Prophecy and the Orthodox Bahá’í

Viewpoints on Various Prophetic Writings and Works

By I’an RoeBuck

About the Author

I’an RoeBuck was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. He presently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is married with two children. A one-time Sans-Guardian Bahá’í, he left the Sans-Guardian tradition of the Bahá’í Faith after becoming more and more convinced that for the Faith to be real there needed to be a living Guardian.

He wandered for a while in the New Age Movement and Wicca. Still looking for a stable and satisfying experience with God, He became a Christian.

He received a B.A. in Education from the University of South Carolina, and has a Master of Divinity from Harvest Christian College and Seminary, Tavares, Florida.

After coming across several websites for the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith, and contact with Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter, he found that the Bahá’í Faith was indeed real because it does have a living Guardian.

Other Books by the Author:

Grace, Will and Faith

Prophecy and the Orthodox Bahá’í

Viewpoints on Various Prophetic Writings and Works

By I’an RoeBuck

Copyright c 2002

I’an RoeBuck

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

First Edition March 2002

Second Edition July 2002

Printed and Published in the U.S.A. by

The Orthodox Bahá’ís of the Greater Salt Lake City Area

P.O. Box 702104

West Valley City, UT 84118

Dedicated to Hand of the Cause of God Frank Schlatter, without whom I would never have become a Bahá’í.

Acknowledgements

I am first of all indebted to my wife, Julia. Without her constant support I would have given up long ago. I also wish to thank my two sons, Andrew and Joshua, who not only have made life interesting, but also without whom I would never have been persuaded to re-evaluate my personal stances on many issues within my life.

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Preface

In the summer of 2001, at the International Orthodox Bahá’í Conference, those attending were asked to make a presentation on the Faith. Among the things that I was privileged to present were four pass around items that I later collected. These four items were my research and thoughts upon four subjects that I had been studying in personal deepening of the Scriptures and teachings of the Faith. They were only 10% complete.

I received some interesting comments and aid from several of the participants including Mrs. Marilyn Meyers.

In the intervening months, I have been able to conclude initial research on one of the topics that has now become this book. Let me state from the first, this is not an interpretation of Scriptures. What follows are simply my viewpoints, as well as some explanations, of Scriptures within and without the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith.

It is my hope that for those who are Bahá’ís, this will give them a starting point for even further study and deepening. Those who are not Bahá’í, and who are from a Christian background may find the topics covered in this book to be of some interest. The main thing they may take from it is the necessity of rethinking some of the interpretations of prophecy that modern literalistic scholars have put forward. This should not surprise Bahá’ís, whose main presupposition is that prophecy and Scripture have a spiritual application and meaning far beyond any literalistic approach. For a Christian, this idea will be both challenging and new, and it is hoped that this book may give them a point of view to see these prophecies in a positive light.

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Introduction

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith has its early roots in that of Islam. A young Muhammadan Man announced in Persia on May 23^rd, 1844, that He was the forerunner of the Promised One of all the previous religions. It created uproar in that area of the world. No less than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábi’s were martyred. In 1850, the Báb was publicly executed.

One of the Báb’s followers became known as Bahá’u’lláh. That title roughly translates as “the Glory of God”. Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the One foretold by the Báb. He began his ministry in 1853, and publicly announced it in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh was banished successively from Persia to Baghdad to Constantinople, to Adrianople, and finally to the prison city of ‘Akká located across the bay from Haifa, Israel. He later pitched His tent upon Mount Carmel. He passed away in 1892.

His eldest son assumed the title `Abdu’l-Bahá (i.e., Servant of Bahá). `Abdu’l-Bahá was Bahá’u’lláh’s appointed Successor, Center of the Covenant, and Interpreter of the Word. Released from imprisonment, He traveled to Europe and America in 1911 – 1912. He passed away in 1921.

Shoghi Effendi, the eldest grandson of `Abdu’l-Bahá, was appointed by Him to be Guardian of the Faith, and under his leadership the Faith expanded to over 250 different countries. Shoghi Effendi was appointed as Guardian in `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament, which also created the Universal House of Justice with the Guardian serving as the sacred head of that Body. The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice are the divinely appointed authority in the Faith. Shoghi Effendi passed away in London in 1957.

