It is said, "The beast made war against these two witnesses"(47)-that is to say, a spiritual war, meaning that the beast would act in entire opposition to the teachings, customs and inst.i.tutions of these two witnesses, to such an extent that the virtues and perfections which were diffused by the power of those two witnesses among the peoples and tribes would be entirely dispelled, and the animal nature and carnal desires would conquer. Therefore, this beast making war against them would gain the victory-meaning that the darkness of error coming from this beast was to have ascendency over the horizons of the world, and kill those two witnesses-in other words, that it would destroy the spiritual life which they spread abroad in the midst of the nation, and entirely remove the divine laws and teachings, treading under foot the Religion of G.o.d.
Nothing would thereafter remain but a lifeless body without spirit.
"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified."(48) "Their bodies" means the Religion of G.o.d, and "the street"
means in public view. The meaning of "Sodom and Egypt," the place "where also our Lord was crucified," is this region of Syria, and especially Jerusalem, where the Umayyads then had their dominions; and it was here that the Religion of G.o.d and the divine teachings first disappeared, and a body without spirit remained. "Their bodies" represents the Religion of G.o.d, which remained like a dead body without spirit.
"And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves."(49)
As it was before explained, in the terminology of the Holy Books three days and a half signify three years and a half, and three years and a half are forty and two months, and forty and two months twelve hundred and sixty days; and as each day by the text of the Holy Book signifies one year, the meaning is that for twelve hundred and sixty years, which is the cycle of the Qur"an, the nations, tribes and peoples would look at their bodies-that is to say, that they would make a spectacle of the Religion of G.o.d: though they would not act in accordance with it, still, they would not suffer their bodies-meaning the Religion of G.o.d-to be put in the grave. That is to say, that in appearance they would cling to the Religion of G.o.d and not allow it to completely disappear from their midst, nor the body of it to be entirely destroyed and annihilated. Nay, in reality they would leave it, while outwardly preserving its name and remembrance.
Those "kindreds, people and nations" signify those who are gathered under the shadow of the Qur"an, not permitting the Cause and Law of G.o.d to be, in outward appearance, entirely destroyed and annihilated-for there are prayer and fasting among them-but the fundamental principles of the Religion of G.o.d, which are morals and conduct, with the knowledge of divine mysteries, have disappeared; the light of the virtues of the world of humanity, which is the result of the love and knowledge of G.o.d, is extinguished; and the darkness of tyranny, oppression, satanic pa.s.sions and desires has become victorious. The body of the Law of G.o.d, like a corpse, has been exposed to public view for twelve hundred and sixty days, each day being counted as a year, and this period is the cycle of Mu?ammad.
The people forfeited all that these two persons had established, which was the foundation of the Law of G.o.d, and destroyed the virtues of the world of humanity, which are the divine gifts and the spirit of this religion, to such a degree that truthfulness, justice, love, union, purity, sanct.i.ty, detachment and all the divine qualities departed from among them. In the religion only prayers and fasting persisted; this condition lasted for twelve hundred and sixty years, which is the duration of the cycle of the Furqan.(50) It was as if these two persons were dead, and their bodies were remaining without spirit.
"And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth."(51) "Those who dwelt upon the earth" means the other nations and races, such as the peoples of Europe and distant Asia, who, when they saw that the character of Islam was entirely changed, the Law of G.o.d forsaken-that virtues, zeal and honor had departed from among them, and that their qualities were changed-became happy, and rejoiced that corruption of morals had infected the people of Islam, and that they would in consequence be overcome by other nations. So this thing has come to pa.s.s. Witness this people which had attained the summit of power, how degraded and downtrodden it is now.
The other nations "shall send gifts to one another," meaning that they should help each other, for "these two prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth"-that is, they overcame the other nations and peoples of the world and conquered them.
"And after three days and a half the spirit of life from G.o.d entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that saw them."(52) Three days and a half, as we before explained, is twelve hundred and sixty years. Those two persons whose bodies were lying spiritless are the teachings and the law that Mu?ammad established and "Ali promoted, from which, however, the reality had departed and only the form remained. The spirit came again into them means that those foundations and teachings were again established. In other words, the spirituality of the Religion of G.o.d had been changed into materiality, and virtues into vices; the love of G.o.d had been changed into hatred, enlightenment into darkness, divine qualities into satanic ones, justice into tyranny, mercy into enmity, sincerity into hypocrisy, guidance into error, and purity into sensuality. Then after three days and a half, which by the terminology of the Holy Books is twelve hundred and sixty years, these divine teachings, heavenly virtues, perfections and spiritual bounties were again renewed by the appearance of the Bab and the devotion of Jinab-i-Quddus.(53)
The holy breezes were diffused, the light of truth shone forth, the season of the life-giving spring came, and the morn of guidance dawned. These two lifeless bodies again became living, and these two great ones-one the Founder and the other the promoter-arose and were like two candlesticks, for they illumined the world with the light of truth.
