sunni Sect Primal Point from which have been generated all created things ... ~n .the other. hand, has throughout the centuries held the name of I am the countenance of God, Whose splendor can never be obs- All, a,nd hIS descendants in execration, and has eulogized cured, the light of God Whose radjance can never fade, .. " Mu aVlyyih and Yazid. G.P.B. p.4.-W.O.B. p.126; when with speeding pen He poured "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count forth epistl es, commentaries and dissertations with such profusion the num?er ,of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his that it amounted to the superhuman. accomplishment 0[.500,000 number IS SIX hundred threescore and six." -Rev. 13:18. verses; -when He had sent forth His Disciples, the Letters of the There are many strange interpretations of the "Beast with Living, His chosen messengers, to "prepare áthe ,way of the Lord"; the ,nu~b.er 666." However, according to Shoghi Effendi, it was -when multitudes turned. to Him and were, stirred, to new life by Mu aVlYYlh ~ho desecrated the Shrine at the birthplace of His Spirit; -when He began to manifest such activities as these, MU~lammad 111 Mecca and ordered the sacking of Medina, the -the envious hirelings and sycophants of Persia, the Church-State bunal place of the Prophet. He tried to make Damascus the leaders, ordered the most cruel atrocities and oppressions to extin~ Ka~ba of the Muslim world. This dastardly event, foretold by guish the Flame lighted by the newá Prophet, .. though the proofs Chnst more than 500 years before, occurred in 666 A.D. . of His Station of Prophethood were clearly' established .. "And he had power to give life to the ilnage of the beast Never before in all recorded history have there been such that the image of the beast should both speak, and caus~ revolting, unspeakably cruel tortures and vicious persecutions as that ,as many as would not worship the image 'of the beast should those wreaked upon the followers of the Bab by His arch-enemies, be killed." Rev. 13:15. the notoriously degraded and corrupt, Shi'ah' priesthood., "The The "image of the beast" occurred at the time or the martyr- willing tools who prostituted their high office for. the accomplishdom of the Bab in 1850. ment of the enemy's designs were no less. than the sovereigns of These tragedies and conquests that ragcd around Damascus, the Qajar dynasty, (than ruling in Persia) ... The arch-villains who ~gyPt and the deserts of Arabia, foretold and given as warnings joined hands with the prime movers of so wicked a conspiracy 111 the Book ,of Rcvel~tion by the Lord Jesus Christ in 96 A.D., were the two grand vizirs, Haji Mirza Aqasi, the idoliz,ed tutor of had a great IIlfJuence 111 foreshadowing the religious history of the wo~ld. The "image of the beast" lived on in the bigoted ecclesi- 1 Muhammad Shah, a vulgar, false-hearted and fickle-minded schemer, and the arbitrary, bloodthirstry, reckless Amir Nizam, Mirza astIcal system of Islam, and its recrudescence was witnessed in the Taqi Khan .... Their accomplice in these and other heinous crimes

was a government bolstered up by a flock of idle, parasitical princelings and governors, corrupt, incompetent, tenaciously holding :.".: ;

to their iII-gotten privileges ... G.P.B. p.4. "And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." -v.S. As we have seen before, forty and two months CHAPTER XIV ., , signifies twelve hundred and sixty years, the length of the Muhammadan Dispensation, which ended in 1844 with the THE TIME OF HARVEST Declaration of the Bab. The Bab's martyrdom and the revolt- The Angels and the Sickles ing blood bath of His followers may be considered as the continuing power of the red dragon, the ecclesiastical system of Islam, "Thus the Day of Resurrection is also the Day of Judgment, ill which which gave power unto the "beasts." v.14-18. Christ, in 96 A.D., corruptions and imitations of the truth áare discarded ... and energies looking into the as yet unrevealed vistas of the future, in this long frozen and pent up are released to flood and renovate the world.", .•• B.N.E. p.18, remarkable Book of Revelation, has disclosed consecutive events of interrelated history and symbols, foretelling "things that would come to pass hereafter." Today we can look back on their fulfil- C" • • "

ment in the Christian and Muhammadan dispe~sations, and for- The astonishing scene changes again. "And I looked, and 10, ward toward the continued unfoldment of the New Cycle of Im- a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty man progress inaugurated by His Holiness the Bab. and four thousand, having his' Father's name written' in their The names of the "beasts" have become symbols of ignoming foreheads." v. 1. '. and degradation, whereas thousands honor and have testified to Chapter VII gives the description of the sealing of th_e hundthe sincerity of their love and devotion to the Bab, by the sacrifice red and forty and four thousand who, as it states, are those only of their lives and their all in His service, Kings and rulers might who are "The servants of God," that is, those who rise to serve well envy His quickening and regenerating power over the lives Him "before" the great tribulations force them to turn to God. and hearts of men. His eighteen disciples, the illustrious Letters Those who have gained the "Universal or Nine Consciousness" in of the living, unhesitatingly laid down their lives for Him, and the recognition of all the prophets of God, are the "Chosen Ones" one and all quaffed the cup of martyrdom. of God. If one denies anyone of the nine Divine Revelators, They were fired with "a spirit exalted, unquenchable, and how can he have gained the' ."Unified or Nine Consciousness?" awe-inspiring, a knowledge surprisingly profound, an eloquence This is clearly explained in Chapter VII.' " sweeping in its force, a piety unexcelled in its fervor, a courage In the seventh chapter it was also explained that the "serleonine in its fierceness, a self-abnegation saintly in its purity, a vants of God" were sealed with the "Seal of the living God." resolve granite-like in its firmness, a vision stupendous in its range, Here is a further' explanation-that they areá sealed with the a veneration for the Prophet and His Imams disconcerting to "Father's name in their foreheads." their adversaries ... a standard of faith and a code of conduct that References in all the Holy Books to "Theá Father" have two challenged and revolutionized the lives of their countrymen." different connotations, which have not been clearly understood. -G.P.B. p.S. One refers to the Father as Infinite Essence.'; The other considers the Father prophetically as the Great One to come into the world at the end of' the Cycle in the station' of Fatherhood. Christ stated that the Kingdom of the Father is to . be estabJished upon the earth, as well as in heaven; : He taught us to pray: "Ourá Father Who art in heaven .. ;Thy Kingdom Come, . Thy will be ;i: i' :

82 83 done in earth as it is in heaven ... "-Matt. 6:9,10. Christians gress in the path toward God .. Christ reveals.th~t:those wh~, are have invoked God by this prayer for nearly two thousand years. "sealed in their foreheads with the :seal of the hVlDg God, ,are Christ told His disciples: "But when the Comforter is come sealed with the Father's name .. v. 1. Baha'u'llah emphatically Whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of reiterates that as it is impossible to recognize the Son without the Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." recognition of the Father, so iUs impossible to recogniz:e the Fath- -John 15:26. er of this day without the recognition of the SOIl! For They are The Aramaic language, which Christ spoke, has no neuter One in Spirit. _ Therefore, the ."servants of God',} with the '~nine gender. When Christ referred to Infinite Essence, or Spirit or or unified consciousness" only are sealed with tQefatht!r'sname Breath of God, "Neumah," He used the pronoun "Shin." When in their foreheads. j , •. i ; He alluded to the One to come in the station of the Father, He "And finally, in several passages addressed to thl:: en tire b~dy used the pronoun "Wo." In the above verse and in many others of the followers of Jesus Christ He i (Baha'u')lah),identifies, Himin the Gospels, He spoke prophetically of the Divine One to come self with the 'Father' spoken of by Isaiah, with the, /.Comforter' in masculine human form, bearing witness of Christ. In the Tab- Whose Covenant He Who is the. Spirit (Jesus) had Hjmself establet addressed especialJy to the Christians, Baha'u'lhih states: lished, and with the 'Spirit of Truth' Who will guide them' 'jnto "Surely the Father hath come and hath fulfilled that which you all truth'; proclaims His Dayto.be the Day of God; announc~s the were promised in the Kingdom of God. This is the Word which conjunction of the river Jordan with the ;. 'Most Great Ocean; asthe Son, (Christ) veiled when He said to those around Him that serts their heedlessness as well as His own claim to ha~e opened at that time they could not bear it. But when the stated time unto them 'the gates of the kingdom'; affirms that the promised was ended, and the Hour arrived, the Word shone forth from the 'Temple' has been builtá 'with the hand of the, will, of the Lord, Horizon of the Will. Beware, 0 Concourse of the Son! Cast it the Mighty, the BounteQus; bids themá 'rend the veils asunder', not behind you, but hold thereunto. It is better for you than all and enter in His name His Kingdom; recalls the saying of Jesus that which is before you!. .. Verily, the Spirit of Truth is come, to to Peter' and assures them that,.if they chooseá to. follow Him, He guide you into all Truth. Verily, He speaketh not from Himself, will make them to become'quickeners -of mankind.~,'-G.P.B. nay, but rather from the All-Knowing and Wise. He is the One p.210. ",i:;-": Whom the Son hath glorified ... "-B.N.E. p.134. "And I heard a voice from heaven,: as the' vplceof many Again, in His Tablet to the Pope (Pius IX), written in 1867, waters and as the voice of a great thunder: and. 1 heard thevpice Baha'u'llah writes: "The Word which the Son concealed is made of har;ers harping with their harps: And they sung as;; ~t were a manifest. It hath been sent down in the form of the human tem- new song before the throne, and before the fouf', beasts, and eld~ ple in this day. Blessed be the Lord Who is the Father! He, ers: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and verily, is come unto the nations in His most great majesty ... This forty and four thousand, which were. redeemed, from ,the. ,earth." is the day whereon the Rock (Peter) crieth out and shouteth, and '--v. 2,3. .. ;á.i " " ' . " !",,"."'; .,', Ii .'. celebrateth the praise of its Lord, the All Possessing, the Most . These verses clearly state that the 'á'new .song'~is.the . new High, saying: 'Lo! the father is come, and that which ye were pro- Revelation, which no one could learn, save those who ,know and mised in the Kingdom is fulfilled!'I" B.W.F. p. 62. live according to the teachings of the Author of the Revelation of The "Son" is the symbol of the age of immaturit.y of man- God for this day. Theseá are' the' servants of God" :"redeemed kind, and the "Father" is the symbol of the age of maturity. The from the earth," redeemed from earthly desires and attachments, Father does not take the place of the Son, but is a more mature and who are "sealed with the Father's name 'in their, foreheads,'~ external expression of the same Holy Spirit. In the same way, already serving in His Kingdom; and singing His new song.;i the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father. They are , "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they one. The Father brings further unfoldment to accelerate our pro- are virgins.. These are theyá which follow the lamb whithersoever

I ) 84 85 He goe~h. These were redeemed from among men, being the too, is a warning to our present civilization .. Thesigm! are everyfirst-frUIts unto God and to the Lamb."-vA. where. This verse calls to mind the parable of the Ten Virgins. Matt. "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 25:1-13. "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark virgins, which took their Jamps and went forth to meet the bride- in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of groom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish."- the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the Matt. 25:1,2. When the foolish ones went away to buy oil for cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and their lamps, the Bridegroom came and they that were ready went brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. When of the L.amb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for the foolish virgins came later, crying, "Lord, open unto us," He ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship replied. "I know you not." This parable is not only a lesson for the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his ~ach soul to live a chaste, ethical, spiritual and sa in tty life, but it name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep IS also prophetic of the coming of the Bridegroom, the Prophet of the commandments of God, and the faith ofJesjls.','-v. 9~12. God for the New Day. "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither The third angel also comes with a warning, that' ,he who bethe day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."-Matt. comes selfish and greedy, and is immersed in the spirit of commer- 25: 13. Th e wise virgins are those who are prepared with the oil .. cialism and materialism, and iná any or, all of the things which of the love of God and the light of understanding gained in the tend to draw men away from the love and worship ofGod,-he service of God, who are perceptive enough to recognize Him, go shall be tested and tormented. "Verily, ye shall reap what ye sow forth to meet Him, and enter the Marriage Feast with Him: and ohtain the fruits of what ye plant., This is a pre-ordained These "are without fault before the throne of God."-v.5. These fact." - T.AB. I, p.12. Here is a word of encouragement to those are the "Chosen ones." who have kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; The next picture that Christ shows tolohn is one of angels. it is also an admonition tohave patience in the,time.oftesting. "And I, sa w another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the Then Jobn "heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, everlastmg gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, a~d to every n~tion, and kindred, and toogue, and people, SaYin~ saith the Spirit, that they may rest. from their labors; and their with a loud VOIce, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour works do follow them."-v.13. : i' of his judgment is come; and worship him that made Here again is a warning. We are judged not by what we heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." say, but by what we do and think and by how. we live.. rhe -v. 6,7. choices that we make, the way,we follow "those choices, and the I

This angel came with the everlasting gospel, which is none way we react to the tests that come to.\1S in this, p~Xiod-by,these other than the Word of God, which alone gives everlasting life' are we judged. Baha'u'lhih has emphasized . the importance of an~ no human conception, formula or philosophy, can ever do so: deeds rather than words. "Guidance hath. ever; been given by TIllS angel is warning aU mankind to fear God, to turn unto Him, words, and now it is given by deeds. Everyone must show forth to give glory unto Him, for the Judgment Day has come. deeds that are pure and holy, for .words are the property of all . "And there follo,wed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, alike, wnereas such deeds as these belong only to Our, loved ones. IS fallen, that great cIty, because she made alI nations drink of Strive then with heart and soul to distinguishyou~selves by your the wine of the wrath of her fornication." -v.8 deeds."-Hidden Words. pA8. No. 76 •. ! ' .•.

Babylon is referred to many times in Sacred Writings, and is The angels mentioned in this chapter" according to 'Abdu'lsymbolic of a wicked civilization which is destroyed because of its Baha,-S.A.Q. are spiritual and mercifulpo'Y<rrs sent to guide and vices, iniquities and corruptions, which cannot be reformed. This, warn mankind. ' , "" ,,;.,.(.u~~iḥ) •• . "~"_"n_/',::::;".P:;-;_'t.,~"-";:;"<; "

86 87

"One like unto the Son of man" is now pictured. "And 1 "And another angel came out of . the temple, which is in looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like heaven, he also having a sharp sickle; And' another .angel came U?to the Son of man, having on his head a' golden crown, and in out from the altar, which had 'power' over fire; and cried with a ~:JS hand a sharp sickle." -v.14. Christ had also foretold this. loud cry to him that had ,the sharp sickle, saying, :Thrust in thy For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for His angels: and then He shall reward every man according to his her grapes are fully ripe."-v.17, 18. ; < ' l works." -Matt. 16:27. "So shall it be in the end of this world. One angel came out of the temple: another came out of'the The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather temple which is in heaven, and still another came: out from the out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do altar, all proclaiming the time had come for the' earth to be iniquity: And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be reaped.. I:;.

wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gatherforth as :he sun it) the Kingdom of their Father."-Matt. 13:40-43. ed the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the Chnst spoke many times of the great Day of Judgment when wrath of God. And the winepress' was trodden without the city, the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father. In Matt. and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse's bridles, 13:37-40, Christ compares this Day to the time of harvest, when by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."-v.19,20. the tares are burned, and the grain gathered into barns. By the At the time of Christ there were many vineyards in Palestine "end of the world" is meant symbolically, the consummation of which constituted the only means of livelihood for' many people. the Age, or end of the Cycle. Christ teaches that the Kingdom of The grapes were gathered at harvest time; the seeds, vines, twigs the Father will be established on the earth as well as in heaven. and tendrils were all put in a big vat and trampled down together, ~he "One like unto the Son of man" in verse 14 is Baha'u'lhih, first by hare feet, then by stompers, and later by oxen. The juice lJke unto Christ. of the grapes filled the barrels, and the' refuse was thrown out and B~ ':c1ouds" is meant the things which veil the people from burned. The analogy of the winepress gives a very,vivid picture recogDlzmg the Chosen Messenger of God. Things which are the of the great day of testing, or the Day of Judgment .. :"The awfulcause of egotism, literal interpretations and all the things that ness of bloodshed that would ensure is dramatically 'portrayed by prevent us from accepting Him are clouds. Muhammad said, "Ye pictures of wine vats flowing' blood-red with 'the 'blood 'of the the,rerore, whenever ~ Messenger cometh unto you with that grapes."-T.AB, p.92. ',"le>; :;

wluch your souls desIre not, ye proudly reject Him and accuse The coming of each Prophet of God is a Day of Judgment, some of imposture and slay others."-Qur'an, Surih 2. As clouds and people are judged by the 'degree in which ; they turn to, or prevent the eyes of men from seeing the phenomenal sun so these turn from, the laws and truths which He reveals. ,All the Sacred veils hinder the people from recognizing the spirituai Sun or Books of the Divinely--Revealed ReligioUS Systems 'have foretold Light-Giver of Truth. Many turn away from the Word of Truth the great Day of' Judgment, which,;wouldpurge the old world and ar~ clouded by sayings of men. The "crown" is a symbol of order of its impurities,; and usher' in the' New World Cycle, or Kingdom of God on earth. ",' :, authOl~lt,y, and "gol~el1 crown", as was before established, signi- ')1 ,';"",,,' .;

fies splfltual authonty, The "sharp sickle" in His hand indicates As Christ "sat upon the Mount of Olives, 'the disciples came the time of harvest or reaping. unto him privately, saying, tell us, when-shall these things be? and "A?d anot,her angel came out of the temple, crying with a what shaH be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the loud VOIce to hun that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and world?"-Matt. 24:3. He answered: "When ye therefore shall see reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the Prophet, earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on stand in the holy place, (whoso r~adeth, let him understand):"- the earth; and the earth was reaped."-v. 15-16. Matt. 24-15. "~J r J )

These prophecies of Christ, as described in chapter 6, of the II earthquake, the dark day, and the shower of stars are fulfilled. The sequence of events in that fulfillment, where Christ foretold the coming of the Bab and Baha'u'lhih and of events yet to come are vividly described by 'Abdu'l-Baha in one of His tablets: "The; CHAPTER 'XV the 'Resurrection' appeared, the 'Day of JUdgment' became manifest, the 'earth' heaved and shook, the 'mountains' were leveled SEVEN GOLDEN VIALS the 'seas' boiled, the 'sun' was eclipsed, the 'luminaries' wer; The Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire dar.kened, the 'stars' scattered, the 'signs' became known, the 'bndge' expanded, the 'conditions' were fulfilled, the 'balance' "For there was need, once more, of a Divine Revelation to the torpid, was set up, the 'fire' burned fiercely and the 'paradise' became frivolous children of men, if they were not to sink altogether into the begemmedl-wherefore the devoted ones were left to amuse ape condition." - Carlyle. "Fredrick the Great." Book 1, Chap. 1. themselves with their own imaginations; the possessors of perception beheld the lights and those whose eyes were weak vanished in gloomy darkness before the appearance of the mid-day Sunl" God ordains the grand designs of ~he universe long ages - T.AB. II, pp.396-397. before they take shape, as the order of the solar systems, galaxies, Christ foretold the timeliness of these "days of tribulation": island universes, somewhat as' a dramatist completes his play when the angels would thrust in their sickles and reap. The Bab before it appears in action upon the stage. Nearly two thousand is the sixth angel and the seventh is the Angel of the Throne, years ago in 96 A.D., Christ revealed the divine vision which is Baha'u'IJah.-G.P.B.,58:94. "For then shall be great tribulation, now being enacted. such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time no We are reminded of these words of Christ: "For the Son Ofá nor ever shall be. And exceptá those d~ys should be shorte~ed: man shall' come in' the glory of the Fa.ther with his angels; and there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days then he shall reward every man according to his works." -Matt. shall be shortened."-Matt. 24:21,22. 16 : 27. Daniel also foretells: "And there shall' be . a 'time of Bah<il'u'llah describes the divine intervention by which the trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that Lord will terminate the tribulations of those days: "The world is same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every in travail and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned one that shall be found written in the book." -Dan. 12:1. towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight tbat Baha'u'Uah in this Day has also given a very potent warning: to. disclose it ~ow would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity "0 ye peoples of the world! Know, verily, that an'unforeseen wIll long contmue. And when tbe appointed houris come, there calamity is following you, and that grievous retribution awaiteth shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind you. Think not the deeds ye have' committed have been blotted to quake. Then and only then will the Divine Standard be unfurled from My sight. By My Beauty! 'All your doings; hath My Pen and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melodY."-W.O.B. graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite." -G L p.33. Hereafter, no one can ever say he was not warned for pp. 209-210. today is the great Day ofJudgment! ' "And I saw another sign in heaven, great 'and marvelous,

~ ~HEFLOWER seven angles having the seven last plagues; for in them is . filled up the wrath of God." -v. 1. . r t l ;';'.ii l • . " .

.. OF TRUTH ~ - When we speak of the "wrath of God" many people immediately become disturbed' and say: "Well," God isn't a God of wrath!" No, God is not a God of 'wrath but a God of love. He I

if 90 91 is the Creator of all law; and when we ignore the law, we are ones who have overcome all obstacles! and 'arestanding on the punished by the la w, for our disobedience; then we call Him a "sea of glass". They sing the Song of Moses, re-emphasizing the God of wrath! His Jaws are inexorable and it does not pay to Revelation of Moses. The "Lamb" in this 'case >refers to Jesus try to break them. "The seven angels with the seven last Christ and His Message. Christ said, "Had ye known Moses, ye plagues are symbolic of the punishments which come to us for would have known Me." Baha'u'llah said, "Had ye known having broken the laws of God. Moses and Jesus, ye would have'known Me." . "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and He who really lives in his heart and mind accordlllg .to ~hose them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his messages, and makes that Truth a parLof his inmost; bemg IS the image, and over his mark, and over the number of his one who sings the great song ': -"Great and marvelous are ~hy name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. works Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou Klllg And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the of sai~ts. Who. shall not fear. Thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, name? for thou only art holy." -v.3,4. i ...; Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of "And after I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle saints. Who shall not fear thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy name? of the testimony in heaven was opened: and: the seve~ angels for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship be- came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, cl()thed lllpure fore thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." -v.2-4. and white linen, and having, their .breast~. girded with. golden In Chapter 4:6 we read about the "sea of glass", and there we girdles."-v.5,6. " . ' .. , . : " ' ". learned the Key to it. The "sea of glass" is the "ocean" of truth It is apparent that those who 'brought the plagues. were not given by the Prophet of God for this Day. All the Prophets of devils as they have been often pictured, but were the true ~essen God have brought truth, but in the past, because of the immatu- gers of God, carrying out His will. They are ~dorned With pure rity of mankind, the Prophets gave only littIcrivulets, or small and white linen, signifying the garments of nghteousness ,and a streams, of truth. Christ gave a river of truth, and He said, "I stainless character; and their breasts are girded with golden gIrdles, have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them again indicating the superlative degree of their spiritual qualities now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will and perfections and of their Mission. i guide you into all truth: ... " John 16:12,13. "And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven . . In this Day, Baha'u'IIah has come and has given us not only a golden vials full of the wrath of God, Who liyeth for ever and river of truth, but a sea of truth, an ocean of truth; as Christ foretold. ever." -v.7. Those who had gotten the victory over the beast and his image and These vials were also "golden", indicatingá a spiritual destiny over the other temptations, were the ones who were standing on that these angels were to bring to fulfillment in ~his Day, d~ring this Sea of Truth. This Sea of Truth, however, is mingled with fire. the harvest period. They were to empty the VIals of the WIll of We recall the first mention of the sea of glass. (Chap.4). It did not God, the Law of God, upon the people. To those who have brosay it was mingled with fire; that it was without flaw or blemish, ken the Laws, it is punishment. To those who have learned to clear as crystal, pure and clear. How the words ring out, that it obey the Laws of God, it is r((ward \and blessing. is a sea of glass mingled with fire. This means the fire of purging, "And the temple was filled with sm9ke from the glor~ of the fire of burning, the fire of cleansing and wiping out, through God, and from His power; and no man was able to enter mto trials, calamities and tribulations, of all that does not belong in the temple, till the. seven 'plagues of the ~even angels were fulfilthe New Order of Baha'u'llah. This fire, in which the sea of led." -v.6. - v' ,._-

glass is mingled, is also the fire of the Love of God which will The very words, "Glory of God", spoken i~ Persia~, mean result because of the purging. Only those who are purified and the one word Baha'u'llah. Could it be the meamng of thIS verse found worthy, and who know the song of this New Day, are the is that no man was able to ente~jnto t~e_ ~emple, the (Baha'i . . . ."-." . .rá . . ~~'.""""",. . ,.".>"'.".T,"'"

) ) )

World Commonwealth), until the seven plagues of the seve angels were fulfilled, that is, until after the judgment Da? y n . Dr. Howard Colby Ives again expresses it beautifUlly 1mes : . in these

THY JUDGMENT DA Y CHAPTER XVI Man Speaks: ARMAGEDDON ' "', Anon I heard Thy heavenly accents say; '. The Grea(Earthquake ááf 1 :

Bles~ ~re the souls who rise amidst the dead '.,j-- I'

Attammg to Thy Union: but I've read "The time fore-ordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is That this can happen on Thy judgment Day now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures Alone. Enlighten my dense .darkness, pray! have;tll been fulfilled."-B. W. F. p.11. . ' ,