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Shoghi Effendi, in the only Proclamation he ever issued, appointed Charles Mason Remey as the President of the First International Bahá’í Council, the embryonic Universal House of Justice. Mason Remey remained silent until 1960, as he tried to preserve unity among the believers. In 1960 he publicly announced that Shoghi Effendi had appointed him second Guardian of the Faith, since according to the Writings of the Faith only a Guardian can be the Head or President of the Universal House of Justice, whether fully formed or in embryonic condition. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi the embryonic House of Justice, which he had never activated, had immediately became an active institution, and Mason as its president, the Guardian.

Mason then fulfilled the requirements set out in `Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament, by appointing in his own lifetime, the third Guardian. He did this in a personal letter to Joel Bray Marangella, and again through Joel’s appointment as President of the embryonic Second International Bahá’í Council. The activation of the embryonic Council was announced in the Glad Tidings of October 1965, which action caused Joel to immediately become the active third Guardian, even though Mason lived for several more years.

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith teaches the unity of God and His Prophets, the unity of the human race, the independent investigation of the truth, elimination of all forms of prejudice, the fundamental agreement of science and religion, equal opportunities, rights, and privileges for both sexes, abolition of extremes of poverty and wealth, establishment of the need for an international script and language, universal education, a universal system of currency, weights, and measures, and promotion of the establishment of world peace.

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Prophecy and the Orthodox Bahá’í

Stars and Planets not Given for Divination, but for Spiritual Signs

In today’s world, there are many individuals revealing prophecy. The Western media has popularized many of these. Edgar Cayce is on one end of the spectrum, with some very famous astrologers on the other end. While many of them seem to have a fair degree of accuracy and others none at all, as Bahá’ís we know that real understandings of human nature, and views into the future of humanity, are given with undeviating accuracy from only one source. It is to the Prophets of God that we must look for true Divine Guidance.

We are not to prognosticate by the stars as in common astrology, for such is superstition.

The stars and planets, and heavenly events are given to show forth spiritual signs to man. So it is that the Prophets have had stars herald their advents in the sky.

Old Testament Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years

Mankind is not permitted to use natural events to peep into the future. Events such as how tea leaves form on the bottom of a teacup do not portent more than that gravity pulls ground tea leaves downward even in a liquid medium. Yet, natural creation has signs in it that allegorically refer to the Manifestations of God. Whenever the Manifestations of God (the Holy Prophets and Founders of the world’s major religions) have appeared, unusual events were seen in the natural order of things.

Qur’án 13:2 God is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.

God Speaks to Our Needs before We Need

God is a God of grace, and from time to time He sends His Prophets and Teachers to give solutions to man to serious problems that have arisen since the last Prophet’s appearance. Prophets are sent with the solution to the new conditions of mankind before mankind is even aware it needs the solution.

Old Testament Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

At the time when faith is dying out, God will come to the victory. One of the symbols of the Prophet who comes has been a “standard” or flag. He is seen as raising the flag of God’s rule and kingdom.

Old Testament Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

God Gives Sure Prophecy

God declares that He gives accurate prophecy. Unlike the astrologer, tarot reader, and the like, the Prophets of God give undeviatingly accurate answers and glimpses of the future.

Old Testament Hosea 5:9 . . . among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.

A Set Time

Every prophecy has a set time to happen. We know also that some are conditional. For instance, Jonah’s prophecy to Nineveh that it would be destroyed in 40 days was conditional on the city not repenting of its evil. Nineveh repented and the city was not destroyed. But either conditional or absolute prophecy has a set time for the event to occur if it is going to occur.

Qur’án 6:67 For every prophecy is a limit of time

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had an actual time of the day appointed.

Qur’án 11:81 (The Messengers) said: "O Lot! We are Messengers from thy Lord! By no means shall they reach thee! Now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): To her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: Is not the morning nigh?"

Prophets of a Universal Nature are to come from the Lineage of Abraham

A line of Prophets, including Moses, Christ, and Muhammad, and the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are descended from Abraham. We do not know enough about the lineage of the Buddha or Krishna to see if they came from that line. It does appear that they may have had some ancestral connection.

Old Testament Genesis 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Prophets will come to Destroy Evil, and Evil will Persecute the Prophets

This verse shows that there is a battle to be fought over evil personified. This evil represents our selfish desires. Each Prophet born from woman is the Seed sent to bruise the head of our selfishness, and in turn each suffers persecution and is bruised for our sakes.