"And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven,"(54) meaning that from the invisible heaven they heard the voice of G.o.d, saying: You have performed all that was proper and fitting in delivering the teachings and glad tidings; you have given My message to the people and raised the call of G.o.d, and have accomplished your duty. Now, like Christ, you must sacrifice your life for the Well-Beloved, and be martyrs. And that Sun of Reality, and that Moon of Guidance,(55) both, like Christ, set on the horizon of the greatest martyrdom and ascended to the Kingdom of G.o.d.
"And their enemies beheld them,"(56) meaning that many of their enemies, after witnessing their martyrdom, realized the sublimity of their station and the exaltation of their virtue, and testified to their greatness and perfection.
"And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand."(57)
This earthquake occurred in _Sh_iraz after the martyrdom of the Bab. The city was in a turmoil, and many people were destroyed. Great agitation also took place through diseases, cholera, dearth, scarcity, famine and afflictions, the like of which had never been known.
"And the remnant was affrighted and gave glory to the G.o.d of heaven."(58)
When the earthquake took place in Fars, all the remnant lamented and cried day and night, and were occupied in glorifying and praying to G.o.d. They were so troubled and affrighted that they had no sleep nor rest at night.
"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly."(59) The first woe is the appearance of the Prophet, Mu?ammad, the son of "Abdu"llah-peace be upon Him! The second woe is that of the Bab-to Him be glory and praise! The third woe is the great day of the manifestation of the Lord of Hosts and the radiance of the Beauty of the Promised One. The explanation of this subject, woe, is mentioned in the thirtieth chapter of Ezekiel, where it is said: "The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord G.o.d; Howl ye, Woe worth the day! For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near."(60)
Therefore, it is certain that the day of woe is the day of the Lord; for in that day woe is for the neglectful, woe is for the sinners, woe is for the ignorant. That is why it is said, "The second woe is past; behold the third woe cometh quickly!" This third woe is the day of the manifestation of Baha"u"llah, the day of G.o.d; and it is near to the day of the appearance of the Bab.
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever."(61)
The seventh angel is a man qualified with heavenly attributes, who will arise with heavenly qualities and character. Voices will be raised, so that the appearance of the Divine Manifestation will be proclaimed and diffused. In the day of the manifestation of the Lord of Hosts, and at the epoch of the divine cycle of the Omnipotent which is promised and mentioned in all the books and writings of the Prophets-in that day of G.o.d, the Spiritual and Divine Kingdom will be established, and the world will be renewed; a new spirit will be breathed into the body of creation; the season of the divine spring will come; the clouds of mercy will rain; the sun of reality will shine; the life-giving breeze will blow; the world of humanity will wear a new garment; the surface of the earth will be a sublime paradise; mankind will be educated; wars, disputes, quarrels and malignity will disappear; and truthfulness, righteousness, peace and the worship of G.o.d will appear; union, love and brotherhood will surround the world; and G.o.d will rule for evermore-meaning that the Spiritual and Everlasting Kingdom will be established. Such is the day of G.o.d. For all the days which have come and gone were the days of Abraham, Moses and Christ, or of the other Prophets; but this day is the day of G.o.d, for the Sun of Reality will arise in it with the utmost warmth and splendor.
"And the four and twenty elders, which sat before G.o.d on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped G.o.d.
"Saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord G.o.d Almighty, Which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned."(62) In each cycle the guardians and holy souls have been twelve.
So Jacob had twelve sons; in the time of Moses there were twelve heads or chiefs of the tribes; in the time of Christ there were twelve Apostles; and in the time of Mu?ammad there were twelve Imams. But in this glorious manifestation there are twenty-four, double the number of all the others, for the greatness of this manifestation requires it. These holy souls are in the presence of G.o.d seated on their own thrones, meaning that they reign eternally.
These twenty-four great persons, though they are seated on the thrones of everlasting rule, yet are worshipers of the appearance of the universal Manifestation, and they are humble and submissive, saying, "We give thanks to Thee, O Lord G.o.d Almighty, Which art, and wast, and art to come, because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power and hast reigned"-that is to say, Thou wilt issue all Thy teachings, Thou wilt gather all the people of the earth under Thy shadow, and Thou wilt bring all men under the shadow of one tent. Although it is the Eternal Kingdom of G.o.d, and He always had, and has, a Kingdom, the Kingdom here means the manifestation of Himself;(63) and He will issue all the laws and teachings which are the spirit of the world of humanity and everlasting life. And that universal Manifestation will subdue the world by spiritual power, not by war and combat; He will do it with peace and tranquillity, not by the sword and arms; He will establish this Heavenly Kingdom by true love, and not by the power of war. He will promote these divine teachings by kindness and righteousness, and not by weapons and harshness. He will so educate the nations and people that, notwithstanding their various conditions, their different customs and characters, and their diverse religions and races, they will, as it is said in the Bible, like the wolf and the lamb, the leopard, the kid, the sucking child and the serpent, become comrades, friends and companions. The contentions of races, the differences of religions, and the barriers between nations will be completely removed, and all will attain perfect union and reconciliation under the shadow of the Blessed Tree.