God Speaks: Is this the Judgment Day? 'I;' •. ; ", Each day is Judgment Day: but comes a Day The Battle of Armageddon is, an epic ,written by the finger of of Days when I myself in Power rise God before the scenes of today's world drama opened. Now we Amongst the dead and open ready eyes are watching its challenging unfoldment with eager searching eyes. Unto My Glory! In the Bible there are many significant prophetic warnings con- -"THE SONG CELESTIAL." cerning this climactic world drama. Three soul-stirring warnings are: (Il Christ foretold this day of reckoning.,-Matthew 13:40-42, "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world, the Son of rnanshall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his' Kingdom all things that offend, and them which' do iniquity shall cast them in a furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." "The angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the righteous." (2) Also in Matthew 7:21, we read the words of Christ: "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter' into the kingdom of, heaven,á but he that doeth the of will My Father which is in' heaven.'? (3)' ';The Prophet Zechariah also wrote: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will 'try them as gold is tried: they shall call on myname, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God."-Zech. 13:9. These are very ominous statements, especially as we study their fulfillment in the succeeding chapters' of the Book of Revelation. ' ; "',' , , 'Abdu'l-Baha gave the Keys to 'this ! strange chapter to one of THE GOLDEN VIAL the early believers in Akka, in 1909,'when He said that theá seven ) ) 94 95

angels mentioned refer to seven powers. He also said that the influential men than the 'Ulamas, such as the'Mujtahids and the darkness of the night of error will surround the world, then the MuIlas, who were deprived of the true teachings.' TheYlcorrupted sun will shine in the plenitude of its glory . the pure teachings of God, which then became as dead blood in- . John wrote: "And I heard a great voice out of the temple stead of the cause of life to the people. : ' ' ; s~YIng to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the -~ In the fifth verse" the "angel ofthe waters'á',:which is the, VIals of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went power of knowledge, is addressing God, and ,praising Him for and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisom~ judging the people justly.' :The saints and,the prophets were given and grievous sore upon the man which had the mark of the beast, to drink of the living pure water of eternal life, since' they' were and upon them which worshipped his image." Ch. 16-v. 1,2. worthy and had kept the divine'teachings pure., "' T?ese seven plagues are similar to those visited upon the "And I heard another out of the' altar say, Even so, Lord EgyptIans when Moses was leading the Children of Israel out of God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments."-v;7. bondage. One of those plagues was of locusts, one of rivers run- This confirms the statement of the "angel of. the waters" in the ning with blood, and the last plague was when "the Lord smote fifth verse, that God is just and righteous to have judged the people: all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat who had corrupted His Word. " on his throne unto the firstbotn of the captive that was in the "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; 'and dungeon ... "-Exodus 12:29. Then only did Pharaoh consent to power was given unto him to scorch men with fire~ And men the departure of Moses and the Children of Israel from the land were scorched with great heat, and blaspbemed the name of God, of Egypt. These plagues are considered by many people to have which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to happened in the literal sense only, but their great and symbolic give him glory."-v. 8,9. spiritual meaning is of the greatest importance. , The fourth angel poured out his vial upon the "sun,'.' which The first angeHs a power which pours forth its vial upon the here refers t~ Sultan'Abdu'I-Aziz . of Turkey,: "the. self-styled ~arth symbol.izing corrupt and tyrannical rulers, like the early cal- vicar of the Prophet of Islam and the absolute ruler of the mighty Iphs of Sun11l Islam. The vials really mean the influence exerted empire. So potent, . so august a personage was the first' among by these rulers. Through that influence, some who were apparently the sovereigns of the world to receive the' Divine Summons, and gO?~, but who were in wardly bad, were deprived of the Light, or the first among the sovereigns of the world to i' sustain the !impact spmtuaJly destroyed. Their characters were like those of animals of God's retributive justice."-G.P.B. p. :158.' . ; ' . . ' therefore the "mark of the beast" here signifies the character of •. "And the fifth angel poured out his 'vial upon the seat of the beast. the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness;: and they' gna wed "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea' and their totigues for pain, and blasphemed the God:of heaven beit became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul' died cause of their painsáandtheir sores;, and repented not of their in the sea."-v. 3. The second angel or power poured out his cup deeds."~v.10,11. "," ' " i ; , ',1 upon the sea, which in this symbolizes the corrupt religious and The "seat of the beast'ralludes to the Shah of Persia; seated political leaders of the Islamic hierarchy, like the 'Ulamas, who upon his throne, upon whom the cup of the fifth angel was poured were much like Caiphas in the Jewish Hierarchy, at the time of but neither he nor his subjects were admonished by the burning Christ. The second angel poured upon them the cup of the wrath fierceness of his rule not by the calamities which befell them. of.God, so that they and all those under their authority were de- "And the sixth angel poured out his vial :upon the great river pnved of the water of life. Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up,:that the way . of "And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and the kings of the east might beprepared."..,.,.v. 12. " ! ,1.,,: : . fountains of waters; and they became blood."-v.4. (See also ver- . " The Euphrates River, " upon which the sixth angel poured his ses 5 and 6.) In this verse, the "rivers and foun tains" signify less vial, symbolizes the area of Syria, Iraq and the Turkish ,Empire. . ,, ) 96 97 The drying up of the water indicates that learning and science wicked a conspiracy were the two grand vizirs, Haji Mirza Aqasi, were abolished and that ignorance prevailed over the entire re- the idolized tutor of Muhammad Shah, a vulgar, false-bearted and gion, making way for the loss of its power and influence. fickle-minded schemer, and the arbitrary, bloodthirsty, reckless "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the Amir-Nizam, Mirza Taqi Khan-the first of whom exiled the Bab mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out to the mountain fastnesses of Adhirbayjan, and the latter decreed of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of His death in Tabriz." -G.P.B. p. 4. devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the The two rulers played their part at different times, Muhamearth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that mad Shah as the "mouth of the dragon", giving power to the great day of God Almighty."-v.13, 14. "mouth of the beast", the grandvizir Haji Mirza Aqasi, and The red dragon introduced in Chapter 13, herein is symbolic Nasiri'd-Din Shah as the "mouth of the dragon", giving power to of the ~cclesiastical hierarchy, the Umayyad dynasty of Caliphs, the "mouth of the false propbet", the Amir-Nizam, Mirza Taqi or Bam-Umayya, who held away over ten Islamic countries in the Khan, one of the greatest of the 'Ulamas. The latter claimed to seventh and eighth centuries of the Christian era. In that same be the voice of God, and to have all power, and often said, "My chapter it is explained that the "image" of the beast lived on in words are revealed from on High." He was the one most responthe bigoted ecclesiastical system of Islam, and its recrudescence sible for the execution of the Bab and thousands of His followers, was witnessed in the persecutions and martyrdom of the Bab and among whom were some of tbe most erudite and learned' people His followers more than eleven centuries later. of that day . . ~n this chapter, then, we may say that the red dragon is sym- The three spirits like frogs, which came out of. the mouths of bollzmg the venal, corrupt and bigoted ecclesiastical and political the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, were the false, fanasystems of Persia. In "God Passes By", page 4, Shoghi Effendi tical and twisted teachings with which they tried to turná the peogives a vivid picture of these conditions in the time ofRis Holi~ ple of Persia against the Cause of God and to stamp it out. There ness the Bab. was great confusion, distress, ignorance, cruelty and even violent "The people among whom He (The Bab) appeared were the savagery during this period of diabolical corruption which marked most decadent race in the civilized world, grossly ignorant, savage, the reign of the red dragon. ' .. cruel, steeped in prejudice, servile in their submission to an almost "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and deified hierarchy, recalling in their abjectness the Israelites of keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Egypt in the days of Moses, in their fanaticism the Jews in the -v. 15. ' days of Jesus, and in their perversity, the idolaters of Arabia in It is the "great voice", as He is called at the beginning 9f this the days of Muhammad. The arch-enemy who repudiated His chapter, that is speaking. It was foretold that Christ would come ~Iaim, challenged His authority, persecuted His Cause, succeeded as a thief in the night. He foretold that the Lord of Hosts would 111 almost quenching His light, and who eventually became disin- also come as a thief, while the whole world is asleep and unaware. tegrated under the impact of His Revelation was the Shi'ah priest- See II Peter 3: 10. Blessed is he that is awake, is watching, and is hood ... The willing tools who prostituted their high office for the clothed with the garments of spiritual qualities and attributes, for accomplishment of the enemy's designs were no less than the he will recognize the Promised One when He comes. This is the s~vereigns of the Qajar dynasty, (as stated in Chapter 13) first, the last impressive warning before the announcement of the Battle of blgoted, the sickly, the vacillating Muhammad Shah, who at the Armageddon. last moment cancelled the Bab's imminent visit to the capital, "And he gathered them together into a place called in the and, second, the youthful and inexperienced Nasiri'd-Din Shah, Hebrew tongue Armageddon."-v.I6.' who gave his ready assent to the sentence of his Captive's death. Christ prophesies: "For nation shall rise against nation, and The arch villains who joined hands with the prime movers of so kingdom shall rise against kingdom: and there shall be famines, ~- ,.,., ,,' ' -

I 98 99 and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are people of the imminent world conflict ,that would set fire to the the beginning of sorrows."-Matt. 24:7, 8. world in 1914, and with burning fervor entreated mankind to turn That day is also pictured vividly by the Hebrew prophet to God and establish unity upon the earth. Jeremiah: "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; The battIe of Armageddon as stated by scholars can be divithey are sottish children, and they have no understanding: they ded into seven phases or struggles. are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. For . 1. The Battle of Nations. Since 1914 the World Wars have thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will been fierce, horrible and unrewarding. The ensuing "cold war" I not make a full end. The whole city shall flee for the notice of has burdened the nations with a mad munitions race and foreign the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb aid programs which bid fair to cause the collapse of their national, up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man financial and moral structures. There can be no victory with dwell therein."-Jer.4:22, 27, 29. modern weapons like the H Bomb and intercontinental guided Christ said: "In your patience possess ye your souls. And missiles. There can be only mass destruction of millions, yet the when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know insane race goes on to its destined climax. that the desolation thereof is nigh."-Luke 21:19,20. "And there 2. The Economic Battle, including the battle between Capital shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and and Labor. This ever grows more bitter as the struggle for food, upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the shelter and clothing gravely affects the world industrial system by waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking strikes and by retarding production, distribution and consumpafter those things which are corning on the earth: for the powers tion. All things are affected by this struggle. of hea ven shall be shaken. And then they shall see the Son of 3. The Political Battle, or the battle of opposing ideologies. man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when At the time of the Civil War, President Lincoln said, "We can no these things begin to corne to pass, then look up, and lift up your longer live half slave and half free; we must be all slave or all heads; for your redemption drawethnigh."-Luke 21:25,28. free." President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, during the zero Matthew reported Christ's vision of the Judgment Day as hour of World War II: "The world has now come to the time follows "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since when it can no longer live half slave and half free; we must be all the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. slave or all free, as we are all one." As the struggle between the And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh different ideologies becomes more intense, more people are swept be saved: but for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened." into the ranks of the opposing forces. In His Tablet to the Kings, Matt.. 24:21,22. "So shall it be at the end of the world: the Baha'u'Jlah warned the rulers to take measures for the mainteangels shall corne forth, and sever the wicked from among the nance of political peace, the reduction of armaments, and the re;' just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be moval of insecurity and injustice, as failure to do so would ineviwailing and gnashing of teeth."-Matt. 13:49,50. tably result in the collapse of the present civilization. Armageddon is considered to be in Roumelia and Macedonia, 4. The Battle of Disease. The whole tree of humanity is where many battles were fought and also in the M egiddon Desert sick and struggling for life as the result of the fierce competition, in the centre of what was once called Palestine. Some believe it conflict, fear, oppression, injustice, uncleanliness and ungodliness, to refer symbolically to the final battle between the forces of good which 'Abdu'l-Baha said are the causes of mental, moral, and and evil. It is also symbolic of the last battle to eliminate all war. physical disease. Every leaf of the tree of humanity shares in the 'Abdu'l-Baha stated in tablets, that the Battle of Armageddon same general sickness and is struggling for life. would begin in 1914, with World War T, that it will be finished 5. The Battle of the Forces of Nature. The unparalleled and peace established during the twentieth century. In 1912 and destruction by hurricanes, floods, tornados, avalanches, insects 1913, 'Abdu'I-Baha travelled over America and Europe warning and earthquakes since 1914 seems to be increasing each year, and ) , , The Battle of Armageddon is, therefore, the gathering of all < Iá, is due both directly and indirectly to man's disobedience of the Laws of God. It follows that deliverance from these calamities the peoples of the world into a great time of crisis, when every incan be obtained only by obedience to the laws of God. There is dividual soul, every system, institution, method, form, tradition, no chance or uncertainty about it. Turning away from God ceremony, ideology and idea, is being measured and tested. And inevitably brings disaster, and turning to God inevitably brings everything that is corrupt and not in harmony with the Divine blessings. Laws as revealed by BahaVlhih for this Day, will be swept 6. The Battle of the Races. Racial prejudices continually away. i' flare up in some part of the world, due to the denial of basic "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and human rights to one race by another. Some races, believing them- there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the selves to be superior to others, exploit the weaker races to main- throne, saying, it is done. And there were voices, thunders, and tain their own positions of dominance. In the brewing melting lightnings; and there waS a great earthquake, such as was not since pot of the many races of mankind, some of the blackest pages in men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." the world's history are the result of the horrible iniquity of racial -v.17,18. prejudice. Does not the Bible teach this unifying message? This was a vision of the great earthquake, foretold in so many "Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?" of the Sacred Writings: In the Old Testament it is foretold: Mal. 2:10. 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "God created us all of one race." "The earth shall remove out of her place."-Isaiah 13:13. - W.AB. p.137. "The lovers of mankind, these are the superior "The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard."-Isaiah men, of whatever nation, creed or colour they may be."-B.N.E. 24:20. p. 167. Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Baha. p.137. "Yea, it shall be at an instant, suddenly."-Isaiah 29:5. 7. The Battle of Religions. Of all the battles, dreadful as "Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with thunder and they are, the most cruel, bitter, devastating, and senseless is the with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and . Battle of Religions. There is nothing more fanatical, godless and the flame of devouring fire."-Isaiah 29:5,6. .. . . . . soul-destroying than for man to kill his brother in the name of re- "Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which ligion. The animosity and conflict has always been due, not to is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So true religion, but to the lack of it; it has been caused by the em- the sun returned ten degrees, by which degreesá it was gone phasis on human traditions, suppositions and forms, rather than down."-Isaiah 38:8. In the New Testament it is foretold: "And on the Word of God as revealed by His latest Manifestation, or there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers Revelator. The results of the so-called "Holy Wars" have been places.""':Matt.24:7. "And sea and the waves roaring and the ashes of destruction and desolation, oceans of turbulence and powers of heaven shall be shaken."-Luke 21:25,26. centuries of hatred. 'Abdu'l-Baha says that "If religion becomes "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against a cause of dislike, hatred and division it would be better to be kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and without it ... Any religion which is not a cause of love and unity is there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of no religion."-B.N.E. p. 165. sorrows."-Mark 13:8. Shoghi Effendi has written: "The whole of mankind is groan- And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines ing, is dying to be led to unity, and so terminate its age-long mar- and pestilences and fearful sights and great signs shall there be tyrdom. And yet it stubbornly refuses to embrace the light and from heaven."-Luke 21:11. acknowledge the sovereign authority of the one Power that can The scientists, during the Geophysical Year, learned that extricate it from its entanglements, and avert the woeful calamity cracks, shifts, creases, distortions must occur in the earth's surface that threatens to engulf it."-W.O.B. p.201. See "Candles of to keep the balance, to build a better form, and to be the means of Unity." pp. 38á39. progress in creation. When the waves of energy reach a crest in 102 103

:he earth's surface, a shift occurs in weaker areas and man calls jot or title shall remain unfulfilled." ... ~t a~ ea~thquake. Large areas are so affected as to stagger the "The day is approaching when ... He shall cleanse the earth of ImagmatlOn. the defilement of their corruption, and shall give it for an heritage Another startling fact discovered is that all fault lines or belts unto such of His servants as are nigh unto Him:" ."800n will the are co~nected in a vast network of world-wide scope, tIlat huge cry, 'Yea, yea, here am I, here am I' be heard from every land. fault hnes mean huge changes or shifts, and that means huge For they hath never before, nor can there ever be, any other reearthquakes! fuge to fly to for anyone." . There are many warnings in sacred writings of the great earth- "Beware, 0 people of Baha, lest the strong ones of tbe eartb quake and change. Isaiah warns of that day when the Lord "shall rob you of your strength, or they who rule the world fill you with shake terribly the earth" because of man's godlessness and dis- fear. Put your trust in God, and commit your affairs to His obedience to His laws:-Isaiah 2:17-18. Christ warned that keeping.á He verily, will, through the power of truth, render you amon~ otl~er terrible and destructive events, "earthquakes would victorious ... Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious will be unveiled occur m dlvers places."-Matt. 24:7. "And seas and the waves to your eyes. You are destined by Him in this world and hereroaring and the powers of heaven shall be shaken."-Luke after, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to ob- 21:25,26. tain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and everyone A member of theáCoast Geodetic Survey in California reports of them you will, no doubt,attain.".....,.A.D.J. pp. 68,69 .. that the major and minor earthquakes are increasing in number "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in and intensity. They now number about a million a year. Another which the heavens sball pass away with a great noise, and the elemember of that same survey states that any place on earth is con- ments shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works sidered as a possible earthquake zone and that the force of one that are therein shall be burned up."-II Peter 3:10. major earthquake is more than that of 25,000 atomic bombs. There are many predictions of the events of the latter days iná The divine Prophets of God, in addition to the scientists, have all the Holy Books: but in them also the assertion that, by the deall warned man to turn to God and obey His Laws, and that un- cree of God, no one will be able to unravel the meaning of these less man knows in advance and heeds the warnings, he will go prophecies until the coming of the Lord of Hosts and even then down with the destructive force. Some groups look for the great the right interpretation will be known only by those who turn to earthquake as a sign, after which the Lord will appear, as the Sec- His latest Revelation. ond Coming of Christ. Some believe that He will come in the "Then said, I, Lord, how long? And He answered, until the midst of the calamities to warn them, and that is their sign. cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, Did Noah come after the flood to warn the people? Did and the land be utterly desola:te, and the Lord have removed men Noah come in the midst of the calamities to warn the people? far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land." What is the justice in that? Isaiah 6:11,12. It is contrary to the teachings of every Prophet of God. Baha'u'llah has w r i t t e n : ' . Each Prophet is the Noah for His Day. Does He not come as the "The promised day is come, the day when tormenting trials Voice of God and .warn before the calamities begin, that all may will have surged above your heads, and beneath your feet, saying: have the opportullIty to know alld heed His warning and abide by 'Taste what your hands have wroughtl' "The time for the destruc- His Law? tion of the world and its people hath arrived. He who is the It is clearly established that Baha'u'IJah since 1863, before Pre-Existent is come, that He may bestow everlasting life, and t~le world-wi~~ calamities, has given more staggering warnings, grant eternal preservation, and confer that which is . conduciveá to slgns, admomtlOns and promises than ever before had been given. true living."-A.D.J. p. 68. More than a century ago, Baha'u'lIcih We are living today in the midst of their fulfillment, when not "a warned "Earthquakes have broken loose, and the tribes have lam- ) ) ented, for fear of God, the Lord of Strength, the All-Compelling'. munity ... Bestir yourselves; Opeople, .. ~for the Promised Hour is Say: 'The stunning trumpet-blast hath been loudly raised' ... ; 'Hath now come ... " the Catastrophe come to pass?' Say: 'Yea, by the Lord of Lords!' "We have fixed a time for you, 0 people! If ye fail, at the ....'Have the tree-stumps been uprooted?' 'Yea, more; the moun- appointed hour, to turn toward God, He, verily, will lay violent tams have been scattered in dust; by Him the Lord of attributes!'" hold on you, and will cause grievous affiictions to assail you from -E.S.W. p.132. every direction ... O ye peoples of the world! -Know verily that an "The hour is approaching when the most great convulsion will unforeseen calamity is following you and that grievous retribution ha~e appeared ... (civilization's) flame will devour the cities .. know, awaiteth you ... The whole earth, . .isnow in astateáof pregnancy. venly, t?at ~n unfor~seen calamity is following you, and that griev- The day is approaching when it will have yielded its noblest fruits ous retnbutlOn awalteth you .. the revelations of My grace and ... The time is approaching when every created thing will have bounty have permeated every atom of the universe." ... "For there cast its burden."-P.D.C. pp.3-4. . hath never been, nor can there ever be, any other refuge to fly to In the New York Herald-Tribune, Rafaele Bendani, noted for anyone." "And when the appointed hour is come, there shall seismologist, who predicted several majorá earthquakes, gave as suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to his studied opinion that earthquakes throughout the world, in quake. Then, and only then, wiJI the Divine Standard be unfur- 1940 and on, would be but a prelude to a great event in which the led, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody."-A.D.J. core of the earth would be displaced.-'-Dec.31,1939 .. The very pp. 68,69. . words stated in a Tablet by'Abdu'I-Baha, written in Egypt in "Disasters overtaking Europe and America, more effective than 1913 ,. i .•• . ' , : . :. •

a~y tribulati~ns .yet suffered in either continent, may yet attend '~--'~--;Abdu'l-Baha in 1912 said toa group of people in Ameri;~~"! wor]~; t stIll more majestIc revelations" '" "The champion builders of the ;hat, ere long a grea,,t earthquake will Change,' the , T,hen in. Baha'i rising World Order must scale nobler heights of heroism as the stream oftime will the New World Order of Baha u Hah behum.anity plunges into greater depths of despair, degradation, dis- come firmly established. There are many' other referencesth~t senSIOn and distress. Let them forge ahead into the future, sere- might be quoted from the words of Baha'u'lIah:and 'Abdu'l-Baha, nely confident that the hour of their mightiest exertions and the warning and exhorting people to prepare spiritually for the .Grea t supreme opportunity for their greatest exploits must coincide with Change. the "apocalyptic upheaval" marking the lowest ebb in mankind's A rigid traditionalism and, frozen fear has cramped the souls fast declining fortunes."-Shoghi Effendi, Nov. 3, 1949. "Whoso of men, so that they have been veiled from understanding the true is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and ... proclaim this meaning of scriptural prophecies .. Daniel also foretold thisá con~ Revelation, whose power hath caused the foundations of the dition: "But thou, ODaniel, shut up the words, an9- seal the mightiest structures to quake, every mountain to be crushed into book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and dust, and every soul to be dumb-founded."-A.D.J. p.70. "A few knowledge shall be increased ... And be said, . go thy way, Daniel: _~~~~_t~_e earth will roll on it~~xi.s ap.d theJ>~~J!eetjl1g_YisipI1s wiHbe for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. ~_~~)]~eteI_y~.s§f.ten."::':'Abdu'l- Balla, in Egypt in 1913.~-'~He Many shall be purified; and made white and tried; but the w~cked shall c~ean.se the earth from the defilement of their corruption and shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked sball understand; but shall gIVe It for an heritage unto sllch of His servants as are nigh the wise shall understand." Daniel 12: 4,9,10. ' u~to Him." ... "This judgment of God .. .is both a retributory cala- Had the Shah of Persia and the Sultan of Turkey, with their mIty and an act of holy and supreme discipline. It is at once a ministers, recognized the clear prophetic signs and evidences given visitation from God and a cleansing process for all mankind. It's by their Prophet Muhammad of the advent of the promised Qa'im fires punish the perversity of the human race and weld its com- who would be a blood-descendant of Mubammad,bad they heedponent parts into one organic, indivisible, world-embracing com- ed the admonitions of Muhammad 'and recognized the Qa'im in ) 106 107

the person of the new High-Prophet, His Holiness the Bab, and early gIimmerings of which can now be discerned. The second had they not been guilty of a long period of heinous crimes and candle is unity of thought in world undertakings, the consummahorrible tortures-then, many believe, the picture would not have tion of which will ere long be witnessed. The third candle is unity been so dark, and the world outlook so menacing today. in freedom which will surely come to pass. The fourth candle is "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the unity in religion which is the corner-stone of the foundation itself, cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance and which, by the power of God, will be revealed in all its splend~ before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness or. The fifth candle is the unity of nations-a unity which in this of His wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were century will be securely established, causing all the peoples of the not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, world to regard themselves as citizens of one common fatherland. every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed The sixth candle is unity of races, making of all that dwell on God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was earth peoples and kindreds of one race. The seventh candle is exceeding great."-v. 19-21. unity of language, i.e., the choice ofá a universal tongue in which The islands and mountains that fled away, are those things all peoples will be instructed and converse. Each and everyone that people thought would remain forever, unchanged, i.e. the of these will inevitably come to pass, inasmuch as the power of kingdoms, governments, sects and denominations, institutions, etc. the Kingdom of God will aid and assist in their realization."- The great hail symbolizes weapons of destruction or all kinds that W.O.B. p.39. shall rain down from the skies upon men, whether in the form of In the Psalms of David the words of this promise cheer the lethal gases, deadly disease germs, radioactive lethal fallout from heart. "Because thou hast made the Lord, . which is my refuge, atomic explosions, guided missiles, or bombs, "weighing about a even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall ,i ' talent." This weight is figurative, not necessarily exact, but the thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he weight of an Attic talent was about 58 pounds. "And the people shall give his angels charge over tnee', to keep thee in all thy blasphemed God because of the plagues alid turned not to God to ways."":"Psalm 91: v. 9,10,11.á . . glorify Him." "0 ye of little faith!" _ Bahi'u'lhih proclaims in these powerful and glorious words: (t--- "Must humanity, tormented as she now is, be afflicted wit;- "Blessed are the people of Bahi! God bearethMe witness! i still severer tribulations ere their purifying influence can pre- I They are the solace of the eye of creation;' . Through .• them ' ~he. pare her to enter the heavenly Kingdom destined to be established t universes have been adorned, and the Preserved Tablet embellIshupon earth? Must the inauguration of so vast, so unique, so illum- ed. They are the ones who have sailed on the ark ofá complete ined an era in human history be ushered in by so great a catastro- independence, with their faces set towards the Day-Spring of phe in quman affairs as to recall, nay surpass, the appall- Beauty. How great is their blessedness that they have attained ing collapse of Roman civilization in the first centuries of the unto what their Lord, the Omniscient, the All-Wise, hath willed. Christian era? Must a series of pr~~und~_-fonvulsio.Q~ stir anc:L Through their light the heavens have been adorned, and the faces rock the human race er:eBaha'u'IIihcan be enthron~~rj~--the of those that have drawn nigh unto Him made to shine ... How Il~~ar~S!111d~cons~ie~ces~f:t!1_el!~!1§.s~~:er~'Hi;-u;disp~l-ed as~~~d- great is the Cause, how staggering the weight of its Messagel"- ancy is universally recognized, and the noble edifice of His World I A.D.J.p.64. : ' lQrder is reared and established?" - W.O.B. pp.201-202. _.-----l 'Abdu'l-Baha assures us that, in spite of the trials and tribulations through which humanity must still pass, this century of . ',: light will bring about the unity of mankind. , "Behold how its light is now dawning upon the world's dark- ,