Old Testament Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The Priestcraft and Leadership

Moses scattered the tribe of Levi (the priestly tribe) throughout the land of Israel. Later, these priestly tribe members had a great hand in the crucifixion of Christ. Moses writes of the Prophetic words of Israel when Israel blessed his twelve sons. Levi is declared to be self-willed and cruel, and in Assembly Levi will do dishonorable things. It appears to be a prophetic glimpse of the events that transpired at the Assembly of the Sanhedrin during the trial of Christ.

Old Testament Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

The tribe of Dan symbolized the opposition of political leadership against the future Messianic leader. Indeed, in some church traditions the “anti-Christ” is to be from the tribe of Dan. While not to be taken that literally, Dan comes to symbolize opposition to the Prophet and for this reason in the list of the tribes of Israel in the Book of Revelation, John leaves out the tribe of Dan and substitutes the tribe of Joseph.

Old Testament Genesis 49:16-18 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

It has always been a combination of Dan and Levi, of political leadership and the priests of the previous religion that have opposed the new Prophet and sought His death. `Abdu’l-Bahá, in a rare note of sarcastic humor, vilifies the priestcraft of Islam in this day.

“We regard fanaticism and zealotry as redounding to our credit and honor, and not content with this, we denounce one another and plot each other's ruin, and whenever we wish to put on a show of wisdom and learning, of virtue and godliness, we set about mocking and reviling this one and that. "The ideas of such a one," we say, "are wide of the mark, and so-and-so's behavior leaves much to be desired. The religious observances of Zayd are few and far between, and `Amr is not firm in his faith. So-and-so's opinions smack of Europe. Fundamentally, Blank thinks of nothing but his own name and fame. Last night when the congregation stood up to pray, the row was out of line, and it is not permissible to follow a different leader. No rich man has died this month, and nothing has been offered to charity in memory of the Prophet. The edifice of religion has crumbled, the foundations of faiths have been blown to the winds. The carpet of belief has been rolled up, the tokens of certitude blotted out; the whole world has fallen into error; when it comes to repelling tyranny all are soft and remiss. Days and months have passed away, and these villages and estates still belong to the same owners as they did last year. In this town there used to be seventy different governments functioning in good order, but the number has steadily decreased; there are only twenty-five left now, as a memento. It used to be that two hundred contradictory judgments were handed down by the same muftí in any one day, now we hardly get fifty. In those days there were crowds of people who were all brainsick with litigation, and now they rest in peace; today the plaintiff would be defeated and the defendant victorious, tomorrow the plaintiff won the case and the defendant lost it--but now this excellent practice has been abandoned too. What is this heathenish religion, this idolatrous kind of error! Alas for the Law, alas for the Faith, alas for all these calamities! O Brothers in the Faith! This is surely the end of the world! The Judgment is coming!"” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 56 – 57.

The Literal Interpretation Causes Divisions

The Words written as Scripture are the very Words that veiled these rebellious ones from accepting the successor. Each leap in successorship to the Prophet, or within the dispensation of the prophet has been opposed, and at times subverted, by those who take the Word of God and make every Word literal in meaning.

“. . . despite the firm exhortations and counsels of His Holiness, the Exalted One (the Báb) and His clear and conclusive warning;--"Beware, beware, lest the Nineteen Letters of the Living and that which hath been revealed in the Bayán veil thee!"” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 5.

These oppositions are the same as those of the Hands of the Cause, and later the Sans-Guardian Universal House of Justice - Particularly in the area of vain and feeble interpretations. Since the Hands had to interpret the Will and Testament in its use of the word “branch”, and the Sans-Guardian UHJ supported that interpretation when they themselves and the Hands themselves had no authority to interpret, their interpretations can only be described as feeble. There was one who truly had the authority to expound (Mason Remey), and that one was the very one they rejected.

“What deviation can be greater than calumniating the Center of the Covenant himself! . . . What deviation can be more complete than falsely accusing the loved ones of God! . . . What deviation can be more shameful than dispersing the gathering of the people of salvation! What deviation can be more infamous than the vain and feeble interpretations of the people of doubt!” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 7

The Spirit of the Law

Not only in Prophecy, but also in application of the physical laws of the Prophet, the spirit of the Law is more important than the letter of the Law. Why? Because the law is a symbol for the underlying spiritual meaning.

Old Testament Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Prophecy is Often Symbolic

While some prophecy is quite plain and literal in meaning, quite a lot of the prophetic utterances are symbolic in nature. Wormwood is mentioned in Revelation. It is a star thing that falls into the waters. Yet the Old Testament explains what the real meaning of the word “wormwood” is and gives us a glimpse of what the spiritual meaning of this prophecy indicates. Wormwood symbolizes injustice and unrighteousness. The waters in the Bible often represents the mixed nations of the world, the sea of nations. In Revelation, then, this star like thing falls into the sea of nations. This indicates that the nations become extremely unjust and unrighteous. It is a condition that happens before each new Prophet comes.