"And the nations were angry," for Thy teachings opposed the pa.s.sions of the other peoples; "and Thy wrath is come"(64)-that is to say, all will be afflicted by evident loss; because they do not follow Thy precepts, counsels and teachings, they will be deprived of Thy everlasting bounty, and veiled from the light of the Sun of Reality.
"And the time of the dead, that they should be judged" means that the time has come that the dead(65)-that is to say, those who are deprived of the spirit of the love of G.o.d and have not a share of the sanctified eternal life-will be judged with justice, meaning they will arise to receive that which they deserve. He will make the reality of their secrets evident, showing what a low degree they occupy in the world of existence, and that in reality they are under the rule of death.
"That Thou shouldst give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great"(66)-that is to say, He will distinguish the righteous by endless bounty, making them shine on the horizon of eternal honor, like the stars of heaven. He will a.s.sist them by endowing them with behavior and actions which are the light of the world of humanity, the cause of guidance, and the means of everlasting life in the Divine Kingdom.
"And shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth"(67) means that He will entirely deprive the neglectful; for the blindness of the blind will be manifest, and the vision of the seers will be evident; the ignorance and want of knowledge of the people of error will be recognized, and the knowledge and wisdom of the people under guidance will be apparent; consequently, the destroyers will be destroyed.
"And the temple of G.o.d was opened in heaven"(68) means that the divine Jerusalem is found, and the Holy of Holies has become visible. The Holy of Holies, according to the terminology of the people of wisdom, is the essence of the Divine Law, and the heavenly and true teachings of the Lord, which have not been changed in the cycle of any Prophet, as it was before explained. The sanctuary of Jerusalem is likened to the reality of the Law of G.o.d, which is the Holy of Holies; and all the laws, conventions, rites and material regulations are the city of Jerusalem-this is why it is called the heavenly Jerusalem. Briefly, as in this cycle the Sun of Reality will make the light of G.o.d shine with the utmost splendor, therefore, the essence of the teachings of G.o.d will be realized in the world of existence, and the darkness of ignorance and want of knowledge will be dispelled. The world will become a new world, and enlightenment will prevail. So the Holy of Holies will appear.
"And the temple of G.o.d was opened in heaven"(69) means also that by the diffusion of the divine teachings, the appearance of these heavenly mysteries, and the rising of the Sun of Reality, the doors of success and prosperity will be opened in all directions, and the signs of goodness and heavenly benedictions will be made plain.
"And there was seen in His temple the ark of His Testament"(70)-that is to say, the Book of His Testament will appear in His Jerusalem, the Epistle of the Covenant(71) will be established, and the meaning of the Testament and of the Covenant will become evident. The renown of G.o.d will overspread the East and West, and the proclamation of the Cause of G.o.d will fill the world. The violators of the Covenant will be degraded and dispersed, and the faithful cherished and glorified, for they cling to the Book of the Testament and are firm and steadfast in the Covenant.
"And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail,"(72) meaning that after the appearance of the Book of the Testament there will be a great storm, and the lightnings of the anger and the wrath of G.o.d will flash, the noise of the thunder of the violation of the Covenant will resound, the earthquake of doubts will take place, the hail of torments will beat upon the violators of the Covenant, and even those who profess belief will fall into trials and temptations.
12: COMMENTARY ON THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER OF ISAIAH
In Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10, it is said: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the c.o.c.katrice" den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
This rod out of the stem of Jesse might be correctly applied to Christ, for Joseph was of the descendants of Jesse, the father of David; but as Christ found existence through the Spirit of G.o.d, He called Himself the Son of G.o.d. If He had not done so, this description would refer to Him.
Besides this, the events which he indicated as coming to pa.s.s in the days of that rod, if interpreted symbolically, were in part fulfilled in the day of Christ, but not all; and if not interpreted, then decidedly none of these signs happened. For example, the leopard and the lamb, the lion and the calf, the child and the asp, are metaphors and symbols for various nations, peoples, antagonistic sects and hostile races, who are as opposite and inimical as the wolf and lamb. We say that by the breath of the spirit of Christ they found concord and harmony, they were vivified, and they a.s.sociated together.