, ' , ,--,." ened horizon. The first candle is unity in the political realm, the ) )

vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with'whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have' been made CHAPTER XVII drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away á(i: :j' in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a THE SIREN scarlet-colored beast, full of names, of blasphemy, having seven Babylon the Great heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, "0 people! The darkness of greed and envy obscures the light of the having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations andfilthisoul as the cloud prevents the penetration of the sun's rays."- ness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name Baha'u'llah.-Tablet to some Iranian Zoroastrians. written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and The vivid drama of the Judgment Day pictured by Isaiah with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:' and when I saw her, I now brings the Revelation of Christ into clearer focus. wondered with great admiration." v. 1-6. ~ "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it There are many interpretations of this beautiful woman, thIS waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the in- siren bedecked with' gold and precious' stones, who is called: habitants thereof... The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,THE MOTHER OF spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word ... The earth mourneth HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OFTHEEARTH." Count and fadethaway, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the Tolstoy, i~ his Classic prophecy of this day, published i.n Germany, haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is de- France, Egypt and America, impressively describes thIS woman as filed under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgress- a siren, a f;uper-Venus, whose voice clinked like gold. She had ed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting cov- in her hand three torches; one with which she set flame to the enant. Therefore hath thecurse de voured the earth, and they nations of the world; one with which she set flame to the fam.ily that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the relations, which became disruptedá and chaotic; and the thIrd earth are burned, and few men left."--'-Isaiah 24: 1,3-6. torch, with which she set flame to the churches and to those before Bahi'u'llah also gives clearer warnings for this day. "Soon", the altars. Tolstoy, in his prophecy, further describing this super- He states, "will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new Venus, tells how, when the world was'inflamed, he looked and one spread out in its stead. Verily, tby Lord speaketb the truth, sa w upon her forehead her name written in letters of scarlet, and is the Knower of things unseen." -G1. p.77. "The world's "COMMERCIALISM"! 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "The signsá of equilibrium," He asserts, "bath been upset through the vibrating impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned.:'- influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's B.N.E. p. 144. The spirit of commercialism has entered mto ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this everything, causing these frightening conditions. It has destroyunique, this wondrous System-the like of which mortal eyes ed homes set flame to nations, and even entered into the sacred have never witnessed."-Gl. p. 136. "The signs of impending institutiods. She was drunken with the blood of saints and with convulsions and chaos," He warns the peoples of the world, the blood of the martyrs ofJesus.Wben John looked at her, he "can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing Order appear- wondered about her with great admiration. 'Has not the entire eth to be lamentably defective."-W.O.B. p. 162. world been enticed by the spirit of greed and commercialism? The "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven Bible refers to her also as Jozebel, the great and beautiful woman 110 111 who enticed the kings and rulers and even the poor and lowly. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is Shoghi Effendi describes the world today as "spiritually destitute, of the seven, and goeth into perdition.á And theá ten horns which morally bankrupt, politically disrupted, socially convulsed, econo- thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; mically paralyzed, writhing, bleeding and breaking up beneath but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have the avenging rod of God." P.D.C. p. 15. one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." "And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? -v. 9-13. I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that This refers again to the ecclesiastical hierarchy of Islam, carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns. The which became so corrupt and powerful throughout those ten counbeast that thou saw est was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the tries. The spirit of commercialism and greed and fantaticism had bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the spread over all those countries. The eighth or image of the beast earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of had not yet come, which alludes to the time of the end when that life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast same spirit of commercialism and fanaticism'under the corrupt that was, and is not, and yet is."-v.7,8. ecclesiastical power, would spread toa still greater degree over This indicates that the power of the beast had existed, that it the entire world, .' continued for a time, then seemed to lose its power for a time, "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall then continued on, and is still very strong in the minds, hearts overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and King of kings: and and attitudes of many of the peoples of the world. they that are with him are called and chosen, and faithful." The scarlet-colored beast with seven heads and ten horns, -v. 14. ' which carried the WOMAN, again refers to early Islamic history. This Lamb refers to the Bab, , Christ is giving the message The two beasts as explained by Shoghi Effendi, are the Bani- toJohnof thethingsthatmust come to passhereafftr. The spirit Umayya, "who weteand were not" are Mll'aviyyih and Yazid, of greed, commercialism and famiticism did make war with the sixth and seventh caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty, whose capital Lamb and His followers at' the time' of the: martyrdom of the was Damascus, in Syria. The Bani-Umayya, and the ecclesiasti- 20,000 in Iran. "He is Lord of Lords and King of kings." Christ cal system that followed, were always trying to find and destroy foretold His coming and gave His Name, which in the Persian the Promised One, who was to be one of the descendants of language is Baha'u'llah. "He (the Bab) Whom Baha'u'llah. has Muhammad, somewhat as did Herod at the time of Christ. In acclaimed... as that promised Qa'im Who has manifested no less Rev. 13:5, it is stated that power was given unto the beasts to than twenty-five out of the twenty-seven lettersá which all the Procontinue for 42 months, or 1260 years by the Muhammadan cal- phets were destined to reveal-so great a Revealer has Hims~lf endar which ended in 1844, the time of the Manifestation of the testified tothe pre-eminence of that superior Revelation that was Bab. For eleven centuries this power had appeared to lie dor- soon to supersede His own." -W.O.B.pp. 100,101. There is mant, but broke out anew with the terrible persecutions and only one previous record in all recorded history of two major bloody martyrdoms of the Bab and many of His followers. These Prophets (Melchizedek and Abraham) living contemporaneously heinolls crimes were instigated by the two "arch-villains", Haji upon the earth, and each establishing the station of the other. Mirza Aqasi and Mirza Taqi Khan, symbolic successors in infamy The spirit of Baha'u'llah was in the Bab as ,the flower is in the of Mu'aviyyih and Yazid, the beasts that "were, and are not, and bud. The Bab declared concerningá His own Book; "The Bayan yet are."-S.A.Q. pp. 56,60,80-G.P.B. p.4. deriveth all its glory from 'Him Whom God shall make manifest'." "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads -W.O.B. pp. 100,101. are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there "And they that are withá Him are called, and chosen,' and are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not faithful." Those who recognize the Manifestation, see His truth; yet come: and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. and arise to serve Him in this day, these are they who are called, ) 112 113 and chosen, and faithful. Shoghi Effendi wrote: "Never indeed have the.re been suc.h "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where widespread and basic upheavals, whether in the SOCIal, :conom~c the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and or political spheres of human activity as those now gOlllg on III tongues; And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, different parts of the world. Never have there been so many and these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and varied sources of danger as those that now threaten the structure naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God of society. The following words of Baha'u'lllih are indeed signifihath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give cant. .. 'How long will humanity persist in its waywardness? their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be ful- How long will injustice continue? How long is chaos and confufilled." -v. 14,15-17. Therefore, until the Word of God vita- sion to reign amongst men'1 How long will discord agitate the lizes the hearts of the people, the beast will continue to exercise face of society'?"-W.O.B. p. 32. his great power, that is, the WOMAN, or spirit of COMMERCIA- "The whole earth," He also writes, "is now in a state .of LISM, will continue to seduce mankind for "one hour" -v. 12. pregnancy. The day is approaching when it will have yielded. Its "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which noblest fruits, when from it will have sprung forth the lo~tlest reigneth over the kings of the earth." -v. 18. "City" here trees, the most enchanting blossoms, the most heavenly bleSSIngs. signifies corrupt civilization, which however, will last only "one Immeasurably exalted is the breeze that wafteth from the garment hour," as stated in verse 12, which figure has a symbolic meaning. of thy Lord, the Glorified! For 10, it hathá breathed its. fragrance "We have a fixed time for you, 0 peoples! If ye fail, at the ap- and made all things new! Well is it with them that comprehend." pointed hour, to turn toward God, He, verily, will lay violent hold -W.O.B. p. 169. on you, and will cause grievous affiictions to assail you from every direction." -B.N.E. p. 144. Count Tolstoy states in his remarkable prophecy, which he wrote in 1908, "I see, floating upon the surface of the Sea of Human Fate, a huge silhouette of a nude woman. She is, with her beauty, poise, her smile, her jewels, a Super-Venus. Nations rush madly after her, each eager to attract her especially. But she, like an eternal Courtesan flirts with all. In her crown of diamonds and rubies is engraved her name, "Commercialism." As alluring and bewitching as she seems, much destruction and agony follow in her wake. Her breath reeking of sordid transactions, her voice of metallic .character like gold, and her look of greed are so much poison to the nations who fall easy victims to her charms .... " "There will come a time when the world will have no use for armies, hypocritical religions, and degenerate art. Life is evolution, and evolution is development from the simple to the sublimer forms of mind and body. I see the passing show of the World-Drama in its present form, as it fades like the glow of evening upon the mountains. One motion of the hand of Com- . . mercialism and a New History Begins!" - Tolstoy's World prophecy. THEá-E'ARTH .•. QUAKi:!3, .•. )

the Father's Kingdom is ready and waiting for His children to unite and establish it. "And after these things 1 saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon CHAPTER XVIII the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and NO MORE AT ALL hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath Earth Shall Shine With His Glory of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchantsá of the earthá are. waxed ',I rich through the abundance of her delicacies." -v.I-3. ::r "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."-Matt. 6:21 What a picture of the world as it was in . the time of ancient Babylon! Civilization was destroyed as the Old Testament had foretold because of the ungodliness and corruption and foulness of Thus shall the Great Babylon go down! everything in that day. Christ recalls the same picture as he fore- The curtain rises on the next scene of the shocking and un- warns of conditions existing in the world today. The great civilifolding world drama. "As therefore the tares are gathered and zation, which man has so proudly built, is today tottering and disburned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The integrating under the disruptive influence of godlessness, material- Son of man shan send forth his angels, and they shall gather out ism, commercialism and other chronic ills which beset it on every of his kingdom all things that offend, an~ them which do iniquity; hand. and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come outá and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto let him hear."-Matt. 13:40-43. heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."~v. 4,5. How Baha'u'lhih has stated that there may be terrible events and soul-stirring are these words! The Spirit of God, Christ, is here unparalleled calamities yet awhile on the earth, but He assures us calling mankind to come out of this corrupt, materialistic, comthat "ere long these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall cease, mercialized and godless civilization, and to turn to God and reand The Most Great Peace shall come."-B.N.E. p.53. War and member Him in all the affairs of life. strife have become so intolerable in their destructiveness that "Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her mankind must find deliverance from them or perish. The fullness double according to her works: in the cup which:she hath filled, of time has come and with it the promised Deliverer. It seems fill to her double."-v.6 .. It seems that in this period of transition that never before the present time, with the use of atomic fission into the new cycle, everything is being doubled whether it be and fusion bombs, long range guided missiles, and other deadly good or evil, and this will continue until the Day of Reckoning. chemical and bacteriological weapons, .could such quick and hor- Those things that are not in harmony with the Word of God and rible destruction of large cities and industrial centers take place. cannot be raised to conform with the lofty standards of the New ! Radio-active fall-out carried by air currents after atomic explo- World Order, will catastrophically disappear. , '. I' I sions is now recognized by responsible scientists as a threat to all "How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, life on our planet, should enough explosions be set off. It seems so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, that destruction will continue until all humanity awakens to the 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.' Therefact that "the earth is one country and mankind its citizens"; that fore, she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord ) ) Peace is dawning. God Who judgeth her."-v.7,8. The spirit of commercialism, or "And. a mighty angel took up a stone like a great' millstone, the super-Venus that has seduced almost everyone, is now being and cast it into the sea, saying, 'Thus with violence shall that judged. great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more "And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication at all'!"-v.21. and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her and lament for Many people believe that the natural processes of evolution her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar are sufficient to bring about the changes that are coming in the off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city world. We have observed these evolutionary changes, and they Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come!" have been far-reaching. In fact, there is little left today that exist- -v.9,IO. ed a century ago. But evolution alone is not enough .. Christ, This pictures the great judgment of the civilizations of the appearing to John, foretold that the great c~ty, Babylon, w?uld be world as we know them today. thrown down "with violence", suddenly, lIke a great mIllstone, "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over cast into the sea. Would the mill stone, under these circumsther; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The mer- ances, roll down gently into the sea? i No. It would be cast down chandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, suddenly and with great force and a great splash, to be "found and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine no more at all." Thus the great corrupt civilization, symbolized wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of by Babylon, disappears in the twinkling of an eye. That.is to most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cin- say, the old forms, the old systems, the old methods, the old Ideonamon and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, logies-aIl of those things which belong to the old orde~, a~d and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and which are not worthy to be lifted up into the new order-wIll diS- horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits appear. . . . that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things' "And the voice ofharpers, and mUSICIans, and of pipers, and which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and n~ craftsshalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, man of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more 10 th~e; which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of and'the sound of a mill-stone shall be heard no more at all in her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas, that thee." - v .22. great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, Undoubtedly you have heard these impressive words sung in and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one Handel's Messiah, that marvelous oratorio. This verse is in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, of the choruses where the sopranos, the hmors, the altos, the bariand all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as tra.de by tones and the basses take up the words one after the other, singsea, stood far off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burn- ing it over and over again in crescendo, furnishing a most vivid ing, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast picture of these cataclysmic events.' . . dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, "And the light of a candle shall shme no more at aUlD thee; alas. that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles the earth' for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her."-v. ] \-20. This her was found the blood of the prophets, and of the saints, and of pictures more vividly the Day of Judgment, the Day of Reward all that were slain upon the earth."-v.23,24. and punishment. Those who have turned toward God and His What a dramatic picture of the destruction, not only of the Manifestation for this Day, have nothing to fear, but should re- ancient Babylon, but of the old order today, with all that has bejoice when these things come to pass, for the glorious Day of i ) ) )

come ourworn, obsolete, corrupt and evil! When it occurs, we should not weep or wail, but rather rejoice, for it means the beginning of a marvelous new civilization that shal1 lift mankind to a higher level of scientific and spiritual attainment than has ever before been possible. Thus shall great Babylon go down! CHAPTER XIX "My servants shall sing for joy of heart, ... For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be re- THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD membered, nor come into mind."-Isaiah 65:14, 17. KING OF KINGS-LORD OF LORDS ; , ' ". '.J., - , ,

"The Call of God," 'Abdu'I-Baha has written, "when raised, breathed a new life into the body of mankind, and infused a new "I bear witness, 0 friends! that the favour is complete, the argument spirit into the whole creation. It is for this reason that the world fulfilled, the proof manifest and the evidence estabJished.'~ - Hidden hath been moved to its depths, and the hearts and consciences of Words of Baha'u'Jlah. m~n ha~e been quickened. Erelong the evidences of this regener- , ' 'i-

atIOn WIll be revealed, and the fast asleep will be awakened."- W.O.B. p.169. "Blessed are the pure in heart for 'they shall see God."- Also, "Rejoice, then, 0 ,ye beloved of the Lord and His Matt.8:5. God draws the curtain. A gleam oflight glows in the chosen .ones, and ye the chil~ren of God and His people, raise darkness. your VOIce and laud and magmfy the Lord, the Most High; for His "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: light hath beamed forth, His signs have appeared, and the billows they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them of His rising ocean have scattered on every shore many a precious hath the light shined ... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son pearI."-B.W.F. p.351. When man finds, "The Pearl of Great is given: and the government shall be llPon his shoulder: and his Price," then all other pearls become as nauglit, as stated in these name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the lovely lines by Howard Colby Ives. Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his God Speaks: government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of Look how the merchant seeks year after year David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with For goodly pearls. The pearl of greatest price judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The Once having found, all lesser pearls are naught. zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."-Isaiah 9:2,6,7. For every joy, and with that joy distraught, We know, that Christ is the Light. of the World and the He hastens to the market-place and sells Saviour of mankind,' but for nearly 2,000 years since His appear- All that he hath that he may buy that pearl. ance,the great majority ofthe people of the world have been -Song Celestial. Page 9. walking in darkness, and have continued to groan under the pressure of economic slavery, crime and injustice.: In this day, God has again spoken to mankind, through His Messenger, Who has revealed the basic laws, principles and patterns for world government, world justice and world peace. The government was not THE PEARL OF upon the. shoulders of Christ.' There has never been a Christian government nor a world government. ' The western world was not GREAT PRICE discovered until centuries after Jesus: was upon earth. All that Christ said 'about government was: ','Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be ) 120 121 God's."-Luke 20:25. Baha'u'llah alone has revealed laws for This refers to the Lamb for this Day. "The fine linen is the world government. righteousness of saints" indicates that this marriage is; not, "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people to be taken literally, but symbolically, and spiritually. in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and ~'Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his of the Lamb," has a very great significance. 'Abdu'l-Baha has judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt explained how the Bab fulfilled, after 1260 years,all the prophethe earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his cies of Muhammad tegarding the One Who has to come from the servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her lineage of Muhammad. 'Abdu'l-Baha, also depicted the Bab's smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders fiery zeal, His lofty standards of conduct that challenged and reand the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the volutionized the lives of His followers, and established a loyalty throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the unrivalled in religious history. The Bab declared that He was throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that but the Herald of One greater than Himself, Whom GodwouJd fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice make manifest, and that "a thousand perusals of the Bayan (His of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the Book) cannot equal the perusal of a single verse to be revealed by voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Him Whom God shall make manifest." . He also stated that "the omnipotent reigneth."-v.1-6. Bayan deriveth all its glory from Him Whom God shall make The four and twenty elders, who are the disciples of the Bab manifest."-G.P.B. p.30.áá ,' , ; and Baha'u'llah for this Day, and the four beasts, meaning the Before His martyrdom, the Bab called His devoted followers rulers, who will spread the Message of Baha'u'llah rapidly over to turn to the Revelation of Baha'u'llah, which was soon to superthe world, bowed down before the One that sat upon the throne. sede His own. Those of the Bab's followers who truly recognized The One that sat upon the throne is the Divine Mirror reflecting the station of the Rib, did turn to Baha'u'llah. Because of their the glory of God- Baha'u'llah.-S.A.Q. One translation of the instant, exact and complete obedience and of their great' spiritual word "Amen" is "Praise ye the Lord", or "Be it so." The "voice capacity, they recognized Baha'u'llah .. These are they who parof many waters" means the outpouring of much spiritual know- took of the marriage supper of the Lamb! Those who said, "The. ledge, and the "voice of mighty thunderings" signifies the great- Bab is sufficient unto us," were veiled spiritually from recognizing ness of the volume of the chorus of the multitudes, singing, "Praise Baha'u'llah, therefore could not enter and partake of the marriage ye the Lord, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." supper of the Lamb," "and the door was shut." Matt. 25:10. The picture now changes. "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give The same is true in this Day. The followers ofá every Faith honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife are looking for the coming of One called by the name of the Pro-. hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should phet of their Faith, or by another name, or title, which they bebe arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the lieve was designated by Him. Thus the Christians are looking righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, "Write, Blessed for the return of Jesus; the Buddhists expect the cFifth Buddha, are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. "a Buddha named Maitreye, the Buddha of universal fellowship,", And he saith unto me, "These are the true sayings of God."- the Hindus are awaiting the One foretold in the Bhagavad-Gita as, v.6-9. the "Tenth Avatar". the "Immaculate Manifestation of Krishna," Many in the Christian world have considered the "marriage the Jews are looking for the coming of their "Messiah," the Zoro-' supper of the Lamb" as referring to the marriage of Christ and astrians are looking for the advent of the World-Saviour, "Shahthe Church, which is helpful in a limited way. Christ was one Bahram," Shi'ah Muslims are expecting the return of the "Imam Lamb, according to the Bible, and the Bab was the other Lamb, Husayn," and the Sunni Muslims look for the descent of the both ordained for slaughter from "the foundation of the world." "Spirit ofGod."-G.P.B.pp. 94,95. 'J ) 122 123

Christ is calling the whole world to awaken to the recognition learned about the coming of the Four Horsemen, one on a white of the "Spirit of Truth" promised in John 16 : 13, Who would a horse, one on a red horse, one on black horse and obe on a pale guide alI people "into all truth." In fulfilment of this promise horse. Many think the white horse of this chapter is the same that "spirit of Truth" has been sent to mankind, not only to one white horse of chapter six, but obviously this is a' different one. religion, but to all religions, in the form of the Messenger of God The impressive symbol here is the "horse" riding forth, coming for this day, Him Whom God hath made manifest, Baha'u'llah. into manifestation, and the "white horse" signifies riding forth ,; i' Those that do truly believe in Christ and who love Him devotedly, with pure and heavenly qualities and attributes. The white turn unto and obey that same Christ Spirit returned in Baha'u'llah. horse in the sixth chapter had a rider with a bow but no arrow, These are the ones who will partake of the "marriage supper of the and with a crown, but not a golden crown. That white horse Lamb." This great truth applies likewise to the followers of symbolizes theology, which rides forth in the s:mblance of religion other great religious systems. However, there are many people "conquering and to conquer", but in the end It does not .conquer. today who do not recognize the station of Christ nor that of the The white horse in this chapter is obviously another whIte horse. One Whom Christ foretold would come in this Day, and these H has a rider whose name is called Faithful and True, "And in are the ones who are deprived of partaking of the "marriage supper righteousness He doth judge and make war,:'-v. l1.."The beauof the Lamb." "And the door was shut."- Matt, 25:10. What tiful and glorious person riding upon the whIte horseá IS the Greatmore could Christ say in warning the world? test Name and the white horse means also Hisá glorious" body." John was so impressed by what the angel had shown him that -T.AB. III, p. 681. ' ""," ,;" . " ,', he "fell at his feet to worship him," but the angel said unto him, "His eyes were as a flame of fire,and on bishead were many "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren crowns' and he had a name written/'that no' man knew but he that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimo- himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and ny ofJesus is thespirit of prophecy." -v. 10. In other words this his name is called The Word of God."--'-v. 12,13. ,The symbol, . angel said: "Do not worship me, as I am only a human being "eyes as a flame of fire," is the symbol given by Christ of the One in the human orbit of evolution, as are you; turn to God and "Like unto the ,Son of man." Christ was the gentle Nazarene, worship Him, and recognize the testimony of Jesus, which is the and the other Prophets were marked by certain attributes, while spirit of prophecy." Here Christ is saying that He is bearing Bihi'u'Hah is symbolized as having "eyes as a flame of fire". The witness of the One He prophesied who would come after Him. one photograph of Baha'u'llah in exist~?c~ verifies this fact. . His Teaching, as the Saviour, the Light of the World, in His "On His Head were many crowns : It has been establIshed Dispensation, was limited because of man's immaturity. However, that "crown" symbolizes authority, and "golden crown" denotes He foretells that a greater Light is to come in the New Cycle. spiritual authority. His many crow~,s' were golden, sinc~'. His He is prophesying about something to come later, when mankind name was called "The Word of God, for what greater spmtual will have become more mature, with greater spiritual capacity. authority could anyone have than beingcaUed "The Word Added light is needed in the world from age to age. Christ had of God"? All the Prophets "brought'~the Word of God, ,bd~~' all light, all power, all knowledge, all truth. There is nothing Christ and Baha'u'llah, only, are "called" "The Word of Go ." greater than all. But there was no ear to hear, nor heart to Therefore, to the whole Christian world, ' Behold! ' ,Baha'u'llih is understand more than He gave in His Day. So He foretold the the Second Coming of "The Word of God!'~.á:;'á :, ',' ',' One to come in this Day, Who would reveal truth in accordance "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood." Many with the greater need and maturity of mankind. Christian groups teach that we must be washed in the blood of "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he JesuS and interpret this blood to be literal.' It has a far greater that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteous- meaning, however. It has 'a meaning of much "spiritual life ness he doth judge and make war." -v. 11. In the sixth chapter, we force." The vesture of the rider of the white horse was dipped

in this spiritual life force, the power of the Holy Spirit. 125 "And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us .... " Prophets of the past have foretold the One' to come in this Day. -:-John 1:14 .. 'Abdu'l-Baha with great clarity states: "The perfec- In the Sacred Writings of the world, many prophecies occur, which tIons of Chnst are called the Word, because all the beings are in have 'been fulfilled in the coming of Bahi'u'Hah. Some of these the. condition of letters, and one letter has not a complete meaning; are clearly set forth in "God Passes By", by Shoghi Effendi. whIlst the perfections of Christ have the power of the Word, He Who in such dramatic circumstances 'was made to sustain because a complete meaning can be inferred from a word. As the over-powering weight of so glorious a Mission was none other t~e Reality of Christ was the Manifestation of the divine perfec- than the One Whom posterity will acclaim, and Whom innumertIOns, therefore it was like the Word. Why? Because He is able followers already recognize, as the Judge, the Lawgiver and the sum of perfect meanings. This is why He is called "the Redeemer of all mankind, as the Organizer of the entire planet, Word".-S.A.Q. p. 241. as the Unifier of the children of men; as the Inaugurator of the He Whom Christ foretold, Baha'u'lhih, is also called "The long-awaited millennium, as the Originator of a new 'Universal Word of God". Emphatically, all the Prophets "brought" the Cycle', as the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, as the Foun- Word, while Christ and Baha'u'Hah were "called" "The Word of tain of the Most Great Justice, as the Pro claimer of the coming of God." Thus, the Second Coming of "The Word of God", is al- age of the entire human race, 'as the Creator of a new World Orready manifest in Baha'u'Uah. der, and as the inspirer and Founder of a world civilization.-See . "And the armies which were in heaven foIlowed Him upon G.P.B. pp. 93,94. whIte horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."-v.14. In the name He bore He combined those of the Imam Husayn These armies which followed Him "upon white horses", are those the most illustrious of the successors of the Apostle of God - ~ho have turned towards and recognized the Light and the Truth the brightest "star" shining in the "crown" mentioned in the III the patterns for World Order and Spiritual progress as given by . Revelation ofSt. John and of the Imam 'Ali,the Commander of ~aha'u'llah for this new Day. These armies are already marching the Faithful, the second of the two "witnesses" extolled in that III every land throughout the world to establish the Law of God. same Book. He was formally designated Bahi'u'llah, an appellation These armies carry no destructive weapons, but their hosts and specifically recorded in the Persian Bayan, signifying at once the helpers "are such righteous deeds, such conduct and character,1as glory, the light and the splendor of God, and was styled the "Lord are acceptable in His sight." Gl. p.287. of Lords" ,the "Most Great Name", the "Ancient Beauty", the "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he "Pen of the Mostá High", the'''Hidden' Name", "the Preserved should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of Treasure", "He Whom.' God will make manifest" , ; the "Most iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath Great Light", the "all-Highest Horizon", the "Most Great of Almighty God."-v.15. The "sharp sword," it will be remem- Ocean", "the Supreme Heaven", the; "Pre-existent Root" , the bered, is the sword of Truth, which is none other than the Word "Self-Subsistent", the "Day-Star of the Universe", the "Great of God: the "rod of iron" is the La w of God, strong, firm and Announcement", the "Speaker' on Sinai", the,~'Sifter of Men", just, which God has revealed through Baha'u'llah for this new the "Wronged One of the World", the "Desire: of the Nations", cycle. The "winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty the "Lord of the Covenant" I the "Tree beyond which there is no God" symbolizes the great Day of Judgment at the end of the old passing". He derived His descent, on the one hand, i from Abracycle, when the wine of the love of God is being pressed out and ham (the Father of the Faithful)through His wife Katurah, and preserved. on the other from Zoroaster, ,as well as from;Yazdigird, the last "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name writ- king of the Sasaniyan dynasty. He:Jwas moreover a descendant ten, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."-v.16. The ofJesse, belonged, through His father;'MlrzaAbbas, better known same spiri~ of Christ is returned in the Lord of Lords! All the as Mirza Buzurg - a nobleman closely associated with the ministerial circles of the Court of Fath-Ali Shah .....á:to one of the most '[