Old Testament Amos 5:7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth

The things in prophecy are often symbolic. It is only by looking into the symbols for the real reality that we can understand the meaning and applications of the Prophetic in the world.

“Wert thou to cleanse the mirror of thy heart from the dust of malice, thou wouldst apprehend the meaning of the symbolic terms revealed by the all-embracing Word of God made manifest in every Dispensation, and wouldst discover the mysteries of divine knowledge.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 44.

Bahá’u’lláh shows that Muslim prophecy is symbolic.

“Consider the eagerness with which certain peoples and nations have anticipated the return of Imám-Husayn, whose coming, after the appearance of the Qá'im, hath been prophesied, in days past, by the chosen ones of God, exalted be His glory. These holy ones have, moreover, announced that when He Who is the Day Spring of the manifold grace of God manifesteth Himself, all the Prophets and Messengers, including the Qá'im, will gather together beneath the shadow of the sacred Standard which the Promised One will raise. That hour is now come.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 12.

Here is a prophecy about Mount Carmel being the center of the revelation of God. As with almost all prophecy, there is a deeper spiritual meaning. What can the spiritual Mount Carmel or Mount of God, where the Throne of God resides, be but the human heart and soul. Of course it also speaks of the actual Mountain where the original Administrative Order was set up.

“Render thanks unto thy Lord, O Carmel. The fire of thy separation from Me was fast consuming thee, when the ocean of My presence surged before thy face, cheering thine eyes and those of all creation, and filling with delight all things visible and invisible. Rejoice, for God hath in this Day established upon thee His throne, hath made thee the dawning-place of His signs and the dayspring of the evidences of His Revelation.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4.

Prophecy May Contain a Double Meaning

Prophecy may not only be symbolic. It may contain a double meaning. In this particular prophecy the first meaning is the near event, the fall of the city. The second meaning is an allusion to the time of the end and what conditions will be like in the time we live in - when the preparations for the Kingdom of God on earth are taking place. A clearer picture of the rush hour traffic on a winter’s evening could not be better depicted by a person of the time of Nahum looking onto what he saw of the modern era.

Old Testament Nahum 2:3 – 4 . . . the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

This particular prophecy relates first to Jesus who literally entered the Temple area, and was circumcised, according to the Law, in the Temple. It also looks forward to He Who is the Desire of the Nations, Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Haggai 2:6 – 7 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Famine as a Lack of Revelation

Famine is symbolic of not having the word of God. In Revelation, we are told that there will be famine in various places before He comes.

Old Testament Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD

Prophecy Referring to Hearing and Seeing

This passage of the Old Testament is referred to by His Holiness Jesus Christ and used by Him as a reference to the people of His time. It also refers to the people of each Prophet’s day. It is spiritual sight and understanding that is alluded to.

Old Testament Isaiah 6:9 - 10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Hearing and seeing refer to hearing and understanding the Word. It also is stated that the Word can kill. Spiritually this means the people who hear it and fail to understand it, or remain spiritually dead, have been slain by the Word of God. They are deprived of the joys of eternal life.

Old Testament Hosea 6:5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth

References to Mountains and Ferocious Animals

In Scripture, “mountains” are often symbols for governments. So the Holy Mountain is the government established by the Prophet for His people, and the idea of ferocious animals getting along together is allegorical for warring peoples who hated each other coming together in unity and harmony under the banner of the Prophet. This particular prophecy is one that is applicable to every prophetic revelation, until one comes to the passage about the knowledge of God being so wide spread upon the earth. At that point, the prophecy can only refer to Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Isaiah 11:6 - 9 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 cockatrice' 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 government of God, which is the Mountain of God, will ultimately remove the veil that keeps the nations from belief.

Old Testament Isaiah 25:7 - 8 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah again restates this.

Old Testament Isaiah 65:24 - 25 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain, saith the LORD

Even most conservative Christian Scholars and Theologians admit that mountains in Old Testament prophecy often refer to various governments. Muhammad also speaks of a time when governments will be in violent commotion, and collapsing. The earth of human understanding will also be in a revolutionary change. However, this may also have a literal fulfillment with the earth actually shifting poles and the mountains being moved out of their place.