But "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." These conditions did not prevail in the time of the manifestation of Christ; for until today various and antagonistic nations exist in the world: very few acknowledge the G.o.d of Israel, and the greater number are without the knowledge of G.o.d. In the same way, universal peace did not come into existence in the time of Christ-that is to say, between the antagonistic and hostile nations there was neither peace nor concord, disputes and disagreements did not cease, and reconciliation and sincerity did not appear. So, even at this day, among the Christian sects and nations themselves, enmity, hatred and the most violent hostility are met with.
But these verses apply word for word to Baha"u"llah. Likewise in this marvelous cycle the earth will be transformed, and the world of humanity arrayed in tranquillity and beauty. Disputes, quarrels and murders will be replaced by peace, truth and concord; among the nations, peoples, races and countries, love and amity will appear. Cooperation and union will be established, and finally war will be entirely suppressed. When the laws of the Most Holy Book are enforced, contentions and disputes will find a final sentence of absolute justice before a general tribunal of the nations and kingdoms, and the difficulties that appear will be solved. The five continents of the world will form but one, the numerous nations will become one, the surface of the earth will become one land, and mankind will be a single community. The relations between the countries-the mingling, union and friendship of the peoples and communities-will reach to such a degree that the human race will be like one family and kindred.
The light of heavenly love will shine, and the darkness of enmity and hatred will be dispelled from the world. Universal peace will raise its tent in the center of the earth, and the blessed Tree of Life will grow and spread to such an extent that it will overshadow the East and the West. Strong and weak, rich and poor, antagonistic sects and hostile nations-which are like the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and kid, the lion and the calf-will act toward each other with the most complete love, friendship, justice and equity. The world will be filled with science, with the knowledge of the reality of the mysteries of beings, and with the knowledge of G.o.d.
Now consider, in this great century which is the cycle of Baha"u"llah, what progress science and knowledge have made, how many secrets of existence have been discovered, how many great inventions have been brought to light and are day by day multiplying in number. Before long, material science and learning, as well as the knowledge of G.o.d, will make such progress and will show forth such wonders that the beholders will be amazed. Then the mystery of this verse in Isaiah, "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord," will be completely evident.
Reflect also that in the short time since Baha"u"llah has appeared, people from all countries, nations and races have entered under the shadow of this Cause. Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Hindus and Persians all a.s.sociate together with the greatest friendship and love, as if indeed these people had been related and connected together, they and theirs, for a thousand years; for they are like father and child, mother and daughter, sister and brother. This is one of the meanings of the companionship of the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, and the lion and the calf.
One of the great events which is to occur in the Day of the manifestation of that Incomparable Branch (Baha"u"llah) is the hoisting of the Standard of G.o.d among all nations. By this is meant that all nations and kindreds will be gathered together under the shadow of this Divine Banner, which is no other than the Lordly Branch itself, and will become a single nation.
Religious and sectarian antagonism, the hostility of races and peoples, and differences among nations, will be eliminated. All men will adhere to one religion, will have one common faith, will be blended into one race, and become a single people. All will dwell in one common fatherland, which is the planet itself. Universal peace and concord will be realized between all the nations, and that Incomparable Branch will gather together all Israel, signifying that in this cycle Israel will be gathered in the Holy Land, and that the Jewish people who are scattered to the East and West, South and North, will be a.s.sembled together.
Now see: these events did not take place in the Christian cycle, for the nations did not come under the One Standard which is the Divine Branch.
But in this cycle of the Lord of Hosts all the nations and peoples will enter under the shadow of this Flag. In the same way, Israel, scattered all over the world, was not rea.s.sembled in the Holy Land in the Christian cycle; but in the beginning of the cycle of Baha"u"llah this divine promise, as is clearly stated in all the Books of the Prophets, has begun to be manifest. You can see that from all the parts of the world tribes of Jews are coming to the Holy Land; they live in villages and lands which they make their own, and day by day they are increasing to such an extent that all Palestine will become their home.
13: COMMENTARY ON THE TWELFTH CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN
We have before explained that what is most frequently meant by the Holy City, the Jerusalem of G.o.d, which is mentioned in the Holy Book, is the Law of G.o.d. It is compared sometimes to a bride, and sometimes to Jerusalem, and again to the new heaven and earth. So in chapter 21, verses 1, 2 and 3 of the Revelation of St. John, it is said: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were pa.s.sed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from G.o.d out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of G.o.d is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and G.o.d Himself shall be with them, and be their G.o.d."
Notice how clear and evident it is that the first heaven and earth signify the former Law. For it is said that the first heaven and earth have pa.s.sed away and there is no more sea-that is to say, that the earth is the place of judgment, and on this earth of judgment there is no sea, meaning that the teachings and the Law of G.o.d will entirely spread over the earth, and all men will enter the Cause of G.o.d, and the earth will be completely inhabited by believers; therefore, there will be no more sea, for the dwelling place and abode of man is the dry land. In other words, at that epoch the field of that Law will become the pleasure-ground of man. Such earth is solid; the feet do not slip upon it.