126 127

ancient and renowned families of Mazindaran. -see G.P.B. To Him Muhammad, the Apostle of God, had alluded in His p.94. Book as the "Great Announcement", and declared His Day to be To Him Isaiah, the greatest of the Jewish prophets, had allu- ... the "Great Day", the "Last Day", the "Day of God", the ded as the "Glory of the Lord", the "Everlasting Father", the "Day of Judgment", the "Day of Reckoning", the "Day of "Prince of Peace", the "Wonderful", the "Counsellor", the "Rod Mutual Deceit" ... the Day when mankind shall stand before the come forth out of the stem of Jesse", and the "Branch grown out Lord of the world", ... the Day when "all that are in the heavens of His roots", Who "shall judge among the nations", Who "shall and all that are on the earth shall be terror-stricken, save him smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of whom God pleaseth to deliver ... " -G.P.B. p. 96. His lips slay the wicked", and Who "shall assemble the outcasts The Bab had no less significantly extolled Him a~ the "Essence of Israel. and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four of Being", as the "Remnant of God", as the "Omnipotent corners of the earth". Of Him David had sung in His Psalms, Master", as the "Crimson, all-encompassing Light", as "Lord of acclaiming Him as the "Lord of Hosts" and the "King of Glory". the visible and invisible", as the "sole Object of all previous Reve- To Him Haggai had referred as the "Desire of all nations", and lations, including The Revelation of the Qa'im Himself..." He Zechariah as the "Branch" Who "Shall grow up out of His place", had, moreover, declared that He was the !'first servant'to believe and "shall build the Temple of the Lord". Ezekiel had extolled in . Him", that He bore Him allegiance "before all things were Him as the "Lord" Who "shall be king over all the earth", while created", that "the year-old germ that holdeth within itself the to His day Joel and Zephaniah had both referred as the "day of potentialities of the Revelation that is to come is endowed with a Jehovah", the latter describing it as "a day of wrath, a day of potency superior to the combined forces of the whole of theá trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of Bayan ... " -G.P.B. pp. 97, 98. darkness and gloominess, a day of cl()uds and thick darkness, a "He around Whom the Point of the Bayan (Bab) hath revolvday. of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and ed is come" is Baha'u'llah's confirmatory testimony to the' inconagainst the high towers." His Day, Ezekiel and Daniel had, more- ceivable greatness and pre-eminent character of His own Revelaover, both acclaimed as the "day of the Lord", and Malachi tion ... " "This", He furthermore declares, "is the king 'of days", described as "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" when the the "Day of God Himself", the "Day which shall never be "The Sun of Righteousness" will "arise, with healing in His followed by night", the "Spring-time which autumn.: will never wings", whilst Daniel had pronounced His advent as signalizing overtake", "the eye to past ages and centuries", for which "the the end of the "abomination that maketh desolate" ... G.P.B. soul of every Prophet of God, of every,Divine Messenger, hath p. 95. thirsted", for which "all the' divers, Idndreds of the earth have To Him Jesus Christ had referred as the "Prince of this yearned", through which "God hath proved the hearts of the world", as the "Comforter" Who will "reprove the world of sin, entire company of his Messengers and Prophets, and beyond them and of righteousness, and of: judgment", as the "Spirit of Truth" those that stand guard over His sacred and inviolable Sanctuary, the Who "will guide you into all truth", Who "shall not speak of inmates of the Celestial Pavilion and dwellers of the Tabernacle Himself, but whatsoever He shaH hear, that shall He speak", as of Glory". "In this most mighty Revelation",' He moreover,: the "Lord of the Vineyards", and as the "son of Man" Who "shall states, "all the Dispensations of the past have attained their highcome in the glory of His Father", "in the clouds of heaven with est, their final consummation ... ", G.P.B. pp. 98,.99. !; power and great glory", with "all the holy angels" about Him, And last but not least is 'Abdu'l-Baha's 'own tribute to the, and "all nations" gathered before His throne. To him the Author transcendent character of the Revelation identified with' His of the Apocalypse had alluded as the "Glory of God", as "Alpha Father ... "The mere contemplation of the Dispensation inauguratand Omega", "the Beginning and the End", 'the First and the ed by the Blessed Beauty ... would have sufficed to overwhelm. the Last".-G.P.B p. 95. saints of bygone ages-saints who longed to partake for one momenL ) 128 129 of its great glory ... "-G.P.B. pp. 98,99. the greatest hell-the "lake of fire burning with brimstone". The The process whereby the effulgence of so dazzling a Revela- meaning of the last sentence is that the last vestige of the old fIi tion was unfolded to the eyes of man was of necessity slow and world order will rapidly be destroyed by the sword of Truth which 1:'1 gradual. The first intimation which its Bearer received did not is the Word of God for this Day. t synchronize with, nor was it followed immediately by, a disclosure Then, ere long, the whole world will joyfully sing of the fulof its character to either His own companions or His kindred. A fillment of these prophetic words of the Psalmist: "Lift up your period of no less than ten years had to elapse ere its far-reaching heads 0 ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the implications could be directly divulged to even those who had King of Glory shall come in ... Who is this King of Glory? The i. i been intimately associated with Him ... All He did, in the course Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory."-Psalms 24 : 9, 10. of this pre-ordained interval, was to hint, in veiled and allegorical -, [I.

language, in epistles, commentaries, prayers and treatises, which ,I;:

He was moved to reveal, that the Bab's promise had already been . ,. fulfilled, and that He Himself was the One Who had been chosen to redeem it. See G.P.B. p. 103. Christ foretold this dramatic event, the climax toward which prophetically the whole Bible moves from beginning to end, when he said: "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".-v. 16. All the Prophets and Seers of the past foretold the Promised One, ., ,

and Bahi'u'llih has fulfilled all these prophetic signs. "Hear ye o My people !" What could be more convincing than their monumental confirmations! . "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a i.

loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, .'l -- - , . - . and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them "; l,

that sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, THE RISING SUNOF both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against , THE NEW;' D.AY .j';',!:;:

him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast 1 II' ':';:'

was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles . 1-,

before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."-v. 17-21. .. i I!

The "lake of fire" is remoteness from God, and the remorse .J' ,II !. ~ ~ I ;, ,1-;,_, that comes as a result of straying further and further from God, is • , .~. I ., ' •• i (i ; -

. j;! , I ) ) "I testify before God," proclaims Baha'u'JIah, "to the' greatness, the inconceivable greatness of this Revelation. Again and again have We in most of Our Tablets borne witness to this truth, that mankind may be roused from its heedlessness." "In this CHAPTER XX most mighty Revelation", He unequivocally announces, "all the Dispensations of the past have attained their highest,their final A NEW DIMENSION consummation." "That which hath been made manifest in this The Thousand Years preeminent, this most exalted Revelation, stands unparalleled in the anonals of the past, nor will future ages witness its á]ike."- "The Promised One of all the peoples of the world hath appeared. W.O.B. pp. 102-103. All peoples and communities have been expecting a Revelation, and "And I sa w thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment He .Baha'u'lIah, is the foremost teacher and educator of all mankind." was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were -B.N.E. p. 15 beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and The scene opens in a new dimension. they lived and reigned with Christ a thousandyears."-v.4. John "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the saw those who were martyred for Jesus, as well as those who were key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he martyred for the Bab and for Baba'u'llah in this new Day. laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Those were the ones who had not received the mark of the Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the image on their foreheads orin their hands, . nor had they bottomless pit; and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he worshipped the beast. "And they lived and reigned with Christá should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should for a thousand years" means that the eternal Christ Spirit as rebe fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season."-20. vealed through Baba'u'Jlah in this Day, will predominate for the v. 1-3. Bottomless pit, as was before stated, is the pit of ignor- entire Baha'i Cycle, which wiIllast an astronomical cycle of five ance and evil. The angel laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, hundred thousand years.-W.O.B. p. 102. which terms are used synonymously, and are personified as the "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. years were finished. This is the first resurrection."-,-v. 5. There 'Abdu'I-Baha explains "the one thousand years ... signifieth are many, many verses in the Bible and also in the Baha'i Sacred the beginning of this Manifestation until the end of its predomin- Writings, a.bout the first resurrection. Many people think that ance throughout the contingent world; because this Cause is "resurrection" refers to the physical body. However, resurrection great, its powers are growing and its signs are dazzling. It shall refers to the spirit. Each physical body must die; each body discontinue in elevation, exaltation, growth, promulgation and pro- integrates or decomposes, because it came into existence by the motion un til it shall reach the apex of its glory in one thousand laws of composition. Everything that comes into existence by the years-as the day of this Manifestation is one thousand years". laws of composition must by the same laws decompose, and all -T.AB. 659,660. In addition, 'Abdu'l-Baha states that,-the things that exist that did not come into existence by the law of Revelation proclaimed by Baha'u'llah ushers in "a cycle that must composition, can never become decomposed. The spirit referred extend over a period of at least five hundred thousand years".- to here, is the humap spirit which remains in a condition of dead- W.O.B. p. 102. This is an astronomical cycle. The Adamic ness, or unawareness, and consequent non-progress. After the Cycle lasted six thousand years-the Baha'i Grand Cycle will thousand years are finished, those who have remained in last five hundred thousand years. "deadness" and who refused to turn to the light, will again be , j!' ) ) after" that is, after 96 A.D. given the opportunity to awaken and to become filled with spirit- "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be ual Light and Life. All the Sarced Books of the world teach this. loosed out of His prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations -See B.N.E. pp. 34, 193-199. S.A.Q. p. 119. which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- gather them ~ogether to battle; the number of whom is as the tion: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand and encompassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved years."-v.6. city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured "According to the Baha'i teaching the Resurrection has noth- them."-v.7-9. ing to do with the gross physical body. That body, once dead, is At the end of every cycle, there is an ' elimination of those done with. It becomes decomposed and its atoms will never be things in it which do not belong in the new. As before stated, recomposed into the same body."--'-B.N.E. p. 225. each Prophet of God foretold the One, to come after Him, and "Resurrection is the birth of the individual to spiritual life, 'each has given the signs by which He may, be recognized when through the gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed through the Manifest- He comes. We do not recognize the signs,however, ,until the ation of God. The grave from which he arises is the grave of day of fulfillment; then we do recognize those signs and know ignorance and negligence of God. The sleep from which he them. Christ foretold in the Bible the coming of the "Comforter" awakens is the dormant spiritual condition in which many await in this day, and all the, Prophet-Founders of religious systems the dawn of the Day of God. This dawn illumines all who have have foretold One to come in the "Latter days," Who would lived on the face of the earth, whether they are in the body or out unite all mankind and establish Universal Peace. Baha'u'Hah is of the body, but those who are spiritually blind cannot perceive the fulfillment of all the Prophet-Founders, and He in turn, after it. The Day of Resurrection is 110t a day of twenty-four hours, proving His Station of. Prophethood and giving, His Message " but an era which has now begun and will Jastas long as the present for this Day, has foretold Others Who will come after Him. Showorld-cycle continues. It will continue when all traces of the pre- ghi Effendi has stated "that no one else except the Bab and Bahasent civilization will have been wiped off the surface of the 'u'llah can ever lay claim to such a station before the expiration globe."-B.N.E. pp. 225-226. of a full thousand years-are verities ,which lie "em,beded in the Those who have died of the first death, those who are in dark- specific utterances of both the Founder of our Faith.and the Inness when the second awakening comes, remain in darkness, but terpreter of His Teachings."-W.O.B. p.132. ' "' those who have turned toward Christ and have recognized the "Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God ... ere Light that He brought into the world, are born of the "first birth" the expiration of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a as Christ, Himself, has stated; "Except a man be born again, he lying imposter."-W.O.B. p.132. Baha'u'lhih also foretells that cannot see the Kingdom of God. " -John 3:3. In other words, to after the full thousand year period is past, ,other Manifestations be born of the "first birth" is not sufficient for this great new will successively come during the five, hundred thousand year cycle, but "Ye must be born again." Those who are truly born of cycle, which is under the Light ofBaha'u'llah .• Then at the end the "first birth" will naturally have the capacity and power to of this major cycle, another Manifestation, of very great Universal recognise the light of the "second birtb" and to attain unto it. To Station and Mission will come. Baha'u'lhih has declared also that them is given the glorious promise in the sixth verse: "On such He has come to establish Unity in its highest degree of perfection the second death hath no power." They will live on in progres- upon the earth during this five tbousand century Baha'i Cycle. He sive unfoldment of spiritual light and illumination in this great has also foretold that the great Universal Manifestation Who is to new cycle of Baha'u'Jhih, and shall reign with him a thousand inaugurate the next major cycle, although His signs cannot be reyears." It must be remembered that these verses are prophecies coonized until He appears, will be One with a far greater Univert:> given by Christ, referring to "Things that must come to pass here- 134 135

sal Message of Power and Light and Love and Truth than it would whose face the earth and the heavená fled away; and there was be possible to reveal today. That One, when He comes, will es- found no place for them."-v. 11. Again the "great white throne" tablishUnity within and throughout the entire universe. How is the station of Manifestation ship, and He that sat upon it is the clearly this shows that the Divine Plan, which Baha,'u'llah has re..: Manifestation of God, "from Whose face the earth and the heaven vealed to us for this day, is very great, universal and sublime!-A fled away." In other words, the corruptions of the old cycle disap- Tablet by 'Abdu'l-Baha to a Persian believer. peared. According to Dr. Lamsa, the Oriental scholar, the word The eighth verse seems to indicate great confusion in the solar "world" in Aramaic, the language Christ spoke, means "whirl," system that might cause the advent of the great Universal Mani- so that "end of the world'~ means end of a complete whirl or refestation in that far off time-the Noah of that day. As Noah came volution or cycle. From now on there isno longer any place for before the Flood, so each Prophet always comes before the catas- the old cycle or old order, because all things are made new. trophe to warn mankind. There are many interpretations of the "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and words Gog and Magog, and none of them should be belittled the books were opened: and another. book was opened, which is Three of the most fitting interpretations, which various groups be~' the book of life: and the dead' were judged out 'of those things lieve, are: first the historical, which refers to those countries that which were written in the books,á according to' their works." have persecuted the dispersed Jewish people, and who at the final -v. 12. ) "; battle of Armageddon will be defeated "by divine intervention" in "The dead, small and great" are all those who have remained the form of natural events; the second interpretation is the religi- in darkness, those who have not caught a glimpse Of the Glory of ous, which alludes to the struggle between the believers in the God in this new Day nOf turned toward His Light. The "Books" new Manifestation and the non-believers, during which the be- mean the Word of God as given by the Messenger of God in lievers will be tested and tried, and will finally emerge victorious; every age,.in every religious system. 'There was also another Book the third interpretation refers to and is symb()licof the greater opened,.....;..á'The Book or Life". Many differerit terms are applied' struggle between believing and non-believing interplanetary in describing the Book of Life, su.ch as the Akashic Records,' the forces at the end of the five thousand century cycle, when a new Cosmic Record, the Record, and many others. It is well known Universal Manifestation shall come to unify the entire universe. that sound and light travel in waves, and' 'some: scientists state "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compas- that every sound uttered in the past is 'recorded somewhere. The sed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire waves make definite records that cannot be erased. ,It is claimed came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."-v.9. that some scientists are working on highly, sensitive instruments This verse is again the symbol of the fire of the love of God, and by which they are trying to recall those' sound and light, waves the purging that always comes whenever a Prophet of God ap- that have created words and images in the so-called ",ether bank", pears, especially at the dawn of a great new Universal Cycle. If successful, they hope to recall sounds and, events, of' the past, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of even the words and image of Jesus Christ and other. great Teachfire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and ers Who have uplifted mankind. The pointá to'emphasize,howshall be tormented day and night forever and ever."-v. 10. As ever, is not the development of such instruments, butá rather the has been stated before, "forever and ever" signifies Hfor a great careful consideration of the effects of our words and .. thoughts, to cycle"; it is derived from an Aramaic word which is not synony- mirror forth the Will of God and the Love of God today,in order mous with the word "eternity". The devil was cast in the condi- that we may make better and nobler records in the Book of Life. tion of darkness and despair, "where the beast and the false prop- In this atomic and space age we can no longer do iron age thinkhet are," that no longer might they deceive the nations and the ing. It must be electronic, space age, spiritual thinking and repeople. sult in action. Scientifically we have ,entered' the . realm ' beyond "And I saw a great white throne, and him tnat sat on it, from matter. Baha'u'llah writes, "Think hot the deeds ye have' com- !

j á-"1 ) / ) 136 137

mitted have been blotted from My sight. By My Beauty! All Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him your doings hath My Pen graven with open characters upon Tab~ to attain eternallife."-W.AB. p. 53. lets of cbrysolite."-Gl. p. 210. The Holy Spirit transmitted through each one of the Prophets "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death of God brings life to mankind. It is the only power that can and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: andá they bring resurrection to man.' ' If one does not plug the electric cord were judged every man according to their works." '-v. 13. Not into the current be remains in darkness. If one does not plug into according to their words, not according to what they would like, the power of the Holy Spirit he remains in spiritual darkness or but according to their works. Baha'u'llah states: "The essence deadness. How does one "plug in?" It is by sincere desire for of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose spiritual knowledge and love of God, purity of heart, steadfastness words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his and loving and faithful service in His Kingdom. life."-B.W.F. p. 141. In these powerful words, 'Abdu'l-Baha has given us áthis soul- "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is stirring promise: "I now assure thee, 0 servant 'of God, that if the second death."-v. 13. "Death" here connotes spiritual dead- thy mind become empty arid pureá from every .mention and ness, and "hell" is remoteness from God. thought and thy heart attracted wholly (0 the,Kingdom of God, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life forget all else besides God and come ill _communion with«the was cast into the lake of fire." -v. 15. "The herald who pro- Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit 'will assist thee- with a' power claimed the written names is 'Abdu'l-Baha who announceth the which will enable thee to pen etrate' all things, and a Dazzling names of those who deserve salvation and are firm in the Cove- Spark which enlightens all sides, a Brilliant Flame in the zenith nant of God". -T.AB. III, p. 681. Those who are far from God, of the heavens, will teach thee that which thou dost not know of and spiritually dead, will not have their names written,in the Book the facts of the universe and of the divine doctrine. Verily, I say of Life, and will be unable to enter the new Golden Age' of the unto thee, every soul which ariseth ,today to guide others to the great new Baha'i Cycle tliat has just dawned, Christ is emphasiz- path of safety and infuse. in them the Spirit of-Life, . the Holy ing here to John, that aU must turn to the Spirit of God released Spirit will inspire that soul iwith,' evidences,-proofsand . facts and for this Day, with great humility, love, sincerity and understand- the.lights -will shine: upon it from the Kingdom. of God. ;Do not ing, and "do the works of the Lord," that their names may be forget what I have conveyed, unto thee from the breath of the recorded in the Book of Life, and that their lives may shine with Spirit. Verily, it is the shining morning and the rosy dawn which heavenly attributes even as radiant stars. will impart unto thee the lights, reveal the'mysieries and make "Resurrection is the birth of the individ ual to spiritual life; thee competent in ásciencej and- through'it the': pictures of the through the gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed through the Manifes- Supreme WOl,"ldwill beprinted' inthYihearVand the: facts of the tation of God."-B.N.E. p. 225. secrets of the Kingdom of God will shine>beforethee."2..B.W.F. An intermediary is needed to bring two extremes into rela- p.-,369 .. " ,(,., á-',i -- -'-ifá,'.

tion with each other as sun and earth; heat and cold, riches and ! ' Baha'u'Ilah, :in the '~'Hidden; 'Words,"; is! calling. tdaII to poverty, light and darkness, the Creator and His creation. record their names in the Book of .Life,' and; Heá reveals' three Without an intermediary power there could be no relation bet- ways of doingáit: "0 Son of Man! Write all that We have revealed ween these. unto thee. with the :ink of light upon the . tabletofthyspirit~ The spirit of man is not illumined and quickened through Should this i not be in. thy,; power,then: make -thine: inká of the material sources. It is not resuscitated by investigating phenomena essence of thy heart.':' If thisá thou :canst not do," then write with of the world of matter~ "The spirit of man is in need of protection that crimson inkthat hath been shed inMY'path:Sweeter indeed of the Holy Spirit." -P.U.P. p. 282. is,this tQ Me than all else, that ,its light may 'endure: forever."- "The Holy Spirit it is, which, through the mediation of the H.W. 71..(Arabic):".! hi' .. ,; l"!::,-",, "Li;,á,'; "",,(,:. i.:>::.á

I ) )

His own Revelation, give the Key to the NewiWorld Order-'- the great City of Certitude-the Holy City. foretold by Christ in the twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation. The first seven verses of this chapter are very hallowed. We CHAPTER XXI have heard them many times, we have sung them; manyá poems have been written about them, and we love the words. Great THE CITY OF GOD truths should be analyzed in order to gain deeper understanding Twelve Foundation Stones . of them even though something of the spirit is often lost in the analysis. After the analysis, the verses sho~ld be perused ~gam . God Speaks: for the spirit. These words seem wrapped 10 an aura ofmaJesty. "Por when My Messengers to any age "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the Bring My new Laws, They cancel every page first heaven and the first'"earth were passed away ; and there Writ by the past except the page of Love, For this is writ on Tablets firm as rock was no more sea."-v.l. The "new heavená and a new Unchanging, ageless: and Their hands unlock earth" signifies the new Revelationá and NewWorld,Order, With love the door that to My Kingdom leads, the laws of which Baha'u'llan has given to mankind. for Blest is the soul who Their injunction heeds. the New Age. "The first heaven and the first earth -Song Celestial, by Howard Colby Ives. Page 23. were passed away" means that the oldreHgious system and the old world order had prophetically passed away.. The last clause of the verse, "and there was no more sea", is symbolic of any- God raises the curtain on the new heaven and the new earth: thing that divides or separates. Therefore, this denotes that there The awe-inspiring City of Certitude is clearly explained by would be no more division, separation and strife, but that there Baba'u'llahin these soul~stirringá words. "When the channel of would be unity, harmony and a drawing together of all the peothe human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attach- ples of the world. . .. ments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across "And I John saW the holy city, new Jerusalem, commg down immeasurable distances, and will, Jed by its perfume, attain and from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husenter the City of Certitude. Therein he will discern the wonders band."-v. 2. The Holy City, new Jerusalem coming down from of His ancient Wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings God out of heaven, is the word ofá God, i the Law of God. as fr~m the rus.tli~g leaves of the Tree tbat flourisheth in that City. revealed by the Messenger of God for this Day .. It is the World WIth both hiS lllner and outer ear he will hear from its dust the Order of Baha'u'lIah, "prepared as a bride adorned for her hushymns of glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and band." How is the bride adorned? Isn't she beautiful ~j!h with his inner eye will he discover the mysteries of 'return' and everything new and clean and pure and white? ,That is a Vl~ld 'revival' ... That City is none other than the Word of God revealed symbol of the New World ~rder, wit~ i:s basic .m~nifest pr~n in every age and dispensation. In the days of Moses it was the cipies, its lofty shining ideals, Its soul-stIrrmg, ennchmg creatIve Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus, the Gospel, in the days of Troili. ..... '. Muhammad, the Messenger of God, the Qur'an; in this day, the "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Bayan; and in the Dispensation of Him Whom God will make tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and manifest, His own Book unto which all the Books of former they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and DispensatioDs must needs be referred, the Book that standeth be their Gbd."-v.3. The Tabernacle of God here refers to t~at amongst them all transcendent and supreme." - B. W. F. which houses the Divine Spirit of God when "He dwells With pp. 108,109. These words revealed by Baha'u'lJa.h, foreshadowing men." It is none other than the Manifestation of God when' he , ,