Qur’án 3:14 One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.

The Last Days

The Old Testament often refers not to the last Day, but the last Days. Many Bible scholars have argued that when it refers to “last Day” it refers to the Second coming of Christ, but when it refers to “last Days”, it is times before the second coming. Be that as it may, it appears more likely that it is plural since many prophets would come before the Day when mankind would be firmly united globally in the Kingdom of God on earth.

Old Testament Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

This keeping of the feast to God is a “typical” prophecy. A “type” is an event or activity or person that in a symbolic way represents a future fulfillment of an event, person or activity. A common type most clergy would recognize is the life of Joseph as typical of that of Christ. The author of Hebrews says that the pattern of the tabernacle and its utensils is typical of Christ and His mission. Here the keeping of the feast is typical of keeping the Covenant to recognize the next major Prophet after Moses. It refers to three “Feasts”; Christ, Muhammad, and finally the great Feast of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh.

Old Testament Exodus 23:14, 17 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Three items in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God.

The Day of God

The ear here represents a new understanding of all men in this day for things spiritual and things scientific. This new spiritual understanding that is being imparted makes it possible to hear and believe the new Message. Men in every age have physical ears but not all have spiritual understanding.

“Know thou that the ear of man hath been created that it may hearken unto the Divine Voice on this Day that hath been mentioned in all the Books, Scriptures, and Tablets.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 2.

Day of Darkness

If the people reject the Prophet at His coming then it is a Day of Darkness spiritually for them. Additionally, when the Prophet comes, much of the previous Revelations have been abandoned for forms and traditions without spiritual benefits.

Old Testament Amos 5:18 - 20 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

The Idea of Night and Day

The spiritual significance of night is a reference to the time when the Revelation of the Prophet has stopped, and the Day is when the Prophet is living among men, and afterward when the teachings are still fresh and uncorrupted by false understandings.

Old Testament Isaiah 21:11 - 12 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Muhammad shows that the time the Manifestation is with men is the Day; while after His passing it is night. He uses the real terms of day and night to signify this spiritual reality and even says these are signs or symbols for those who consider. The reason night comes with the passing of the Manifestation is that after He is gone there is nowhere to turn for guidance and interpretation from God. In the Bahá’í Era this is a Day that shall not be followed by night since Bahá’u’lláh had confirmed a Covenant and `Abdu’l-Bahá has made a Will and Testament in which unerring interpretation and guidance is guaranteed throughout the Bahá’í dispensation by means of an unbroken chain of Guardians.

Qur’án 13:3 He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider!

Again every Prophet, including Moses, was to bring the people out of the darkness of the night without Divine Guidance into the light of the Day of the Manifestation of God. They are also to remind the people of the Days of God. Here this means that the Prophet reminds the people of the Prophets who came before.

Qur’án 14:5 We sent Moses with Our signs (and the command). "Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness into light, and teach them to remember the Days of God." Verily in this there are Signs for such as are firmly patient and constant,- grateful and appreciative.

Spiritualization of the Sun and Moon

Sun and Moon can refer to the Priests and the outdated religion.

Old Testament Isaiah 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion

The meanings of sun and moon in Scripture have an allegorical meaning many times. One of those meanings refers to the Prophet Himself and His Revelation.

“And now, concerning His words--"The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give light, and the stars shall fall from heaven." By the terms "sun" and "moon," mentioned in the writings of the Prophets of God, is not meant solely the sun and moon of the visible universe. Nay rather, manifold are the meanings they have intended for these terms. In every instance they have attached to them a particular significance. Thus, by the "sun" in one sense is meant those Suns of Truth Who rise from the dayspring of ancient glory, and fill the world with a liberal effusion of grace from on high.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 22.

When we see the references in Scripture to the sun being darkened or the moon being obscured, we can be sure it has an allegorical meaning.

“Hence, it is clear and manifest that by the words "the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven" is intended the waywardness of the divines, and the annulment of laws firmly established by divine Revelation, all of which, in symbolic language, have been foreshadowed by the Manifestation of God.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 27.

Moon’s Light Shadowed and Stars Fall

As with every revelation, the time when Muhammad came saw the ordinances of the Christian Faith corrupted, its doctrines obscured, and its Priest craft corrupted. Then came the glory of the new Manifestation of God, Muhammad, and figuratively the souls of mankind quake and judgment falls by whether they believe or reject His Truth. Figuratively the mountains (nations) and rocks (political parties and units found in those governments) are shown as things that these rejecters call upon to protect them from their errors instead of the Manifestation of God.