I enters the human Kingdom. He comes to mankind to reveal the Divine Laws and the Divine Plan, and to teachá man again the "fountain of the water of life" is always the Revelator, revealing forgotten path to God. Each Messenger of God does "dwell with the 1ife-giving Word of God. The Word of God is the "water of men" for a time, just as Jesus did, just as all the Prophets of God life". Here Christ is giving a preview of the new Cycle, with the have done. Since God in His essence is unknowable to men the new Messenger of God or "fountain" gushing forth the "water of Manifestation of God brings to mankind their only possible k~ow life" or Word of God, the Love of God, giving it freelyá unto all led~e of God, by reflecting as a pure mirror the qualities and who will partake of it in this Day. .. attrIbutes of God. Thus mankind is extricated from the web of "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his confusion into which he has become entangled by his own idle God, and he shall be my so.n."-v.7."Overcometh" what? Does fancies and vain imaginings. Man is liberated and enlightened by it not mean the godlessness that is in his heart, the ego that still th: :V0rd of God through His Manifestation, Who is the Divine abides within him and motivates him in many ways to cause his SPIrIt of God, the Sublime Reflection of God, the Sun of Reality. unrighteousness? He that "overcometh" aU these susceptiblities "And Godshall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and shall inherit all goodly things. We remember that Christ stated: there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; shall there be any more pain: For the former things are passed and all these things shall be added unto you."-Matt. 6:33. As we away."-:--vA. Does this mean tear ducts will become atrophied, that overcome these imperfections, the promise is fulfilled, "I will be there WIll be no more burying of dead bodies and no more pain? his God and he shall be my son."-v.7. No, it means, figuratively rather, that the caUses of sorrow and The eighth verse contains a very grave warning. "But the pain will pass away through the love of God and there will be fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and better spiritual understanding; that in the great new World Order whoremongers, and sorcerers, and. idolators, and all liars, shall which Bah~'u'l1ah has revealed from God, tlu:re will be joy and have their part in the la.ke which burneth with fire and brimstone; peace and lIght andharmony and unity and illumination. Spiritual which is the second death."-'-v.8; The people who are warned death, the death of unbelief and materialism, will be overcome. here will have a part in the "second death", unless they turn away "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, 1 make all from these things. Liars seem to be the worst of the áevildoers; things new. And he said unto me, Write: For these words are for lying is the besetting sin of mankind today and the origin of true and faithful."-:-v.5 Again and again we find in the Writings all evil. According to 'Abdu'l-Baha, "Truthfulness is tlIe foundaof Baha'u'llah the equivalent of the statement, "Behold, I make all tion of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulthings new." Since the advent of Baha'u'llah, WllO was born in ness, progress and success in all of the worlds of God are impossi- Tihran, Persia (Iran), in 1817, what things can we find in the ible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all world today as they were then? What vast changes have tak.en theá divine qualities will also become realized."-B.W.F.,p. 384. place! All things are being made new. A new age of scientific Baha'u'llah admonishes us: Beautify your tongues,: 0 people, with progress, unprecedented in its scope and rapidity, is apparent. truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament ofJhonesty". M~re progress has been made since 1817 than in all previous cen- -B.W.F. p. 124. "Know thou of a certainty that whoso disbelievtunes of recorded human history. eth in God is neither trustworthy nor truthful."-B.W.F. p. 43 .. "A.nd .He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, Christ gave this grave warning in the Book of Revelation ,to save the begInnIng and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of mankind from the "second death"., ," the fountain of the water of life freely."~v.6. The old cycle is "And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had ended, and a new "Alpha and Omega", "the beginning and the the seven vials full of the seven plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride,theLamb's wife. en.d", has once .~ore a?~eared at the dawning of the new Cycle WIth the same D1V1ne Spmt of God that appeared in Christ. The And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descend- ) 142 143 ing out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God; and her "And the wall, of' theá city' had tw'elvefoundations, and in light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb •. ' And he that clear as crystals."-v.9-l1. This "great city, the holy Jerusalem", talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the is the great City of Certitude, the great new World Order, the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.' And the city Iieth four laws and principles of which have been brought from God to square, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measurmankind for this New Day. This new Jerusalem has the "Glory ed the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length of God", which in Persian is one word, Bahli'u'lllih. He it is Who and the breadth andá the height of it are equal."-v. 14-16. has brought these laws and principles, Whose light is "like unto Several faiths have founded their doctrines on this verse. 'Abdu'la stone most Precious, even like a Jasper stone, clear as crystal." Baha has given the greater universal meaning of this symbol as "And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and the New World Order of Baha'u'lhlh. He explains about the at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are "reed" as follows: "In brief, it is said that: 'And he that talked the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the with me had a golden rod to' measure the city and the' gates east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three thereof.' The purport is this, that certain souls guided (the people) gates; and on the west three gates."-v. 12, 13. In a previous with a rod of the plant, that is, a reed wherewith he shepherded chapter we learned that the "children of Israel" are those who the sheep, like unto the rod of Moses; others trained (the people) are the servants of God, who are sealed in their f(l[eheads with with a rod of iron and drove them, as in the time of Muhammad. the Father's name. 'Abdu'l-Bahli, in a most thought-provoking (The scepter of Muhammad was the sword). In this Greatest and moving Tablet, explained the meaning of the "holy Jerusa- Day the rod of the plant and the rod of iron are' changed into a lem" and the "twelve gates" to the city. "Accordingly, St. John, rod which is of pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the divine,. declared in his vision regarding the twelve doors and the Kingdom of God."-T.AB.p. 93. . the twelve foundations. By the great and holy city of Jerusalem, . "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forfy which is descended from heaven, is meant the sacred law of God. and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, .of the This subject has been repeatedly explained in many Tablets and angel."-v.17. The sum of the digits in 144, or in 144,000, is nine. in the Scriptures of the ancient Prophets. For example, it is Christ revealed this symbol earlier in the number of those who were said in one place, 'I behold Jerusalem marching on to the wilder- sealed "in their foreheads.'" 'Abdu'l-Baha has given the Key to ness'. The purport is that this Heavenly Jerusalem has twelve this symbol of completeness, in that those who'have gained the doors through which the advancing souls enter into the City of nine, or universal consciousness are those who recognize the light God. These doors are the souls who are the stars of guidance and truth as revealed by every Prophet of God. This includes and doors unto bounty and knowledge. 'At the gates twelve the' One through Whom God is speaking to mankind in this Day, angels stood'. By 'angel' is meant the power of the confirmation and those who arise to serve Him. These are they who form of God; that the candle of the power of the divine confirmation the scope of the walls of the Great City, "according to the measshines forth and is illumined in those souls. That is to say, that ure of a perfect man, that is, of the angel." . That measure is each one of those souls will be confirmed by the mightiest power. attained in the Christ-like life and lofty station of those who have Those twelve gates surround the whole universe. This signifies followed the laws and teachings of Baha'u'lIah, the Glory of God, that all existence is under the shadow of those souls; also, that and have thus gained the universal consciousness. these doors are the foundation of the city of God, the Divine "And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper: and the city Jerusalem; that upon each of these foundations the name of one was pure gold, like unto clear glass."-v. 18. This City of Certiof the Apostles of His Holiness the Spirit (Christ) is written, That tude would have to be like unto pure gold, spiritual, clear as glass is to say, the manifestation of the perfections, glad-tidings, and transparent without flaw or blemish. virtues and high attributes of that holy soul." - T. AB. pp. 92,93. "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished ) I',

144 145

with all. manner of precious stones. The firstá foundationá was salem' rests, and which are most remarkably correlated to the jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, twelve precious foundation stones of that Holy City of St. John's an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, vision as regards their significance and their colors. They are chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, a chryso- spiritual symbols and not material stones, as. 'Abdu'l-Baha has prasus; the eleventh, a jacinth: the twelfth, andamethyst."-v.19, said. "The divine words are not to be taken according to their 20. There are many interesting interpretations of these stones. outer sense. They'are symbolical and contain realities of spiritual In ancient times the priest wore a breastplate of precious stones meaning."-P.U.P. p. 455 .. Let us consider them in the order when he entered into the inner tabernacle, or Holy of Holies. The given by 'Abdu'l-Baha, which sequence the Guardian, Shoghi Key to the meaning of these stones is given by 'Abdu'l-Baha in Effendi, wished maintained. See P.U.P. pp. 449-451. 'Abdu'lan address in New York City, in 1912, and in a Tablet to an Baha explained the significance of these Foundation Stones in a early believer. They refer to the twelve principles of the new Tablet to Shanaz Waite. World Order as revealed by Bahit'u'Jhih. It is very interesting The first Baha'i basic principle is the "Oneness of Mankind". and very significant that Christ in giving the Revelation of this As a popular song notes, "Hands may be black, white, yellow, or particular chapter should have used these symbols as the founda- brown, but the hue of the heart is one" .. "God does not behold tion of the wall of the City, and the new World Order. differences of hue and complexion; He looks at the hearts."- We are now living in the Day of fulfillment of the Day of St. B.W.F. p. 267. The first foundation stone, is the jasper; it is John's Book of Revelation and the Divine Laws of the New Day clear, like the hue of the heart. "The hueáof the heart is one." have been revealed to man through God's latest Manifestation. In ancient times it was called the bloodstone. His new Book of Laws (Kitab-i-Aqdas) is the Law of God of the The second basic principle is, "The Independent Investiganew Jerusalem which is being built upon the sure foundation of the tion of Truth". Each must be free to seek out the truth in his own Word of God~ ..Tlle Kitab~i-Aqdas,the principal repository of that way. The second foundation stone,ihesapphire, is a clear blue, Law which the Prophet Isaiah had anticipated, and which the writer "true blue", and the color of faith, inspiration, loyalty and truth. of 'the Apocalypse had described as the "new heaven and the new Man must be free to soar in this dome of heaven's blue truth, earth", as "the Tabernacle of God", as the "HoJy City",.as the and see it with his own eyes. "Bride", the "New Jerusalem coming down from God", this The third basic principle is "the Foundation Of all Religions "Most Holy Book", whose provisions must remain inviolate for is One.", Each Divine Messenger has revealed the same means no Jess than a thousand years, and whose system will embrace of attaining the "new heaven and new earth"" but man the corthe entire planet, may well be regarded as the brightest emana- rupted and misrepresented these Divine Laws. In reality they are tion of the mind ofBaha'u'Ilah, as the Mother Book of His Dis- all one; The third foundation stone, the chalcedony, is pute pensation, and the Charter of His New World Order. See G.P.B. white, of which 'Abdu'l-Baha said: That while white is apparent, p.213. yet in it are hidden and conceal.ed the seven colors; In white all "The Law of God is also described as the Holy City, the colors are brothers and sisters. White is the symbol of purity, New Jerusalem. It is evident that the New Jerusalemá which and in its origin each religion is pure, and a brother to every descends from heaven is not a city of stone, mortar, bricks, earth other religion. Truth can never be antagonistic to . itself, nor and wood. It is the Law of God which descends from heaven and, self-contradictory, for all Truth is one. is called new; for it is clear that the Jerusalem which is of stone The fourth basic principle is "Religion must be the Cause of and earth does not descend from heaven, and that it is not renew-' Unity." If it is not, its non-being would be better than its being. ed; but that which is renewed is the Law of God."-'Abdu'l-Baha The fourth foundation stone, the emerald, is green ... Green is the -S.A.Q. p. 79. color of harmony and unity. There is no color known with which There are twelve basic principles upon which this New Jeru- green will not harmonize, as the green foliage blends with every ) !

146 147 l:áI color of flower. Green is the color of immortality as well as of of the New World Order. I. 'e humility. The tenth basic principle is "The spiritual solution of the !::I

The fifth basic principle is "Religion must be in accord with economic problem." The tenth foundation stone, the chrysopraá L 'áá1:áááá

Science and Reason." Neither must deny the other. They must sus, is like opaque chrysolite, a greenish shade which denotes If travel this united highway and together build a better world. The truthfulness, justice, sincerity an d purity of heart; these are the il: :fifth foundation stone, the sardonyx, is red and brown, in layers prerequisites necessary for establishing the means for the solution iT or usually flecked with white, according to the way it is held. So of all economic problems. They are embodied in the Golden i !-t . t Iá it is with science and religion; they are, in essence one, but differ Rule, "Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you" ~: \--

in color or manifestation. Today they are coming closer together and in the new Golden Rule "Thou shalt love thy neighbor more in building a better world for all mankind. than thyself." The sixth basic principle is "The Equality of Men and The eleventh basic principle is "A Universal Language". Women". They must be as the two wings of a bird, each equally The eleventh foundation stone, the jacinth, is somewhat like the developed. This was not taught by the prophets of the past. The jasper, or blood stone, and is rose red, the color of the heart. sixth foundation stone, the sardius, is a stone usuaIly in two layers Thus the hue of the heart and of the lips is one ... A race can one white and one red, symbolical of the two in one, who unitedly understand the heart of another race only when it can speak the further the progress of mankind. same language. An international body shall select a suitable The seventh basic principle is "Removal of all Prejudice", language to be used as an auxiliary language by all the peoples of Religious, Racial, National, Political, etc. The seventh founda- the world. tion stone, the pure Chrysolite, is exquisitely clear, translucent, The twelfth basic principle is "An International Tribunal, a slightly tinted green. We find references to the Chrysolite Tablet Universal HOllse ofJustice or Parliament of Man." The twelfth in the ancient writings; Baha'u'lIa.h revealeo the Chrysolite foundation sto~e, the amethyst, is ~i~let. It symbolizes spiritual Tablet in which He emphasizes the abolition of all prejudice ... light, healing, serenity, justice and reverence: This international Chrysolite is the symbol of absolute sincerity and truthfulness, tribunal must be as the ultra-violet rays for the "healing of the purity and selflessness. Only when our hearts become pure and nations". And it must seek spiritual light and guidance in all are free from every form of prejudice, can they become the reverence from the Supreme Being, that it . may fulfill its high chrysolite tablets whereon may be engraved our loftiest thoughts, destiny of establishing security, justice and serenity to the nations attitudes and motives. of the world and to the hearts of all' mankind.-See P.U.P. pp. The eighth basic principle is "Universal Peace". The eighth 449-451, T.AB. pp. 92-94. The Universal House of Justicewas foundationstone, the beryl, is light greenish blue, somewhat like first established in 1963 and is destined to become the lasfrethe crest of the ocean wave, as it mounts toward its summit. It is maioing citadel in a tottering world. When its fragrance has been the blue of faith and loyalty to our brother man, the green of sufficiently diffused it will bring about peace, justice, agreements unity and humility, blending harmoniously into one whole, like a among peoples of the world. beautiful bouquet of delicate flowers. This inner peace estab- Upon this safe and sure foundation the "New Jerusalem" lished in the hearts of man, will also establish Universal Peace. will be built. There is not a need of man;á physical, mental or The ninth basic principle is "Universal Education". The spiritual, that has not been met in the new laws revealed by ninth foundation stone, the topaz, the glory of the sun, is symboli- Baha'u'lIah, and when they become fully established in the world cal of the light of knowledge and the glory of wisdom which then, indeed, will the nations rejoice. Then will appear that Holyá universal education will establish in the world, when the golden City, wherein "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and topaz, the light of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, is understood and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither lived. The illumination of education must become the foundation shall there be any more pain: For the. former things are passed ere long joyously sing the song of the Holy City with heartfelt away ... And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: For gratitude! there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate honour of the nations into it." -v. 4,25,26. . was of pearl: and the street of the city was pure gola, as it were In each heart, individually, must this Holy City first be built that in turn each heart may become one of the precious stone~ transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." -v. 21,22. of which the Universal City of the New Heaven and the New The twelve gates as before stated, were twelve pearls, or Earth will be constructed. The structure itself will rest UpOIl the twelve holy souls, one for each gate. 'Abdu'l-Bahi explains that founda tion of these basic principles. "Abdu'l-Bahi has said that these holy souls are the Disciples of Christ, symbolizing their high the principles of Bah:i'u'lJah mustbe studied one by one until spiritual attributes. - T.AD. p. 93. In another sense,the twelve they are understood and realized in mind and heart until we gates also refer to the twelve principles of Baha'u'lhl.h, which have acquire built-in-nobleness of character; then will we become already been explained. .Each one of them, when recognized and strong followers of the Light, truly spiritual, heavenly soldiers followed, becomes the meanS of entering and of establishing the of God, acquiring true civilization and spreading it through- New World Order. "And the street of the City was of pure gold". out the world. This will be the Paradise which is to come "Pure gold" signifies the spiritual laws and values. The whole city on earth, wherein all mankind will gather together under the was builded upon these spiritual laws, the pure truth,. theá Divine Sacred Tent in the Kingdom of Glory. Law of Love as if it were "transparent glass", that is to say, with- . We must have the sublime faith that inspired an Australian out flaw or blemish. "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord Soldier who was found dead in Flanders Field with his blood- God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it". In other words stained manuscript in his coat pocket. the Spirit of Christ is returned in the Manifestation of God for "Ye who have faith to look with fearless eyes, this day, Baha'u'lltih, and also the Lamb, His Holiness the Bib. Beyond the tragedy of a world at strife, They revealed the Laws and Principles upon which the newcivili- And know that out of death and darkness zation is being built. "Love is the greatest law in this vast uni- Shall arise, the dawn of ampler life. verse of God I" -T.AB. p. 525. ,i' Rejoice! whatever anguish rend the heart, , ."And the city had no need of the sun, neitherf,of the moon, Tha t God has given you this priceless dower; to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it,and.the Lambis To live in these great days the light thereof." -v. 23.; Again and again, throughout the Book And have your part in Freedom's growing hour; of Revelation as well as in other Books of theá Bible, theá "Glory That you may tell your sons of God" (Baha'u'llah, in Arabic) is emphasized .. in :', the prophecies Who see the light high in the heavens, regarding the "latter Day". Their heritage to take. "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the I saw the powers of darkness put to flight! light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and I saw the morning break!" honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: We, too, shall see the "powers of darkness" put to flight and for there shall be no night there." -v. 24,25. Reference is made "See the morning break". With the Light of the glad New Day, here to the nations that shall be gathered together into the new we shall also see the New Jerusalem that has descended from hea- world civilization. The nations shall unite in one great World ven as a bride adorned for her husband, that Holy City which Commonwealth or Federation of Nations, and the kings and the "had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the rulers of the earth will bring "their honour andá glory" . into it. ?lory ~f God (Bal~~'u'Jlah) did lighten it, and the Lamb (the Bah) The gates of that city will remain open. for there "shall be no IS the lIght thereof. Upon tbe solid foundation of the laws of night there" in the New Day, the Day of God. i The gates, or God will it stand for ages and cycles to come. Mayall mankind 150 151

Principles of Bah;i'u'lJah, cannot be closed, they will continue to Not in celestial realms alone, but here within each heart, be open, and by means of their pervading influence all the Shall be the New Jerusalem, whose joys will ne'er depart; peoples of the world will enter into the new magnificent World Where every voice shall sing God's praise, and loud Hosannas ring; Civilization. o come, thou New Jerusalem, thou City of Our King ! "And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it." -Y.26. The finest and most worthy and enlightened of all the nations shall be gathered into it. "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a He; but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life ... "-y. 27. Nothing that "Worketh abomination, or maketh a lie", in our old 1; !! civilization, will be lifted up into the new. Today the world is Ii undergoing a period of purging, of eliminating everything that deii' files, or works abomination, or is contrary to truth; and only those souls, those institutions, those forms, those systems which are worthy, will be lifted up into the new World Order. The Lamb's Book of Life contains only the names of those who are worthy, after having been purged and tested and tried and proven worthy, and they are the "called" and the "chosen". ; , 'Abdu'l-Baha describes the advent of the Kingdom of God upon the earth as follows: "Humanity shallcoIlle (within the bounds ofSecurity, the prophethood of all the Messengers of God shall be established. Zion shall leap and dance, Jerusalem shall rejoice, the Mosaic flame shall ignite, the Messianic light shall shine, the world will become another world and humanity shall put on another power. This is the greatest divine bestowal; this is the effulgence of the kingdom of God; this is the day of illumination; this is the merciful century." -Po U.P. p. 127. The soul rejoices in this lovely song by Shanaz Waite ..

City of our King o come, thou New Jerusalem, thou city of the blest! '!I. ~ Ii .J Therein God's sun shall ever shine and weary hearts find rest; Where 11eaven and earth are made anew and passed away the old; Where Love Divine rules over all, as Shepherd of one Fold. -,-,) I

" ,'' Thy gates shall ever open be, thy temple doors thrown wide, ' .." . And every tear be wiped away, each longing satisfied: , "~ , ,',

God's promises shall be fulfilled, His Kingdom come on earth, ! ';" :', . Tis thou, 0 fair Jerusalem, the city of New Birth! ) ) but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.' And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, 'neither the light of the sun; for CHAPTER XXII the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever."-v. 1-5. ,~ . '.>

POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT This is a re-emphasis and summation of the preceding chap- New Heaven and New Earth ter. The pure river of water of life, Clear, as crystal, proceeding "Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes." out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, is the New Revelation -A.D.J. p. 69. with its laws and principles' and the ocean of truth revealed for this New Day, which pours forth from the Word of God as written and recorded by Baha'u'll<\.h and the Bab., "In the midst God lifts the curtain on this epic in the greatest drama in all of it" signifies in the very heart of this great Revelation "was history. there the Tree of Life; which bare twelve manner of fruits", or "And it shaIl be said in that day, 10, this is our God, we have twelve principles which ,we found in the previous chapter'to rewaited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have present the foundations of the New World Order. They are the waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."- gates by which mankind enters into the new civilization. This Isaiah 25:9. analogy brings the promise of Universal Peace as one of the Paul in I Corinthians gives a wonderful prophecy and promise fruits of the Tree of Life designed for "the healing of the nations" of the future: " ... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have for there shall "be no more' curse" (of war). iThis truly is a entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepar- preview ofth6 Kingdom of God on earth .. The throne of God ed for them that love him."-I Cor. 2:9. and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him; The prophet Joel also foretells: "And it shall 'come to pass and they shall see his' face and his name shall be on their. foreafterward, that I wiil pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your heads. This name is the Name of the Father, the name that God sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall has revealed for man in this Day to be "in their foreheads". It dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon is written in their inner consciousness with the ink of light, which the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour illumines their souls and through them gives light to the whole out my spirit."-JoeI2:28, 29. world. "And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the cover- At long last, mankind has, entered the. Seventh Day, the ing cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. great Creational Day of God, in whichá "there shall be no night," He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe and they shall give glory unto the Lord God Who giveth them a way tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he light "for ever and ever," which means for the Baha'i Universal take away from ofT all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it."- Cycle of five hundred thousand years. Baha'u'Jlah revealed that Isaiah 25:7,8. "this is the Day that shall not be followed by night."-G.P.B. p. 99. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In and the Lord God of the holy prophets: sent his 'angelá. to the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done."o:- was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits , and v.6. Then Christ proclaimed, "Behold, I come quickly: blessed yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book."-v. 7. the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: And John spoke: "'And ,} John saw these. things, and heard r,bJ -, ,_J.L "'iJ""l:o"!1.~ ... -u.~~'"?~~N;~'a'tJI~:.'!.ii::st~'b""~''''''

) ) ) 154 155 them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a saith he unto me, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow servant, lie."-v.15. and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the These will be rolled up with the old order. Truthfulness, sayings of this book: worship God."-v. 8,9. In other words, the trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, kindness and the love of God angel belonged to the human orbit of evolution, having progressed and of one's fellowman, these are the essentials to become worthy spiritually and reached an angelic state. He said to John there- to enter into the New World Order. "Nothing that maketh an fore, "Do not worship me, but worship God only." abomination or a lie can enterátherein." What a'period of cleans- "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy ing there must be! Each soul should sincerely ask himself, "~m I of this book: for the time is at hand."-v. 10. This is the day of striving to become worthy?" . " .. .' . fulfilment "the time of the end", therefore prophecy is no longer The Book of Revelation is divided into three general divisions: sealed. This recalls the angel's words in the Old Testament. "And prologue, revelation and epilogue. This is the epilogue: "I Jesus he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and seal- have sent mine angel to testify unto these things in the churches. ed till the time of the end."-Dan. 12:9. The "time of the end", I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and then is now at hand. morning star."-v. 16. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is Christ is stating here that He has given us the Revelation filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be which He foretold in the very first verse of the Book when He righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."-v. 11. said: "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God' gave In other words we have come to the bottom of a great new unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly step. Humanity today is undergoing that period of cleansing, come topass; and He sent and sjgnifi~d it by His angel untoHis testing, measuring, when each soul is given tlie power to choose se~vant John!"...:....Rev. 1: 1. . the next step on the path ofhis soul: either to remain in a condi- Herein Christ is saying: I have given you this great Revelattion of injustice, corruption and filthiness, or to be lifted to a ion to show you things which must come to pass and to testify higher plateau of progress and to a state of worthiness, righteous- unto you these things in the churches. Let it be 'remembered ness and holiness. that the "churches" referred to are not only the seven little missions of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira,' ,Sardis, Philadel- It is the Great Day of Decision for Every Human Soul! phia and Laodicea, but in a larger s~nse represent the. seven ~reat "And, behold, 1 come quickly; and my reward is with me, to living religious systems of the Adamlc Cycle: ,Sabealllsm, Hmdugive every man according as his works shall be."-v. 12. Here ism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism,: Christianity and Islam, Christ reemphasizes that it isn't what somebody else thinks about in their origin all divinely ordained. '. . us, it isn't what we believe, but it is according to our works that Christ is also testifying to the essential unity of all the Prowe are judged. This is that day of reward and punishment when phets when He' says: "I' am the 'root and offspring of David." the old cycle is rolled up; let us not be rolled up with it because John 7:42, Rom. '1:3. Abraham was the root,or ancestor of of our inability to make the Great Decision! David, while Christ was the descendent of David, yet He 'claims "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the to be both. Christ branched from David, through Jesse, -who was first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, the ancient forefather of Baha'u'llah. See G.P.B. p .. 94 .. This that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in is a marvelous proof given by Christ Himself of the return of the through the gates into the city."-v. 13, 14. The tree of life is Christ Spirit in Baha'u'llah, in the form of another perfect Man the tree of immortality but greater then immortality, it is the of God and refutes many of the dogmas of Christian theology. "tree of eternal life." This is eternal progress. The ge~ealogical distinction of Jesus the Christ, that of being a ~) ) ) descendant of Abraham, was shared by Zoroaster, Moses, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'Uah. Master Keys to interpret it, it hasremain~d, p~rhaps . the purest, Christ states that He is "the bright and morning star." He is and some say, the greatest book of the entIre B.lble .. T.he Gosp~1 saying that He is the harbinger of the Sun of the New Day, just as of John is undoubtedly the most spiritual book III the BI~Je, but It the morning star of the celestial heavens is the herald of the dawn too has probably gone through many changes, tran~la;IOns and of the New Day brought by the appearance of the physical sun or interpretations. This total recognition by J~hn of Chnst s prop~e our solar system. And the song of the morning star, if you listen tic words is a sublime expression of the punty of heart and a ShIll~ and watch when it appears above the horizon, is: "Awake! Awake! ing example for every human soul!. . , '. It is the time for the Dawn of a New Day! The Sun is about to . "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come qUlc~ly. rise!" So Christ is here telling us to awake, that the spiritual Sun Amen," John instantly replied, "Even so~ come, Lord Jesus. - of Truth is about to rise, to usher in the New Day-the New King- v.20.á '.. h f . dom of God on earth. He is the Glory of God, Baha'u'llah. Who In conclusion, Christ here is re-emphasIzmg t at a ter glvI.ng teaches that the Reality of Christ is the embodiment of the divine this Revelation to John in 96 A.D.,. He will sure.Jy. come agaIn. virtues and attributes of God: that Christ is the focal point of the The entire Baha'i 'World is procJaimmg the glad tJdmgs .th~t the Holy Spirit, that He is born of the Holy Spirit, He is raised up by same Christ Spirit, which came in Jesus, has returned agaIll III the the Holy Spirit.The Reality of Christ does not derive from Adam, Tabernacle of Baha'u'llah for the New Day, thus fulfilli.ng . all ~he or any other human ancestor. No! It is born of the Holy Spirit, prophetic signs foretold by Christ! John ends his RevelatIOn addmg and Baha'u'll<ih identifies Christ with the "Quickening Spirit." the early Christian ben ediction. "The grace of our Lord Jesus "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that Christ be with you all. Amen."-v. 21.ááá . . heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And who- May our hearts sing out in joyous ecstasyá these creatIve soever will, let him take the water of life .freely."-'-v.17. The words: "Arise, shine; for thy light. is come,and the glory of the Word of God is the "water of life" which Christ brought, and the Lord is risen upon thee. For,á behold,the darkness shall co~er understanding of which Baha'u'llah has renewed and restored the earth and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall afIse bringing redemption, love, unity, peace and justice to the childre~ uponthe~, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."-Isai~h60:1,2. of men for this new cycle. . "0 thou who art waiting,á tarry no lon~er, for ~e IS ~ome. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the Behold His Tabernacle and His Glory dwellIng therem.lt IS the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, Ancient Glory, with a new Manifestation."--:-Baba'u'llah.;-RN.E. . 37.á .. I'á . ';." :.' .• ; .... , :. ; God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of p "Ere long, these fruitless strifes, this ~~inous,~a~s ~hall cease, this prophecy, God shall take a way his part out of the Book of and the Most Great Peace shall come. -Baha u Uah-B.N.E. Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book." - v. 18,19. The Book of Life is the mirror P.60á"I bear witness, 0 friends! ' thatth~ favo~r.is~omplete, á.the: which reflects every thought, word and deed. Baha'u'llah declar- argurhen t fulfilled, the proof manifest and the ~vldence estabhshed "The mirror of His knowledge reflecteth, with complete dis- ed. Let it now be seen what your endeavors. I? the path of dettinctness, precision and fidelity the doings of all men." Gl. p. 204. achment will reveal. In this wise hath the dIVIDe favor been fully "Every act ye meditate is as clear to Him as that act which is al- vouchsafed unto you and unto them that are in heaven and on ready accomplished." -Gl. p. 150. Because of these two verses, this earth. All praise to God, the Lords of all Worlds!"-Hidden Book of Revelation has survived the centuries with fewer changes, Words, Persian No. 82: . "' j ' .

perhaps, than any other book of the Christian Bible. Because The Declaration of Baba'u'IIah . ' ;, . man has feared to change it, and because he did not have the It was Apri1l863 in the great spra wling city of Baghdad, once

i .! ,1 ) 158 159

the cultural capital of the world. Here Baha'u'llah received the "0 my God! .... I yield Thee such thanks as can cause the edict from the government of Iran that He and His family were Nightingale of Glory to pour forth its melody in the highest to be sent far, far away to a place of unknown destination. While heaven ... I yield Thee such thanks as can fill the heavens and the preparing the caravan for the journey, they are camped for twelve earth with the signs of Thy transcendent Essence, and assist alI days in the Garden of Ridvan, Garden of Roses, just outside the created things to enter the Tabernacle of Thy nearness and Thy city. When the news of their departure was noised about, they Presence. I yield Thee such thanks as can make every created were besieged by people who came to express their respect and thing to be a book that shall speak of Thee, and a scroll that shall love. All the notables of Baghdad, even the governor himself unfold Thy praise" .-P. M. p. 330. came to honor the departing prisoner. Roses were heaped so high in the tent of Baha'u'llah that the "The time fore-ordained unto the peoples and kindreds of friends could not see over them, and each departing guest left the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the with a rose as a token of His Love. Holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled ... Happy is the man that One night when the moon was full, the air soft and balmy, pondereth in his heart that which hath been revealed in the and the nightingales singing so loudly one could scarcely hear His Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.' Meditate words, He walked up and down the moon-flecked path. He was upon this, 0 ye beloved of God, and let your ears be attentive a majestic figure with flowing robes and a tall feIt head-piece, the unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace and mercy, drink sign of Prophethood. His followers were weeping bitterly for your fill from the crystal waters of constancy ... This is the Day they would see Him no more. which the Pen of the Most High hath glorified in all the holy Suddenly He stopped, looked down upon them with indescrib- Scriptures ... It is incumbent, in this. Day, upon every man to place able majesty and compassion. The Hour had struck. It seemed his whole trust in the manifold bounties of' God, and, arise to as though the nightingales ceasedth eirsinging; as though all dissemina:te,with theuttl10st wisdom, the verities of His Cause. creation stood still, that they might hear His every word. He Then, and only then, will the whole earth be enveloped with the announced the glad tidings that He was the One Whose coming morning light of His Revelation".-Baha'u'llah. B.W.F. pp. 11, had been foretold by the Bab, the "Promised One of all the 12. Prophets", the "Risen Christ", the "Glory of God", the "King of Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds! Kings"! As the power and immensity of His Words reached the souls of these sorrowing ones, suddenly their bitter weeping changed to joy, exultant joy! They pressed their lips to His garments, His shoes, even the ground upon which He stood, and the nightingales began their rapturous singing. A new flood of the Holy Spirit was released in the world! A new direction came into being! A new symphonic rhythm vibrated forth!

A New Creation Was Born! - ~'j •

May every hUman soul ere long fervently supplicate in these Prayers of Baha'u'lJah. "0 God teach us Thy Oneness and give us a realization of Thy Unity, that we may see no one save Thee, Thou art the Merciful and the Giver of bounty ... " THE NINE POINTS OF GLORY ) crying in the wilderness". -foretold-Isa. 40:3; fulfilled- John 1:23. "A child born of a virgin";-foretold-Isa. 7:14; fulfilled-Matt. 1:23. Massacre of children by Herod at time of birth of Christ;-foretold-Jer. 31:15;. fulfilled-Matt. 2:16-18. CHAPTER XXIII The place where the should beborn;-foretold-Micah 5:2; fulfilled-Matt. 2:1. The flight into Egypt; foretold-Hosea 11:1; PROPHECIES FULFILLED BY THE ADVENT fulfilled-Matt. 2:15. His Mission;-forefold-Isa. 61:1; Num. OF CHRIST 24:17-19; fulfilled-Luke 7:22. His' speciaFMission as a "Light to the Gentiles";-foretold-Isa. 49:6-7; fulfilled-Luke 2:32. The miracles He performed;-foretold-Isa. 6:8-10; fulfiIled- In turning the pages of history we find that there are many John 12:37-41. The parables He used:~foretold---'-Psa. 76:2-3; prophecies in the Old Testament that have been fulfilled. fulfilled-Matt. 13:35. He was despised; rejected and persecuted According to the Talmud, ancient book of Jewish Law, the site by men;-foretold~Psa. 22:7; and Isa. 53: 12; fulfilled-Mark where King Solomon's Temple was to be built was a field left by 15:28-29. His entrance into Jerusalem sitting on an ass;---'-foretold a father to his two sons whom he loved dearly. The two boys -Zech. 9:9; fulfilled~Matt.21:1-7. 'Hisbetrayal;'-foretoldplowed, planted, cultivated and harvested together. As each Zech. 11:12-13 -fulfilled-Matt. 26:15 iJohn 13:18-19.; 'His considered his brother's need, each became convinced that his manner of suffering;-foretold- Psa> 22:16 and 69:21; fulfilledbrother should have received more than half of the harvest. Luke 23:36. A bone of Him shall not be broken;-foretold- Therefore each, one night, took all the sheaves he could Psa. 34:20; fulfilled-John 19:36. His crucifixion;-foretold-Zech. carry from his storehouse and started toward his brother's house. 12:10; fulfilled-John 19:24. He is numbered with transgressors;- They were surprised to meet each other midway in the field with foretold....:..lsa. 53:12; fulfilied-Luke '22:37. The • price of His arms full of sheaves. Each sensing the thought in the mind of the burial;-foretold-Zech. 1l:13; fulfilled-Matt. 27:7-9.' His re- ' other, the brothers dropped their sheaves and embraced. The surrection;-foretold-Hosea 6:2; fulfilled-Matt. 28:6-7;' His Talmud says that on that soil, consecrated by the tears and love ascension;-foretold-Psa, 110:1; fulfilled-Mark 16:19. of true brotherhood, the foretold Temple of Solomon was erected. All of these prophetic statements and" many more, 'regarding Thus that prophecy was fulfilled. the coming of Christ have been fulfilled.' Therefore those ref~rring It is not on that same kind of basis that we must build the to the Promised One to come in' this Day, Whom-Christ and all New World Order; a basis of genuine brotherhood, where, instead the other Prophets foretold, must; also •mo'stcertainly .come' to of asking, "What do I get?" we ask "Did my brother get what he pass. ,. was entitled to receive?" "What can I do for him?" -:

There are many prophecies of Solomon, David, Moses and , : '" i-:

others that were fulfilled during the Old Testament times. There are many prophecies regarding Jesus the Christ foretold in the ii'

Old Testament that are fulfilled by New Testament events, which - I r; : . ~! ,

are important for consideration now. The following brief references may inspire further study. Propbecies about Cbrist The Advent ofJesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament pro- ,;" ,I "." .... Ii

phecies regarding His coming, e.g., His forerunner would be "One ::\1.,.' <'.• L,*", ,,-,i'e_ )

16 : 14. "I have yet many things to sayunto.you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come."-John CHAPTER XXIV 16 : 12-13. . , .' In a clear far-reaching statement,' Bahil'u'lIilh has given both THE PROMISED ONE warning and guidance to the Christian'World: .~'Beware, 0 Con- The Second Coming of the Christ Spirit course of the Son (i.e. the Christians) 1 Cast it not behind you, but hold thereunto. It is better for you .than all that which is before you I ... Verily, the Spirit of Truth is come, to guide you Does the Bible contain signs which help us to recognize the into aIJ Truth. Verily, He speaketh not- from Himself, nay, but Promised One? Yes, many. It tells of Christ coming in the rather from the All-Knowing and Wise. He is the One whom the Glory of the Father, where the two Manifestations of the latter Son hath glorified".-B.N.E. p. 134. days will appear, where the teachings will be given, and even the Baha'u'llah translated into English means the "Glory of God" titles by which They shall be known in that Day. For example: and "King of Glory", the title usually given in the Bible to the Christ clearly foretold, "For the Son of man shall come in the Manifestation of God for the New Day.' Baha'u'llah has in glory of His Father with His angels, and there He shall reward Christ's own words "testified of me" -John 15 : 26; "and shall every man according to his works."-Matt. 16 : 27. Also-"Buthe glorify Me."-John ]6: 14, and in His many Books, Baha'u'IIah being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, has praised and exalted the Divine Station of Christ and explained and saw the glory of God, (Baha'u'lIah), and Jesus standing on the essence of His teachings. "Know thou that-when the Son of the right hand of God."-Acfs. 7: 55. Also "For whosoever shall Man yielded up His breath to God, the whole creation wept with be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a: fresh capa-. ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's city was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed and with the holy angels."-Luke 9:26. "He that hath see me in all the peoples of the earth, are now manifest before thee. hath seen the Father." -the same Divine Spirit.-John 14: 9. The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profound- "And I will set my throne in Elam."-Jer. 49 : 38. In the Bible, est learning which any mind hath unfolded,the-:arts which the "throne" is often used as the symbol of the "Word of God," or ablest hands have produced, the influence exerted by the most "The Station of Manifestationship." So the meaning is that the potent of rulers, are but manifestations of the quickening - power Word of God, or the promised Manifestation, wiII appear in released- by His transcendent, His all-pervasive and resplendent Elam. The Bab, who was the Forerunner of Bahil'u'lhih, was Spirit."-Gl. pp. 85-86. •. ! born in the city of Shiraz, in that part of I ran which was formerly Christ foretold: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, known as Elam. His proclamation of the coming of the Promised whom the Father will send in my name, He' shall teach you all One of the New Day, was made May 23, 1844 in Shiraz. Daniel things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I also refers to the Province of Elam as the place of vision in the have said unto you."-John 14: 26. And again: ."Nevertheless, latter days.-See Dan. 8 : 2. I tell you the truth; it is expedient that I go away; for if I go not In the Gospel of John, in the words of Christ, we read: "But away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I when the Comforter is come, Whom [ will send unto you from will send Him unto you."-John 16 :7. . the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Baha'u'lIilh declares, "The Comforter Whose advent all the Father, he shall testify of me."-John 15 : 26. "He shall glorify scriptures have promised is now come that He may reveal unto me; for he shall receive of mine, and show it unto you."-John you all knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface •.••;:;:;,,~W::"'~."''''Wii!):> "~.';"'''''''.~~+~ f6d.r*-.W¢:.~.' 1-"' M ~ ";"~;"'h ._." "'.,,""'",.,,""'''''.,~.~.,

i•

164 16; of the earth, haply ye may find Him ... I am the One ... Whom the and to the age of maturity. Even as Moses gave' light aecording tongue' of Isaiah hath extolled, the One with Whose name both to the infancy of mankind and foretold the coming of His Succesthe Torah and the Evangel were adorned .... The glory of Sinai sor, so Christ gave more of the light or Truth and revealed the hath hastened to circ1e around the Day-Spring of this Revelation, signs of the One Who would fol1ow Him. The Light of Revelation while from the heights of the Kingdom the voice of the Son of shineth in this Day in meridian splendor and Baha'u'lhih foretells God is heard proclaiming: 'Bestir yourselves, ye proud ones of the the Ones to come. earth, and hasten towards Him." Carmel hath in this day has- When all things are made new, then obviously God speaks tened in longing adoration to attain His court, whilst from the through a new name. "And the Gentiles shall see thy. righteousheart of Zion there cometh the cry: "The promise of all ages is ness and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new now fulfilled. That which had been announced in the holy writ of name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name."-Isa. 62 : 2. God, the Beloved, the Most High, is made manifest!"-W.O.B. "And the Lord shall be king overall the earth; in that day shall pp. 104-105. there be one Lord and Him name one."-Zech. 14: 9. Christ The Prophets all foretold the coming of a New Day. Isaiah said; "Take heed that ye be not deceived; for many shall come wrote: "Sing unto the Lord a 11 ew song, and His praise from the in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near; go end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is there- ye not after them."-Luke 21 : 8. in; the isles and the inhabitants thereof."-Isa. 42 : 10. For be- Baha'u'llah is the name chosen, not by anyone of the relihold I create new heavens and a new earth! and the former shall gions of the past, but is the New Name which the mouth of the not be remembered, nor come into mind."-Isa. 65 : 17. "And Lord has Himself revealed, for all peoples over the earth. This He that sat upon the throne said, Behold r make all things new. new Name unites all peoples, as Christ foretold, into' one Fold And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faith- with one Shepherd. fuI.H-Rev. 21 : 5. . "All the peoples of the world are awaiting two Manifestations, Bahit'u'llah's own words proclaim: "Soon, will the present who must be contemporaneous; aU wait for the fulfillment of this Order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead ... The promise."-SAQ p. 46. '" ,; day is approaching when We will have rolled up the world and all Moses Maimonides, 1135-1204, ,founder of Jewish theological that is therein, and spread out a new Order in its stead ... The law which the Jews have strictly observed throughout the centurworld's eqUilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating in fluá ies, foretold the coming of the two Messiahs, One announcing ence of this Most Great, this new World Order. Mankind's the Other, and gave the signs of Their coming. In the Old Testaordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this ment the Jews have also the promise of the coming of the Lord of unique, this wondrous System, the like of which mortal eyes have Hosts and Elijah, Whom they call Messiah ben' Joseph and the never witnessed".-W.O.B. pp. 161-162. Messiah ben David; one heralding the other. In the Gospel the "Know thou of a certainty that the Day Star of Truth hath, return of Christ and Elijah is promised .. All these are fulfilled in in this Day, shed upon the world a radiance, the like of which the coming of the Bab and Baha'u'llith .. ,"i ';.1 " bygone ages have never witnessed. Let the light of His glory, Inthe religion of Muhammad there is the promise of the o people, shine upon you, and be not of the negligent"-Gl. p. Mahdi and the Messiah, and it is the same with the Zoroastrians 319. . and the other religious systems. Each faith expects the advent God has spoken through the mouths of His Holy Prophets to herald the beginning of a new era of human experience, when since the world began, and each One has foretold and given the the world will be judged according to its works, and the Kingdom signs by which man can recognize the Promised One when He of God will become established upon the earth with peace and comes. Each One successively reveals more of the 1ight of Truth equity for all mankind. as man unfolds spiritually from infancy to childhood, to youth "And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way ) ) 166 167 of the gate whose prospect is toward the east...And, behold, the In the Book of Revelation we read of One riding on a white glory of the Lord fiIJed the house."-Ezek, 43:4-5. All of the pro- horse Whose name is "called the Word of God." "And He hath' phecies are unanimous in declaring that the Glory of the Lord shall on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF come to the Holy Land from the East. The Glory of the Lord, KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."-Rev. 19:13, 16. Baha'u'lhih, was born in Iran, was heralded by the Bab, meaning After giving all the proofs of His station, Baha'u'lhih, the the Gate, or Door to the New Age. Baha'u'llah was taken as a Spirit of Truth, declared in these soul-stirring words: "He Who life prisoner to Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land: thus again is pro- is the King of Kings hath appeared, arrayed in His' most wondrous phecy fulfilled today. glory, and is summoning you unto Himself. the Help in Peril, the Isaiah foretold the place of His coming. "The wilderness and Self-Subsisting. Take heed lest pride deter you from recognizing solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice the Source of Revelation, lest the things of this word shut you out and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice as by a veil from Him Who is the Creator of heaven. Arise, and even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given serve Him Who is the Desire of all nations, Who hath created unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, tbey shall see the you through a word from Him, and ordained you to be, 'for glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God."-Isa. 35:1-2. all time, the emblems ofRis soverefgnty."':"'GI. pp. 211~212 .. "And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering The foregoing are a few' of the convincing signs and evid- . cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations." ences that are completed. The argument is nowá fulfilled, the -Isa.25:7. proof manifest and evidence established. May we now, sincerely A most interesting prophecy of place also occurs in Micah and prayerfully, study and meditate on the history of the' Baha'i 7:12; "In that day also' He shall come even to thee from Assyria, Faith as related to this •remarkable divine communication from and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the Christ-"The Book of Revelation", with the Keys given by river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain!'- Baha'u;llah, the Promi;ed One. See map following last page. Baha'u'llah, the great New World Educator, was born in : r,J_ -:-;; Tihran, the capital city of Iran, which is located in a part of the ancient Assyrian Empire. -, ! Not by any effort on His part to fulfill prophecy, but as a .',- prisoner of the government, Baha'u'lhih was taken under guard from the fortified city of Constantinople to Adrianople, and - -. . '-)1[1_' finally to the fortress of Akka, from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from Sar-Galu mountain in Kurdistan to Mount "~; . Carmel, and gave His ~eachings for the Day of Unity and Peace. In this tortuous journey the ancient prophecy recorded by Micah and other Prophets was quite literally fulfilled. "Out of prison He shall come, to reign; whereas also he that is born in the kingdom be- ". I

cometh pooL"-Eccl. 4:14. He was banished to the solitary desert place of the prison of Akka in Palestine. He gave His Teachings in the valley of Sharon and upon Mount Carmel, so that those places quite literally saw the Glory of the Lord 1,.- through His Manifestation, just as Isaiah had promised. - See , l'

map following last page. THE BLOSSOM OF'MATURITY , i i J, I: , I

iI sion as heralding the coming of a Divine ;Educator 'WhoWQuld Ii I: quicken the souls, illumine the minds, unify the' 'consciousness, and remold the customs of mankind. 'After' six' years iof 'heroic /.: effort, steadfastness and ardent teaching, the result of ,which, rent 1 . CHAPTER XXV the Muslim World in twain,: this radiant Comet of Light; , 'the Prophet, the Bab, became a victim of fanatical persecution and BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAHA'I FAITH was publicly martyred in Tabriz on July 9, 1850. ' , I ' '

Baha'u'llah, meaning the "Glory or Splendor of God", Whom the Bab foretold, then'unveiled Himself, and gave the' Glad, Tid- Civilizations rise and fall; crises come and go; a cycle begins, ings to the entire world that the Holy Spirit had again come to rises to its culmination and ends, and another cycle begins. The revivify humanity in its hour of need, that a' new and I greater great turning points in history mark the decline of one social cycle had begun, that the Day foretold by Christ and all the Proorder and the rise of the new one. Few will doubt that we are phets-the Age of Brotherhood, and the Knowledge of God and experiencing such a crisis today. And how few realize that this the Day of Peace had dawned. He summoned all people' of the world shaking crisis means not only the rolling up of an old order world to drink from the, spiritual fountain of Everlasting Truth', and the birth of a new one, but also the dawning of a new cycle and to unite, to build a better world;, "i with new laws, new principles, new patterns and a nobler way of Desperate forces of reaction and: hatred gathered at once life. It is a new creation! about the Pure One, His family and, H;i~ little ,band of faithful History shows that these great cyclic steps forward are the followers. Always the persecutions begin' when "the Prophet of result of a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit through one of the God sta tes His Mission, which is ever' fOJ: the physic~l, mental Chosen Divine Channels or Messengers of God; Sometimes They and spiritual uplift of all mankind. " are called the Divine Educators or Holy Prophets Who have come In that age of frightening darkness and fanaticism in Persia, as Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ and Muhammad, to lift Baha'u'llah was imprisoned in the Black Pit ,~f Tihran. ".He and mankind a step higher in the Path toward God. many of His followers were stripped of their property, and rights, The Baha'i world community is proclaiming the Glad Tidings and tortured. He was exiled to Baghdad, Constantinople, Adrithat the Holy Spirit is released in this Day through Baha'u'lIah, anople, and at last, as the supreme infliction, in 1868, to the Most "the Promised One", Who has brought the Word of God and Great Prison in Akka.' This was historically a despicable i and foul Whose universal principles and quickening power have already penal city, the most desolate in the world, located across the pay become established inhuman consciousness. We begin to see fromMt. Carmel in the Holy Land:-SeeMap following lastp~ge. the brotherhood of man in terms of social and spiritual reality. Voluntarily sharing these ordeal~ from'earlychildhood, in We begin to envision the fulfillment of the glorious words of order to be of service to His beloved Father, was"the eldest son of Christ that the Golden Age of Peace and Unity will soon come Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha; meaning "Servant of the Glory". 'His upon the earth. confinement, lasting 40 years, was terminated in 1908 by the" colo: Slowly the veil lifts from the future. Along whatever road lapse of the Turkish Empire. Then amorei humanitarian' regime' men may look out, they will see before them some guiding truth, was initiated by the Young Turks 'under" Kamal Pasha and some leading principle, some basic law, which Baha'u'llah reveal- 'Abdu'l-Baha was set free. :'; i';" ' i'i", i' '", ','! ed long ago and which is part of the thinking and of the spirit of Baha'u'llah, ascended in 1892 after appointing, i in' His 'last this age. Will and Testament, 'Abdu'l-Baba, as His, authorized interpreter: On May 23, 1844, a radiant youth of Shiraz, Persia, known as a~d Center of His Covenant. "'Abdu'l-Baha,thiough His'great' the Rib meaning "The Door of the Spirit" proclaimed His Mis- love, purity of heart, His unfailing wisdom and tireless ~effort, pro- 170 171 claimed the Word of God throughout Europe and America. He ., h t observe that which shall shall profit you, and enJotnet you 0 I t' " -The Kitabpassed on in 1921. . h unto God , the Lord of Reve a Ion. d raw you mg In 'Abdu']-Bana's last Will and Testament He appointed Shoghi Effendi, His first grandson, to maintain the pristine purity i-Iqan. 1 f B h' I God beareth Me witness! "Blessed are the peop e 0 a a., h them the uniof the Message, as the Guardian of the Baha'I Faith. This divine- They are the solace of the eye of creatlon, thdr~gblet embellished ly chosen young man, in colIaboration with the faithful Baha'is, h b adorned and the Preserve a • has spread the unity and integrity of the Faith throughout the ~~:;sar:~~e ~:~s that saiied on the ark ,of complete indep~~~;~c: world. In this brief time it has now become firmly established, with their faces set toward the Day-Spnng o~ Bae::t~he faces ~f among all races, in most of the countries, islands, and dependen- their light the heavens have bee,n adorne, shine '.'-A.D.J. cies on the planet. those that have drawn nigh unto Him made t o . . During the 40 years of cruel oppression unequalled in the p.64. 'I' . annals of religious history, Baha'u'lhih wrote the Message of God > j -:' ; :: J' with His Own Pen as no Prophet before has ever done. These Writings constitute as much as a library of books on all phases of life and are unprecedented in human history. In these authoritative and authentic Writings are the New Principles necessary for unfolding the New World Order. ., 1. The Oneness of Mankind. 2. The Independent Investigation of Truth. 3. TheFoundation of all Religions is One. 4.á Religion must be the cause of Unity. 5.. Religion must be in accord with Science and Reason. 6. Equality between men and women. 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. 8. Universal Peace. 9. Universal Education. to. A Spiritual Solution to the Economic Problem. 11. One Universal Language. .: i ; 12.á An International Tribunal. ; ,1

The Baha'i Faith, the Baha'is believe, is the call to a new age of human maturity. An age ofJustice, Unity, Hope and Peace; foretold by Christ and all the Prophets before Him. The Writings ; 1': (~i ~.;

SUNBURS!()Fl<;NO~LE~~' of Baha'u'Hah are the breaths of Holy Spirit that create men anew. They now are building an advancing world civilization, a new THE ,i creation and a nobler and loftier way of life, for all mankind. , ,1': t .-'-' ,-

Baha'u'IIah states it in tbis way: "This is the Day in which the testimony of the Lord hath been fulfilled, the Day in which the Word of God hath been made manifest, and His evidence firmly established. His voice is calling you unto that which )

. , ,!. HISTORIC COMMENTARY

The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith Shoghi Effendi made this remarkable statement as to the significance of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. "The fundamental principle enunciated by Baha'u'Jlah is that religious truth is not absolute but relative, that Divine Revelation is a continuous and progressive process, that all the great religions of the world are divine in origin, that their basic principles are in CONNECTED complete harmony, that their aims and purposes are one and the TOPICAL same, that their teachings are but facets of one truth, that their doctrines, and that their missions represent successive stages in REFERENCES the spiritual evolution of human society, "His' mission is to proclaim that the ages of the infancy and of the childhood of the human race is past, that the convulsions associated with the present stage of its adolesence are slowly and painfully preparing it to attain the stage of manhood, and are heralding the approach of that Age of Ages when swords will be ,f

beaten into plowshares, when the Kingdom promised by Jesus Christ will have been established, and the peace of the planet definitely and permanently ensured .. Nor does Baha'u'Jlah claim finality for His own Revelation, but rather stipUlates that a fuller measure of the truth He has been commissioned by the Almighty to vouchsafe to humanity,at so critical a juncture in its fortunes, must needs be disclosed at future stages in the constant and limitless evolution of mankind ... It shows the depths of present day darkness and predicts the new dawn to a humanity which would respond to the Divine Call. But above all, it forcefully reminds modern man that he is not alone in the universe, that his existence is not meaningless, that his destiny is significant, and that the way to God is once again open to him." -See P.D.C. ) )

'; ,CHAPTER XXVI!;,

CONNECTED TOPICAL REFERENCES i ;"

i',

'Abdu'l-Baha Beloved son of Baha'u'Uah,' means "Servant of the Glory"; Center of His Covenant, "occupant of an office without peer or equal in the entire field of religious history". -G.P .B. p. 245.' ! ',';,',.,.,' :."d;l;'}~";

'Abdu'l-Aziz Sultan of Turkey. ruled fr.om i861-1876, and embodied the concentrated power vested in the Sultanate and Caliphate; "author of calamities heaped .upon Baha'u'llah".-G~P..B. p.225 . •Abdu'l-Hamid Successor of 'Abdu'l-Aziz, ruled 1876-1909, called "The II. Great Assassin", responsible for forty .yearsimprisonllleD~ of'Abdu'l-Baha, and many . other .. horrors. . - " ' ',' Abraham A Prophet born inUr 'of' Chaldea: and founder of the Jewish nation. CaJled "Friend of God", "Father of a Multitude", • Ancestor of 'Chrisr'Moses, and Muhammad and also of Baha'u'JIah. , .. ,:,:..; '. " ;.' . • _ "\;'"1 - - ., ,

Adam The PropheLgfGod, beginning a 6,000 year cycle ending' withtheBab:":'I" ',<' ," , ,. Adamic Cycle The cycle of history beginning with ':Adam, and of. city, . building. i ..•.

A.H. Anno Hejirae, meaning the year of the Hejira, dating the , Muhammadan Dispensation from Muhammad's flight from "Mecca to Medina in 622 A.p~"" " , / " , ; ; , " .;.'

'Akka The ancient city of the Most Grea(Prison in Palestine in which Baha'u'llah was incarcerated .. 1 , l.

'Ali Rightful successor of Muhammad, the first Imam, husband of Fatimih, Muhammad's daughter. The one Christ referred to as the "Witness", caJIed "the Lion of God". and I" " th7Lord ofSaintship':'.::-Bá~~F:3~á";~",, d,;i"/,'I.

Allah-u-Abha . The word of greeting in the Baha;i World, meaning: God' is All Glorious! one form of the Greatest Name. ) ) 176 177 i; I, Amir-Nizam, Grand Vizier for the Shah of Persia. He was responsible Caliphate is merely the outward and visible Defender of the i! J Faith while the Imam of the Shi'ites;isthe divinely ordain- Ii Mirza Taqi Khan for the martyrdom of The Bab. D.B. p. 526. Ii ed successor of the Prophet. This constitutes the great Iii division in Islam. 'Also, Khalifih or Khalif. ii Bab, The The Bab was born in Shiraz, Iran, October 20,1819, and III;11 was martyred on July 9, 1850, in Tabriz, Iran. The word -";"1 f,' f, "

iii meaning "Gate" or "Door" expresses the Mission of the :! Fatimih The beautiful daughter of Muhammad, wife of'Ali, ancestor :J: Bab as the "Gate of the Spirit". The Prophet-Herald of of the Bab and the twelve Imams, considered to be one of II 'I Baha'u'llah, Whom "posterity will recognize as standing at the five perfect women of unsurpassed excellence. At the i the confluence of two universal, prophetic cycles, the heart of every Religious System there' is a perfect woman, Adamic ... and the Baha'i."-G.P.B. p. 54. Spoken of as such as Sarah (Abraham), Asiyih (Moses), Maryah (Budi I' "The Primal Point". The Babi Dispensation began May 23, 1844 A.D. or 1260 A.H., two hours and eleven minutes dha), The Virgin Mary (Christ), Fatimih (Muhammad). !' after sunset, and ended with the Declaration of Baha'u'llah Tahirih (The Bab), and Bahiyyih Khanum .(Baha'u')h\h). I' i! -G.P.B. p. 347. :) Ii April 21 to May 2, 1863. , Baghdad .; The capital of 'Iraq, where Balla'u'IMh declared His Mission to the world. He called it the City of God, the a bode of peace.-G.P.B. p. 110. Hijaz 'The territory of Southwestern Arabia, also the Arabic Baha Splendor or Glory of God. The Greatest Name expressed language. . ;, also as Baha-a word of reverence, greatness and blessing. Hijra The time of the escape, of ,Muhammad from Mecca to Name of the first Baha'i month. Medina, and the beginning of the Muslim era, in 622' A.D. Baha'i (See AH.); also spelled Hijrat or Hegira. Light, glory of, or pertaining to or follower of Baha'u'lIah, , . . ~:: ~ _ -. _ _. i _ :; ~

the Founder of the Baha'i Cycle, which began March 21, ,';,

1844 and is destined to last for 500,000 years. ' Baha'u'llah "The Glory of God", "The Lord of Hosts", "The Word of Imam "The divinely ordained successor of the Prophet, Muham- God", "King of Kings", spiritual titles of the Founder of ad one endowed with all perfections and spiritual gifts .... the Baha'i Faith Who has born in Tihran, Persia, Novem- ~h;se decision is absolute' and final, Whose wisdom is ber 12, 1817. "The Supreme Manifestation of God and superhuman, and Whose words are authoritative.':-~ro~ne the Day Spring of His Most Divine Essence".-B.A. Tr. Narr. p. 296. The twelve 'Imams descendtng 10 ltne p. 11. from Fatimih, daughter of Muhammad,provide the genea- Bahji "The Place of Delight", where the Shrine of Baha'u'llah is logical line from which the Bab was born. "Imam" means located, the Most Great Place of Pilgrimage. one who stands before, or who is followed.

Bayan The Book of Laws of the Bab in which He fixes the date 'Iraq' "The territory: in southwest Asia, ~f~hich Baghdad is' th~ of the Promised Revelation.-G.P.B. p. 28. The Bab is Capital, the city ontheout~kir~s' or' which Baha'u'llab called the "Primal Point". made' The' Declaration of I,IIS ,Pr,ophethood to the , 'world. "," .'. "'I""""""'"'' Black Stone The Holy Shrine of Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca, sacred to 'j;

all Muslims. 'Ishqabad City in Russia, southeast of the Cas~ia~ ~e.a, where!he fir,st Baha'i House of Worship was, built, IDlllated ~y ~bdu l~ Baha,'in 1902, and called the Mother,Temple of' th~ ,.:~,~st .

Caliph "Self-styled" Vicar of the Prophet of Islam. -P.D.C. p. 99. ;:, . . á~~'P'Il',P. ~?O;,,',":":;:>:,.;: .:; ,"JI;I>;; .:."

Ancient and modern name" f~';i~~:~i'~, meaning excellent ~ ;, The Founders of the Caliphate, "Usurped the authority of Iran' the lawful successors" of Muhammad.-W.O.B. p. 178. The and the land of the Aryans. ' "", 178 179 Islam This word identifies the religion founded by Muhammad Muhammad The Prophet of God, the Founder of Islam and Revealer of and the history, government, and culture of the people, the Quran, the "Seal of the Prophets"." Baha'u'llah states, means to be at perfect peace and "striving after righteous- "The designation 'Seal of the Prophets' fully revealeth its ness." Also means Spirit ofIslam. (this Day's) high station. The Prophetic Cycle hath Ishmael verily ended. The Eternal Truth has now come."-W.O.B. The first son of Abraham, believed by the Muslims to be the first-born offered in sacrifice. p.167. Mulla A priest, theologian or judgej in Islam.'> I Mulla-Husayn The first to proclaim his belief in theB<1b, the Moon reflecting the Light of the Bab. Katurah Third wife of Abraham, the command Of God, from whom ~ l; , '. ,-

Baha'u'll<ih descended. Kitab-i-Aqdas The Most Holy Book of Bahf,'u'IHh, the charter of His Nasiri'd-Din Notorious and fanatical ruler of Persia from 1848 to "1896. World Order, the chief repository of His laws ... P.D.C. p.24. Shah Mightiest official' of Shi'ah Islam." Called by Baha'u'IIAh Revealed in 1873 in 'Akka. "Prince of Oppressors" .-G.P.B. p: 197.' Kitab-i-Iqan Called "The Book of Certitude". . .. of unsurpassed pre- Navvab The saintly wife of Baha'u'llah' whose offspring include eminence among the Writings of the author of the Baha', 'Abdu'I-Baba, the Greatest' Holy Leaf and the Purest Revelation. Revealed in 1862, in fulfillment of the Bab's Branch. She was entitled by Him, "The Most Exalted prophecy that the Promised One would complete the un- Leaf", and "His perpetual consort in .all the worlds of finished Bayan.-G.P.B. p. 138. God."-G.P.B. , .. ! ,. p. 108 .. See ; , ,.,' ~ 54th , . ,- Chapter of Isaiah. - ... : -, , -.' ! '> :::: Jr fi jJ . . 1. - '• (~ ,~;);'

KulI-i.Shay A period in the new Baha'i calendar comprising 19 Vahids, Naw-Ruz Baha'i New Year's Day, on March;; 21; which is celebrated each of 19 years. We are living in the first Kull-i-Shay, at the "vernal equinox and closes the Nineteen-day Fast which will end in 361 = 19XI9 years. The expression signi- throughout the Baha'i World. fies, "all things".

Paran A mountain in the wildernest 'in 'Trans-Jordania. Bible references to Mt.'Paran refer' to' the'Muhammadan Dis- Letters of the The first 18 disciples of the Bab who recognised Him as the pensation. (. Living result of meditation and prayer, and the B{,b and Bah,,'u'- llah the 19th and 20th Letters. D.B. p. xvii.

Qa'im The promised Qa'ini in the Qur'anrefe!stotheBab , ' ,- . ,~ J! ' , ' , -, -, '. ' ~ -'- ~ j

Qiblih Cubelikestone building at Mecca, containing the ;Sacred Maiden This is the symbol of the Holy Spirit speaking, in the Baha'i Black Stone. The point of adoration toward which the Dispensation, by the celestial Maiden, as in the Zoroastrian faithful turn in prayer, as Mecca, in the Muslim World, and' the symbol was the Sacred Fire; the Mosaic, the Burning the Most Holy Tomb of Baba'u'IIah, at Babji, in Israel, Bush; the Christian; the Dove; the Muhammadan, the angel the "Qiblih of the Baha'i World."-G.P.B. p. 277., (also Gabriel; the Bah,,'], the Celestial Maiden, which is a higher Kabih) .. " ,.; 1.'" ,";;, / h",!;" symbol. Qur'an The Sacred Book" of Muhammad,; which the Muslims are Mashriqu'1- The Baha'i House of Worship and surrounding educational Adhkar and cultural institutions to be erected in many localities in the future. "Symbol and precursor of a future civilization." -G.P.B. p. 350. "Literally Dawning Place of the Mention of Ridvan The name' of the Garden in Baghdad where Bahli'u'Hah God." made the Declaration of His Mission in 1863, during a 180 181 twelve day period, beginning on April 21st, and celebrated Yazdigird III Ancestor of Baha'u'IJah and the last King of the Sassaniyan annually. Also the Garden in Haifa, Israel, where Baha'u'- Dynasty. Hah stayed at times.

Zoroaster Prophet of God in ancient Iran. Founder of Zoroastrianism, Sarah First wife and maternal aunt of Abraham, ancestor of Who arose in a later era than Moses in Egypt. Ancestor of Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Christ. Baha'u'Uah. Shah King or ruler especially of Persia. Shah-Bahram The Promised One of the Zoroastrians, fulfiHed by the coming of Baha'u'llah. . Ll Shoghi Effendi Eldest grandson of 'Abdu'I-Baha, divinely appointed Rabbani Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, "Sign of God upon the earth". He was the authorized interpreter or the Bah(\', Sacred Writings. Shi'ah, Shi'ih, The division of Islam that recognizes the divine right of or Shi'ite successorship of the twelve Imams through the hereditary line of 'Ali. Sunni, Sunite The division of Islam that does not recognize the Divine Right of Successorship, but believes the leaders or Caliphs must be elected from a member of the Prophet's tribe.

Tahirih One of the Eighteen Letters of the Living of the Bab, and the only woman disciple of any of the Prophets of God; martyred in 1852.-D.B. p. 628. Tihran Birthplace of Baha'u'J!ah and Capital of Persia. Scene of many horrible Babi and Baha'i martyrdoms. '- )

Universal House The universal governmental authority to which eventually of Justice all the nations will turn. Ulama Learned doctors of Muslim law.

f '~' :., • . -.'r'; , ,;: '/" Vahid A period of 19 years, each year composed of 19 months, 'j~;"'!',', ' each of 19 days, in the Babi calendar. Vahid symbolizes the unity of God. THE WORD OF 'FULFILLMENT

Ya Baha'u'l- "0 my Lord, the Most-Gloriobs!" Supplication to God. "':' ' ',-,I' .. , l

Abha AnOther expression of the Greatest Name. ';(1,1;; The Declaration of the Mission of Balla'u'llah was in Baghdad, Iraq, April 1863. I I Christ in the first chapter reveals that "one like.untothe Son of Man", .1 which is Baha'u'lIah, "stands amid the seven golden candlesticks"-(the seven Religious Systems). He holds the "seven stars in His right hand". upraising CHAPTER XXVII and uniting their Truth and Light into the New Cycle. Chapter II. THE VISION BRIGHTENS-MESSAqE:;TO'T~ FOUR' INDEX SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHURCHES ' .. ' , , .. FOR STUDY The Messages are addressed t~ the first four of the seven churches and each one is divided into seven parts. . . 1. The Salutation to the church stating who is speaking., . 'Abdu'I-Baha writes regarding this book; "Consequently be engaged in pel'- 2. Commendation of the church for the good it has done. . usmg St. John's Revelation; all these signs are spoken of in that vision. Thou 3. Condemnation of the church for the evil that it has 'permitted. shalt soon behold things still greater than this."-T.AB. p. 286. 4. Punishment for that for which it is condemned. . 'Abdu'I-Baha also said (P.U.P. p. 455), that these signs are not to be taken 5. Reward for that for which it is commended. literally, but with symbolic and spiritual meanings. These are the mysteries of 6. A Promise is given to each church. Study the Pt:omises as they arethe . God and have ~eep outer and inner significances. As this is the Day of FuI- most important and relate to this Day.' . . . . . ~I~ment of ~he signs revealed by Christ, fulfilled in the coming of Baha'u'lhih, 7. Refrain near the end of each message or little poem, is "He that hath It IS exc~edmgly important to study carefully the new Keys to the Book of an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." RevelatIOn, and thus, as 'Abdu'I-Baha said, "become attracted to the Kingdom of God and attain Eternal Life." Chapter III. THE NEW NAME-MESSAGE .1'0 CHRIS:rIANITY To facilitate stu~y, a brief Index summary of the twenty-two chapters of Philadelphia or Christianity is the church of Brotherly Love." Though it is ~heBo~k of RevelatIOn follows. Pray God that the spiritual truths and symboI- commended for many great and excellent achievements, it, is condemned _"for IC warmngs enshrined in His Divine Revelation may enable the reader to "gaze thou hast a little strength." The more a thing is divided the less its strength, "In on Thy Beauty and observe whatsoever is in Thy Book." union there is strength." The last church is condemned for being "luke warm, neither hot nor cold." Study the history of each church in relation to the Chapter 1. THE VOICE OF GOD-ONE LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN Commendation, the Condemnation, the One Who is speaking and the Promise The Book of Revelation by Christ, through John, is divided into three when it repents. ~ ~' _.,. 1- .,- '.-':1r general sections; the Prologue, the Revelation in Seven Visions, and the Epilogue. It was revealed by Christ in 96 A.D. "to show the things which must Chapter IV . THE GLORIOl!S THRONE-THE. SlIINIl'lG RA~NBOW shortly Come to pass."-while John was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos. The Throne, the station of Manifestation and the One sitting upon it 'are John is commanded to write what he sees and hears and send it to the described and the four and twenty elders, the disciples of the Promised One seven churches which are in Asia. In the visions,the churches symbolize the and the four creatures who proclaim Him, are pictured. This chapter is full of seven existing divinely revealed Religious Systems. These Religious Systems important significances. ., are: 1. Sabeanism. 2. Hinduism. 3. Judaism. 4. Zoroastrianism. 5. Buddhism 6. Christianity. 7. Islam. (Muhammadanism). These are still extant in th~ Chapter V. THE MIGHTY BOOK SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS old cycle, and in the new cycle are 8. The Bibi Faith. 9. The Baha'i Faith. The Revelators of these Religious Systems in their chronological order are: The little Book sealed with the seVen seals, is the Message of God reveal- 1. UNKNOWN, possibly Enoch according to some Sa beans. ed by all the seven Revelators. It is the Word of God, not what man has' 2. KRISHNA, appeared in India between 2,000 and 3,000 B.C. said about them and built into conflicting creeds and theologies. Christ 3. MOSES, advent was in Egypt about 1330 B.C. revealed that the "Lion; of Judah, the Root of David," Who is the Promised 4. ZOROASTER, came in Iran between 1,000 and 500 B.C. One of this Day had the sealed book and gave it with His right hand to the 5. BUDDHA, was born in India about 500 B.C Lamb ordained for slaughter from the foundation of the' world. Christ WllS 6. CHRIST, the birth of Christ was between 4 B.C. and 1 A.D. the first' Lamb and the Bab is the Second Lamb to Whom, Baha'u'lhih gave 7. MUHAMMAD, was born in Arabia about 570 A.D. the book to open. Multitudes sang ."Worthy is the Lamb to take the book and 8. THE BAB, born in Shiraz, Persia, October 20, 1819. open the seal thereof." Before this time no one on earth nor inábeaven had 9. BAHA'U'LLAH, born in Tihran, Iran, November 12,1817. been able to take the book nor open the seals thereof. , C,""!,','á;."....--~l.._.id.htkinh 'r#lttS'-#1 trW'tWin.ii!!:i" ...... """"",......i ""L' ,"""~ ....... _c,~ __,_w-"""'..:o-...:.--_"._~._~~" , !

I Chapter VI. THE LAMB-OPENING THE SEVEN SEALS I Chapter XI. THE TWO WITNESSES-FOUR ,AND TW~NTY ~LDER~' Six of the seals are opened by the second Lamb, the Bab and historical Power is given unto the two 'witne~se~ who will prophecy for one thou~~nd events in the unrolling scroll of history are established. The seventh seal how- two hundred and three score years, 1260 years, clothed in sackcloth. This is durever remains unopened until after a special, soul-stirring event occurs. This ing the complete Muhammadan Dispensation. 'Abdu'l-Baha said that the two spirit-searching event relates to every soul upon this planet. witnesses are Muhammad, the Messenger of God and 'Ali, son of Talib. Muham- Chapter VII. SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD-SEALING 144,000 OF THE mad was the "sun" of His Dispensation and 'Ali was the ,','~oon',~ reflecting SERVANTS His light, being the fir5t to proclaim the station of.Muhammad:á These two witnesses brought the Law of God to the wild tribes of Arabia in 'such a way that The four angels are commanded to hold back the winds that were to des- they reached the highest degree of knowledge knownin those day~ and their troy everything upon the earth until the servants are sealed in their foreheads. fame became world wide. The beast was the Bani-Umayya which destroyed One hundred and forty-four thousand of those who had gained the light of the love of God in the spiritual life of the people and left only a lifeless form, the "unified or nine consciousness", in recognition of the Divine station and Christ foretold the coming of the Divine Morning Star after the 1260 years, Mission of all the Revelators of God, symbolically were sealed. This is a very the Bab, Who brought Light into all the darkness and deadness. The appallimportant chapter and should be carefully studied, (hat a gleam of this light ing martyrdom of the B{lb is pictured. may brig~ten each soul, that he may receive the seal of the "living God". Chapter XII. THE WOMAN-THE GREAT RED DRAGON. Chapter VIII. THE SEVEN TRUMPETS-THE TWELVE IMAMS A woman appeared with the sun and moon under her feet and twelve The seventh seal is opened and seven angels are each given a trumpet to stars in her crown, and "she brought forth a man child." The womanis the sound. Four angels blow the trumpet of awesome warning. They are the first Law of God, revealed by Muhammad, which fellinto greatest difficulties' until four holy Imams. But the people heed them not and great persecutions follow. through Fatimih, the daughter of Muhammad, and the twelve Imams, theá Bab The third part of the waters, the World of God which giveth life, "became appeared, born of the lineal line of Muhammad: He was born of the Law of wormwood, and many died of the waters because they were made bitter." They Muhammad, nurtured by that Law, and became manifest on earth, 1260 years drank not of the pure truth but partook of the twisted teachings, andwoe after that law was promulgated, thus fulfilling the prophecies of both Christ followed. Christ unrolling the great scroll of history pictures the distress of and Muhammad, regarding the time, times and half a:t,ime. The great red' those days when llJan follows the ideas of human origin rather than the untar- dragon is the ecclesiastical heirarchy of the Bani-Umayya which persecuted nished Word of God. the Law of God as represented by the Woman and her seed. This continued with distress, fear and horror. :"';;: !!; ::! ' Chapter IX. THE SEVEN ANGELS-LOCUSTS LIKE SCORPIONS Chapter XIII. TWO STRANGE BEASTS-THE LETTERS OF THE; Three other holy Imams sounded the trumpet of warning. Hordes of LIVING ' ,,.,, ' 'rá:" people like locusts that are given the power of scorpions persecute the innocent and defenseless people by means of the "beast". The Bani-Umayya, the eccle- The civilization of Islam rose to a great height, the envy of th~ known siastical hierarchy of Islam, destroyed the divine laws of Muhammad, and world, but the great red dragon gave his power to the beast who Was like a substituted hU111an rituals and forms, during one hundred and fifty years of leopard, and to the beast who looked like a lamb.": These held s'Yay over ten most terrible martyrdoms in all Islamic history. Christ foretold that this would countries of the world, ruling them without the Law of God but by ecclesiasticome to pass before the dawn of the New Day. StUdy Islamic history and cal power. Mu'aviyyih was, the sixth Caliph and first of the corrupt line of teachings, to understand that the predictions of Christ were fulfilled. Uroayyad rulers, who seized the Caliphate from Hasan, the son of Muhammad, by force and deception, and appointed his dissolute, evil-minded, treacher- Chapter X. THE LITTLE BOOK OPENED-A NEW DIMENSION, OF ous son, Yazid to succeed him. It was Mu'aviyyih who desecrated the Shrine TIME of the birth-place of Muhammad in Mecca and ordered the sacking of Medina, the burial place of the Prophet in 666 A.D. and tried to make Damascus the The mighty angel stands with the book open in His right hand, the hand Kaaba of the Moslem world. "The number of the beast was 666!": ' : " " . of power and proclaims "there shall be time no more," This is a cyclic change, with a new calender, a new rythm. It was on May 23, 1844 that the Bab Chapter XIV. THE ANGELS AND THE" SICKLES-Tli:E",TIME .' OF raised His hand to heaven and made the astounding Declaration that the cycle HARVEST '," had ended, a New Day had dawned and that He was the Prophet-Herald of The Lamb stood on Mt. Zion with the one hundred and forty-four thou- One greater than Himself, Who would be made manifest and Who would be the sand who had the Father's name in their foreheads. Four angels prepare their Originator of a New Universal Cycle with a new direction and a new rhythm. ' sickles to reap for the harvest is ripe. The "new song" is the new Revelation ) ) 186 187 ,which no one can sing save those who know it. The angels mentioned herc, Chapter XIX. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD - KING OF KINGS -LORD 'Abdu'l-Bahi said, are the spiritual and merciful powers sent to warn and guide OF LORDS mankind. Christ paints a picture of the harvest time of the latter days, when This chapter is a prophetic climactic peak to which the entire Bible mounts; the angles would thrust in their sickles to reap. The sixth angel is the Bib and in fact the prophecies of all the Bibles of the Religious Systems of the world find the seventh Angel on the Throne, Baha'u'IMh. fulfillment. The marriage supper of the Lamb is stirringly told, and blessed is he that is called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The most soul-thrilling Chapter XV. THE SEA OF GLASS MINGLED WITH FIRE - SEVEN picture is the heavens opening and a white horse riding forth and He that sat GOLDEN VIALS on him was clothed in, white garments of "spiritual life force". On his head The angels are given vials containing the seven last plagues. These are are many crowns of divine authority. His eyes are penetrating and purifying the symbols of the punishments that come to us when we disobey, individually, fire and His name is called The Word of God, KING OF KINGS and LORD collectively or universally the Laws of God. Being "golden vials" they signify OF LORDS! And armies follow Him on white horses, clothed in white linen, the spiritual nature of the "plagues to cleanse the world." The "Sea of glass" white and clean. Millions today are following the WORD OF GOD, KING is the sea of Truth revealed in this Day. Each Prophet brought Truth accord- OF KINGS, the LAW OF GOD, building the foundation for the NEW JERU- ing to the capacity of mankind, sOl11e drops. some small streams. Christ a SALEM IN THE GOLDEN AGE. "River". In lhis Day a "Sea" or "Occan" of Truth lIpon which those sland He is the Messiah the Christians are awaiting. Moses Maimonedes, founwho have been purified with the fire of tests and have the Father's name in der of the Jewish law which Jews have strictly observed throughout the centurtheir foreheads. ies, foretold the coming of two Messiahs, the LORD OFHOSTS and ELIJAH; whom' they call. MESSIAH ben JOSEPH and MESSIAH ben DAVID, one Chapter XVI. ARMAGEDDON - THE GREAt EARTHQUAKE heralding the other. What a Day offulfillment in' which to be living and ser- The seven angels poured out their vials upon the earth, the sea, the foun- ving His Glory! Study it well ! tains of waters, upon the sun, the seat of the beast, the Euphrates and then the Chapter XX. A NEW DIMENSION-THE THOUSAND YEARS Battle of Armageddon took place from which no one could escape. Humanity and the earth were cleansed, by staggering tests, fire, floods, storms, and the Satan is bound for a thousand years and the dead lived not until the thougreat earthquake. Then the seventh angel poured out hisvialin the air, and sand years were finished; Satan is called by severalhames,tliedragon, the "great Babylon came in remembrance before God." old serpent, the devil, the deceiver, the evil spirit. 'Abdu'FBaha explains that the cycle of Baha'u'Uih would last for 500,000 years and His Dispensation for Chapter XVII. THE SIREN - BABYLON THE GREAT 1,000 years, that His Cause is very great, its powers are growing, its signs are dazzling, that it shall continue in elevation, exultation, growth, promulgation The woman in purple and scarlet - the beautiful siren, deceived the people, and promotion until it shall reach the apex of its gloryin 1,000 years. No the rulers of the nations and the inhabitants thereof, even those before the al- one of major nor minor station of Prophet hood will appear in less than a thou~ tars. On her forehead is her name written "MYSTERY BABYLON THE sand years and Satan shall be buried in oblivion. The Book of Life is opened GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE and each soul is judged by the record written therein of the, words, thoughts, EARTH." The image of the beast continues. Bahi'u'llih warned a century deeds and motives of each human soul. Baha'u'IMh writes "Think not that I I' ago,"the signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, the deeds ye have committed have been blotted from my sight. By My Beauty! , 1 __

,.,. inasmuch as the prevailing order is lamentably defective." -W. O. B. p. 162. All your doings hath My Pen graven with open characters upon Tablets of i "The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence,of chrysolite." -G 1. p. 210. Examine carefully thy record for pointless activithis most great, this New World Order." Gl. p. 136. ties. Chapter XVIII. NO MORE, AT ALL - THE EARTH SHALL SHINE Chapter XXI. THE CITY OF GOD - THE TWELVE FOUNDATION WITH HIS GLORY STONES This is shocking picture of the destruction of the great Babylon and of the The magnificent city with its streets of gold and the twelve stately foundaweeping and wailing of the merchants. Evolution alone is not enough to, tion stones upon which the majestic edifice of peace, justice, security and unity bring about the great changes that must come to the world to prepare for the shall be erected, is described. Nothing that maketh an abomination nor a lie, magnificent and glorious world ahead. It can be brought about only by means nor those that are not written in the Book of Life can enter the New World of sudden, violent, electrifying forces. Christ pictures this as a mighty angel Order of Baha'u'llih. The Universal House of Justice will establish the Justice casting a great mill-stone with violence into the sea, and with a great splash, needed for the New World Order. Praise and thanksgiving for the divine it shall be found no more at all. Study well this lesson. instrument to maintain the World Order for all peoples! ii Ii

,-Chapter XXII. POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH The pure water, the river of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the Throne and the Lamb is the new Revelation with the laws, principles and ocean of Truth for the New Age, poured forth through the Pen of Baha'u'lhih. IMPORTANT DATES RELATING DIRECTLY AND The Power of the Holy Spirit hath poured forth the radiating Light of Revelation in meridian splendor, in this Day. The Holy Spirit spoke through the INDIRECTLY TO THE HOLY LAND Blessed Christ for three years of oral Teachings 2,000 years ago; and through > r"

the dictated Message of the Messenger of God, Muhammad, from 622 to 632 A.D. So, in this Day, the Spirit has spoken through the shining Bab for six years, during which He revealed 500,000 written verses; and through the Most 5000 B.C. Jericho is a flourishing city. Glorious One, Ba!1a'u'lIah, Who during 40 years, revealed an entire library of 2000 B.C. Abraham brings His family and followers from Vr to Canaan. His recorded, creative Revelation. After Him, the writings of 'Abdu'I-Baha God makes a Covenant with Him that in His seed all the nations and Shoghi Effendi were ordained, in this Day, to keep the Word of God pure would be blessed, if He obeys God. ".! and untarnished in the midst of human suppositions. All praise be 10 God for 113 years of unveiled Light for the guidance of 1800 B.C. Israelites enter the land of Goshen in Egypli .. mankind in the great, new cycle! At long last man has entered "the Seventh Day, the Creational Day of 1300 B.C. Moses leads the downtrodden Israelites out of Egypt toward God." This is the Day in which Peace and Progress shall be established in the Canaan. Moses reveals the Ten Commandments probably 1233, "New Heaven and the New Earth." Christ said that it is the Great Day of and Joshua conquers and settles Canaan•. (Encyclopedia dates Decision, "he that is unjust, Jet him be unjust still; he that is filthy, let him be differ.) filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is 1175.B.C. . Philistines sail from Greek Islands to coast of Palestine. holy, let him be holy still." -v.l1. Christ was born of the Holy Spirit. He was raised up by the Holy Spirit. He was guided by the Holy Spirit. He is the 1020 B.C. Israelites settle on both banks of the Jordan River; Saul becomes embodiment oCthe Holy Spirit. He is the Quickening Spirit Ihat brings life the firstJ(ingarid establishes a monarchy for seven years (1092- to human souls. The same Quickening Holy Spirit has returned in Baha'u'llah 1098). . . .. . " . . to bring life, not only to an ailing humanity and a tottering civilization but to bring forth a New World Order, a new Rhythm and a new Creation! Let us 1013 B.C. David the second king, unites and strengthens the nation and explore it carefully, transform our attitudes and reflect in our lives the GLORY builds the capital city of Jerusalem. rules for 22 years. OF GOD and help to bring the KINGDOM OF GOD VPON THE EARTH! 981 B.C. Solomon rules as a wise king. from 981-933, erects the. Temple WHAT CAN I DO? HERE AM I! O! LORD! in Jerusalem over the Sacred Rock. Noted for his wisdom and SEND ME! splendor of His Court and for the spread of progress. ; J ; i . . " . '< '-, {- -- ,i( I SEND ME! 745 B.C. Assyrians conquer the' Holy, Land, scatter and enslave the Israelites. "I - ~ F i' ! ' . ,;587 B.C. Beginning of Babylonian captivity of the ,Jews. Fall of Jerusalem. , "< , '. (\/ I:,: . 539 B.C. . Cyrus II of Persia conquers .Babylonia, restores Judah. , ' , ' ' 530 B.C. Many Jews retllrn and rebuild Solomon's'Temple in 515 B.C. 333 B.C. . Alexander the Great conquers Palestine, 'brings) Gre~~i 'culture and language, has the Old Testament' translated from Masoritic Hebrew into G~~ek. '/1 :,:~j, .c,:!, ):,: .. " . ": .. 1 ., 325 B.C. Death of Alexander., Palestine fallsá,to Ptolmey, Founder;.of dynasty which ruled Egyptfoc3QO years. ,," .iil' 190 191 200 B.C Selcucus I defeats Ptolmey and controls Palestine. 1157-1197 Richard the Lionhearted, King of England,starts the Third Crusade in 1189; conquers Akka and Cyprus; recaptures Jaffa 157 B.C. Judas Maccabeus leads Israelites in revolt against the Syrian from Saladin. ' "'; king. 1291-1516 Mameluke Sultans of Egypt rule Palestine. 75 B.C. Herod the Great is king of Judah until 4 B.C.. Is converted to Judaism. Begins rebuilding the great Temple of Jerusalem; 1496-1566 Suleiman The Magnificent, Turkish Sultan; restores walls of builds Caeserea. Jerusalem; buil<;ls Damascus Gate. ' 53 B.C. Pompey the Great takes over the Greek empire. Reorganizes 1400 Mongolians under Tamerlane, called Prince or'destr!lction, de- Palestine under Roman rule with Jewish-Priest kings. vastate the Holy Land. " - , ".'

27 B.C. Augustus Caesar rules Roman Empire including Palestine until 1516 Ottoman Turks defeat ' Mamelukes;, rule' Palestine until 14 A.D. Rules during the ministry of Christ. 1918. 5 B.C. Estimated birth of Christ, by star of Bethlehem, in Bethlehem of 1753 Shaykh Ahmad of Arabia,' first forerunner of the Bab, "the Judea. ,Gate", born., , 4 B.C. Herod Antipas rules Galilee until 34 A.D. Puts John the Baptist 1789 Siyyid Kazim, second forerunner of the Bab born in Persia. to death. Orders death of all boy babies. 1817 Baha'u'lhih, the Glory of God, Mirza Husayn'AIi, is born on 22 A.D. Pontius Pilate procurator of Judea under Emperor Tiberius, November 12 in Tihran, Persia; foretold' by all the Prophets tries and condemns, Jesus Christ. Rules until 36 A.D. before Him. -, ''<'0' --

26 A.D. Beginning of Chrisrs ministry. Reveals the Word of God, 1819 The Bab, the Gate, Mirza 'Ali Muhammad, is born on recorded years later in the Gospels. He did not write them. October 20 in Shiraz, Persia; foretold in all Sacred Scriptures, the Herald for Baha'u'llah. " , ,J 30 A.D. Jesus Christ crucified in Jerusalem probably April 7, 30 A.D. 1829 Shaykh Ahmad of Arabia, proclaims the coming of -the Great 7l A.D. Romans destroy Jerusalem; exile the Jews and rename the Qa'im, foretold by Muhammad. ' .: ' country Palestine. This name continued until after World Warl. 1844 The sign of Aquarius crosses the vernal equinox on March 2l'st, and a new cycle begins, the beginning of the Baha'i World 395 AD. Palestine becomes part of the Byzantine Empire. Calendar and a new creation. " "l ';",'1 '.T,á, 570-632 A.D. Muhammad, Founder of Muhammadan Religion and Islamic 1844 The Bab makes His momentous, iworld-shaking Declaration on culture, reveals the Word of God, as a Divine Revelator. May 23, 1844. Dictates Qur'an, (did not write it Himself). Islar:nic culture spreads in the Holy Land. 1847 The Bab's persecutions begin in August under unspeakable conditions."" 636 A.D. By:-:antine territory and Palestine falls to Arabs under Omar. 1849 Mulla Husayn, the Babu'l-Bab, Herald! of'the Bab, , is martyred. ., 581-644 Omar I conquers Jerusalem. Decrees that the Sacred Rock of the Temple was the site of Muhammad's ascent unto heaven and 1849 Quddus, discipleof the Bab is tortured ~nd martyred. a Moslem Shrine henceforth. It still is. 1849 Vahid, disciple of the Bab is tortured and martyred. 1061-1100 Godfrey of Bouillon of France conquers Jerusalem and becomes 1850 Seven Martyrs of Tihran are martyred in March in Tihran. the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. , 1850 The Bab is martyred in Tabriz on July 9. He gave evidence 1006-1291 Period of Crusades. Kingdom of Jerusalem continues. that His Teachings in spirit and in purpose are the same as that 1138-1193 Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria fights to drive Christians of Christ and quoted some of Christ's instructions, to His discifrom Palestine; defeats them in 1187. ples "Letters of the Living". '1 - / J ) 192 193 1892 Ascension of Baha'u'Jlah in Bahji. May 29, '1892, in'the Holy 1851 Hujjat, disciple of the Bib, is martyred. , Land. ,;, 1852 Tahirih, great emancipator of womanhood, only woman dls- 1893 First public mention of Baha'u'llah and' the Baha'i Faith in ciple, is martyred, , America, by Dr. Jessup of Syria at the Columbian EXpOSition in h P phets imprisoned III 1853 Bahi'u'lIih, Promise~ One of all t e :~i1ed 'from Persia on Chicago, September 23.' ' ' ; . iii. ' . , ' k p't f Tillfan; torture, d . . d the Blac I 0 mou ntains without sufficient foo , 1894 The knowledge of the Baha'iFaith begins to spread around the January 12, across ?eserts, 'I B ghdad where He arrives world, clothing, sheller, wllh faml y to a , April 8, , 1892-192l The responsibilities and power are placed upon the, shoulders hd d I nlOuntains and wJlder- of the Son of Baha'u'Jlah, Whom He appointed in His last Will 1854 Baha'u'llah withdraws from Bag da .Oth Christ when He went and Testament, as the Center of the Covenant, the Mystery of d á (to be compare WI ness of Kur Istan, M d all the Prophets of God, The Moon of Guidance, stating "His Word is My Word, into the wilderness, to Abra?am, oses an the past withdrawing for a time,) hear ye Him". 'Abdu'IáBaha was a life prisoner, during the 40 years of imprisonment of Baha'u'llah and until the collapse of 1856-1858 'Id ss March 19 reveals Baha'u'Bih returns from thle W,I, ernevelous Writing~ begin to the Turkish Empire.,' Reveals ,more Of tht; c:har~e]" of 'the New ' World Order. " ',; ," ",,", <"'i? i , ,,,ái, ... ; "Hidden Word", "Seven Va leys ,mar be revealed for the New Age, 1897 Shoghi Effendi, great-grandson of Baha'u'lliih, is born in the h B k of Certitude" in 48 1862 Bahi'u'llih reveals :'The Iqan, t ,e ~oand stamped with His prison city of Akka on March 1st. He was destined to have the whole world on his young shoulders. hours, written by HIS o'";n pen, S;g~~horitative and authentic of sea\. His Writings constitute mos a 1 1898 Divine Revelations in all history, December 10, the first pilgrims from the West arrive in Akka to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha. " .,.',' .. A '122 1863 makes His Dec IaratlOn . I'n Baghdad 1863 Baha'u'!Iah on pr~ , f His followers. 1899 January 31, the arrival in the Holy.Landof the remains of' the in the Garden of Rldvan, before many 0" ". ' ,. ,. . Bib, after dangerous journey. Later laid in a. special Shrine 1863 " ,One, a life prl'soner, is exiled on May 3, 1863, to . "Holy This on Mt: Carmel constructed b.>:'Abdu'J~Bab:i., Constantinople. 1908 Collapse of the Turkish Empire, due largely to "the efforts of 1863 'bam'shed to Adrianople and arrives there In December, H e IS General Allenby.'Abdu'I-Baha. idreed'i'l' December 12, 1863, 1909 'Abdu'l-Baha places wooded casket containing remains of the 1864 Many of the followers of the Bab and Baha'u'llah are exiled Bab and His Companion in lllarble sarcophagus on Mount from Persia, , Carmel. ' "" " :,.. ,;, .. ' .. " .. 1910 'Abdu'I-Bahi leaves the Holy Land to teach in Egypt. He had 1867-1868 Tablet of Baha'u'lhih in Adrianople to transfer the body of the Bib to a safe place, been a prisoner With Baha'u'llah for mOre thlln 40 years. (1868- 1908), 1870 ne 23 son of Baha'u'Hah, who prayed 1911 Death of Purest Branch, Ju 'f: tl ose who were prevented 'Abdu'I-Baha leaves the Holy Land to . teach in Europe and that his life might be a ransom ~r 1 ., from attummg tIle IJreSence , of their Beloved, , England. He arrives in London, England, on September 4,1911. 1911 'Abdu'I-Baha returns to Egypt. 1873 Kitab-i-Aqdas revealed in the House 0 f Abud in Akka, It IS the Most Holy Book-The Book of Laws, 1912 'Abdu'l-Baha leaves Holy Land' to teach in America, Canada, h C ve of Elijah and reveals the and EUrope and on March 25, He sails with a party on the 1888 Bah:i'u'JI:ih goes to t e fa h Charter of the. New World Tablet of Carmel, part 0 t e Cedric via Naples to New York. ';., ' Order. 1912-13 May 1, 'Abdu'I-Baha lays the corner-stone of the Baha'i House 1890 Bahi'u'lhih reveals "Epistle to th e Son of the Wolf", last of of Worship in Wilmette, I/Jinois.' He then returns to the Holy His many majestic Writings, Land on December 5, 1913, where He arrives in Haifa. 1918 Chaim Weizmann, noted chemist and scholar, becomes the first 1 ,195 president of Israel. He secures the Balfour Declaration in ts destiny is "very great" Th favor of a Jewish National Home in Palestine: He also establi- have been called the Ch . P e Jews do not know why they called to bUild a natio o~enh eople. They think they have been shes the Weizmann Scientific Institute. ~aha'U'llah it will beco~: theo~: o~ state.. But according to 1918 The British defeat the Turks in World War 1. Palestine is CIOUS jewel of the Baha'i W Id ;tlfUI chalice holding the premade a British mandate. Birth' of the League of Nations. THE WORLD! THE CITyO~F ;~ter! THE CAPITAL OF day they will "recognise the H I E GREAT ,KING! Some 1920 'Abdn'I-Baba is knighted by the British government in Haifa. and rejoice in having b O Y One of Israel III their midst" Rejoice! "LIFT UP YO;~n ;rhosen for so great a destiny. LIFT THEM UP YE'EVERLA~~?S' 0 YE GATES! EVEN 1921 'Abdu'I-Baha passes away November 28,1921 in Haifa. There is great mourning among all peoples. KING OF GLORY SHALL COM NG DOORS! AND THE Shoghi Effendi appointed Guardian of the Baha'i Faith in the OF GLORY? THE LORD OF HOE IN! WHO IS THE KING 1921 Will & Testament of 'Abdu'I-Baha at the young age of 24 years. GLOR Y!-Psalms 24. STSI HE IS THE KING OF

1925 The Muslim court in Egypt, May 10, 1925, pronounces the il Ii Baha'i Faith an independent Religion, not a division of Islam. ,I

1937 Shoghi Effendi launches the first Seven Year Plan continuing ).' -

tili 1944. 1946 He launches the second Seven Year Plan continuing till 1953.

1948 Israel becomes an independent nation. Arab League begin 'j 0:, attacks which continue to foment trouble.

1953 He launches the Ten Year Crusade until 1963, a spiritual crusade around the world. Arranges for the election of the first Universal House of Justice. "The last remaining citadel for peace in a tottering world."

1957 Shoghi Effendi passes away in London, on November 4th. 1"

1963 The centenary year of Baha'u'lhih's Declaration when the first Universal House of Justice is elected on Mt. Cannel, in Haifa. It is announced to the world during the great Baha'i World Congress "the most great Jubilee," in London, England, in May, destined to establish peace among the nations.

1967 On June 5, Israel in a six day war takes the Gaza Strip. extends her borders, takes Golan Heights overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and old Jerusalem; the beginning of the Bible prophecy THE GLORY OF'THEHOLY LAND of her extended borders.

1968 The Palace of King Solomon is discovered. The walls were 6 feet thick.

TODAY This historic picture of the lights and shadows of the Holy , ':. ~', ]

Land, throughout the centuries, reve:ils the majestic process of God toward the great destiny of that Holy Land. 'Abdu'I-Balla said "Israel is very important. It will becoine a sea of light. ) ) ) Dawn-Breakers, The-by Nabil. (Baha'i Pub. Comm. 1932, N.Y.) áD.B. Do'a The Call to Prayer-Ruth J. Moffett. (Carl Gorr Printing Co. 1933) . '. .

Encyclopedia Britannica (1954 N.Y.)

English Journal of Science~by Dr. Tho~as Milne~i" - - - - -, • 1 ~ i..: ':

BIBLIOGRAPHY Epistle to the Son of the Wolf---:by Baha.'u'llah •. (Bahf i Pub .. .. ~ .. Comm.1941) E.S.W;. FiftY-Three Years in Syria-by Dr.H.H. Jessup. Text Abbreviations Foundations of World Unity-by 'Abdu'l-Baha.á (Baha'i Pub. Abraham Davenporl-Poem by John Greenleaf Whittier Comm.1936) F.W.U. Advent of Divine Justice-by Shoghi Effendi. (Baha'i Pub. Trust, GalIery of Nature, The-by Dr. Thomas Milner, Prof. of Wilmette, 1956.) A.D.J. Astronomy at Yale U n i v e r s i t y . " ' '. ,\. . AmerIcan J ourna I 0 f Sciences and Arts-by Dr. Humphreys of .'. Gleanings from the Writings of Baba'u'IlAh.(Baha'i Pub.' St. Johns College. Vol. XXV, (1834) Comm. N.Y. 1935) Gl. American Journal of Sciences and Arts-by Denison Olmstead, Prof. of Astronomy, at Yale. Vol. XXV. God Passes By-by Shoghi Effendi. (Baha'i Pub. Comm .. Wi/-. mette, 1944) Astronomy for Everybody-by Prof. Simon Newcomb. G.P.B. Hidden Words of Baha'u'liah. (Baha'! PUb. Trust, Wilmette, Baha'i Administration-by Shogh!. Euen '" d'I. (B ah'" a l Pub . Comm. 1952) 1928.) BA Historical Account of Earthquakes, History and Philosophy of Baha'i News. (1940-1963-Baba'i Pub. Comm.) B.N. Earthquakes-by Dr. Thomas Hunter, Geologist ,. ~ j, ~.

Baha'i Prayers-(Baha'i Pub. Trust, 1959-1963) B.P. History of the Arabs-by Philip K. Hitti (MacMillan, 1940) Baha'i World Faith-(Baba'! Pub. Comm. 1943) B.W.F. X History of the Islamic Peoples~by Carl Brockelmann. (Putnam, 1947) .. " Baha'i World (Volumes 1 to XJI)-(Baha'i Pub. Comm.1926- .',1 1964) B.W. '1., Histories of the WOrld-by Carlyle, Ridp~th; Toynbee;Wells, " (etaI1898-1963) , .. , . . '.' .. :",.,':, .... Baha'u'll ah and the New Era-by Dr. J.E. Esslemont (Baha'i Pub. Comm. 1950) B.N.E. Holy Bible-Various References, Editions and King' James '. Version .'.' ,:.j " . ' , The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah-by Shoghi Effendi (Baha'i Pub. Comm. 1934, N.Y.) D.B.

Christ and Baha'u'lh'th-by George Townshend (George Ro- Kitab-i-Iqan-by BahA'u'IMh. (Baha'i Pub .. Comm~.1931) . nald, London, 1959) C.B. , " ". -" : ~ . '. , ' , ~ .. IQ. Letters froOl Shoghi Effendi to the Author. (1921-1957, Haifa," Chosen Highway, The-by Lady BlomIield. C.H. Israel) ,.': ;" - (Baha'i Pub. Trust, M,ondon, 1940) _'(;J .'"

Library of Original Sources-Editor-in-Chief,Oliver;J. Thatcher .. "J City of the King-POem by Shanaz Waite. (Gift to Author) Vol. I-X (Editors edition) No. 19 . J., ,. 198 199 Department of History, University of Chicago, Univ. Research Talmud, The. Extension. (1907) Vol. 1-10. Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Vol. II, III, (1919-1930) Lifeof Voltaire-by Dr. James W. Parton. Vol. 11, (1880) T.AB. Traveller's Narrative, A-by Prof. Edward Mahomet and His Successors-by Washington Irving.. Pub. Comm. 1930) G. Browne. (Baha'i Trav. N. Main Current of Modern Thought-Magazine. Publisher: Julio- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. (1883) us Stulman. (1957, 1958, 1965) Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, The (1921) Memories of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences-by W.&T. World Moves on to its Destiny, The-Sho h' Prof. A.M. Hollis. 1885. Pub. Comm. 1944) g 1 Effendi (Baha'i Modern Science-by Mr. David Dietz, Western Reserve Univer- World Order of Baba'u'JMh, The-b Shoghl' sity (1946) Pub. Comm. 1944)á Y Effendi, (Baha'i W.O.B. Mysterious Forces of Civilization-by 'Abdu'l-Baha. (Bahi'l Pub. Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 'The-(Somerset, Comm. 1918). M.F.C. Purnell & Son) . England, 1924. W.AB. New York Herald Tribune-Rafaele Bendandi, Seismologist. OUf Day in the Light of Prophecy-by W.A. Spicer. (London, 1917) Popular Astronomy-by Dr Camille Fiammurion, Astronomer- Magazine, France, 1880

The Life of Voltaire-Parton, James W., (Houghton, Millin & Co. 1881) , Promised Day is Come,The-by S110ghi Effendi. tBahil'i-Pub. Trust, 1961) P.D.C. Prayers and Meditations of Baha'u'lh\.h--(Bah{\'i Pub. Comm. 1948) P.&M. Promulgation of Universal Peace-by 'Abdu'J-Baha (Baha'i Pub. Comm. 1943) P.U.P. Proclamation of Baha'u'lJah to the Rulers-CompiJed and published by the Universal House of Justice . . P.B.R. I -;- ....

)t Qur'an, The-(Sale, London, F. Warne & Co.) LOVE BRHAt ~IIITH UNITY Six Lessons on Islam-by Marzieh Gail (Baha'i Pub. Trust) Some Answered Questions-by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Baha'i Pub. Comm. N.Y. 1930 S.A.Q. Song Celestial-by Dr. Howard Colby Ives. (The London Press, Chicago, 1938) Sources of Christianity - by Khwaja Hakamaluddin X Spirit of Islam, The-by Syad Ameer 'Ali (Christopheres, London . 1935)