New Testament Revelation 6:12 - 17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Prophecy of Stars Falling from Heaven

Bahá’u’lláh explains the allegorical meaning of the stars that fall from heaven.

“O concourse of bishops! Ye are the stars of the heaven of My knowledge. My mercy desireth not that ye should fall upon the earth. My justice, however, declareth: `This is that which the Son hath decreed” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 14.

Peter Indicates That the Sun and Moon Were Darkened Before Christ Assumed His Ministry

We, in the West, often think of this symbol as relating to the time when the world “ends”. However, Peter used it to refer to the time when the Jewish world ended. Peter speaks of the Prophet Joel and quotes it to show that the prophecy was already fulfilled by means of the coming of Christ. This being the case, it is obvious that the Prophecy is symbolic and not literal.

New Testament Acts 2:14 - 21 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Sun and Moon Darkened at Coming of Bahá’u’lláh

The sun and moon again were symbolically darkened with the advent of Bahá’u’lláh. With that advent, all the lights of the previous religion were again ended and a new one begun.

“The darkening of the sun, moon, and stars is purely symbolic, and refers to the advent of the Manifestation of God, which has already taken place.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Antipodes, pp. 233 – 234.

Prophecy and the Day-Year

In prophecy often the day equals a year of real time. It is important to understand this concept to know what year some prophecies are speaking about.

Old Testament Ezekiel 4:5 - 6 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

The Trumpet

The first Trumpet was the Báb, the blast of that Trumpet being the ending of the Islamic Law and the establishment of the Bábi Law. With the shedding of the veil by the first Bábi woman Apostle Tahirih, the old heaven of the Islamic religion and the old earth of human understanding built up during the Islamic Revelation were ended. Then the second Blast was that of Bahá’u’lláh, The Glory of God. It is again the Day of Judgment for all on earth!

Qur’án 39:68 - 69 The Trumpet will (just) be sounded, when all that are in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except such as it will please God (to exempt). Then will a second one be sounded, when, behold, they will be standing and looking on! And the Earth will shine with the Glory of its Lord: the Record (of Deeds) will be placed (open); the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward and a just decision pronounced between them; and they will not be wronged (in the least).

Bahá’u’lláh is the trumpet that raises the spiritually dead to new life.

“We have chosen thee to be our most mighty Trumpet, whose blast is to signalize the resurrection of all mankind.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 31.

Also called the Pen, Bahá’u’lláh makes it clear that He now is the Trumpet of God for this day.

“All praise be to Thee for having enabled me to hearken to Thy call, for having honoured me with Thy footsteps, and for having quickened my soul through the vitalizing fragrance of Thy Day and the shrilling voice of Thy Pen, a voice Thou didst ordain as Thy trumpet-call amidst Thy people.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 3.

John the Baptist

While many Bahá’ís refer this passage to the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and indeed Shoghi Effendi compares the Báb to John in an analogy, nevertheless `Abdu’l-Bahá (concerning this passage and also Malachi 4:5 as quoted in the Gospel of John) speaks, in Some Answered Questions, Section 33, The Return Spoken of by the Prophets, that it refers to the return of Elijah’s spiritual attributes in John the Baptist. So the primary reference must be to John and Christ.

Old Testament Malachi 3:1 - 3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

`Abdu’l-Bahá specifically interprets this passage as a reference to John the Baptist (when interpreting the Gospel of John which refers to this passage, Some Answered Question, Section 33, The Return Spoken of By the Prophets).

Old Testament Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD

John the Baptist is predicted also in Isaiah.

New Testament Matthew 3:1 - 3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Jesus references Malachi to show that John the Baptist was prophesied in the Old Testament. John is the spiritual fulfillment of the return of Elijah. It is not literally Elijah that comes back, but that the mission and attributes that were found in Elijah will be found in John.

New Testament Matthew 17:10 - 13 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

John was not Elijah, but would be in a like power and mission as Elijah and had the attributes that Elijah possessed.

New Testament Luke 1:17 - 27 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

John even acknowledges he is not the Prophet Elijah (i.e., the reincarnation of Elijah), nor the Christ. He also prophesied the coming of the Messiah Jesus.

New Testament John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

John’s mission was to prepare the path so that Christ could survive long enough to complete His mission. The idea of mountains and hills are symbolic of greater and lesser governments, while valleys are areas of chaos in the world.

New Testament Luke 3:2 – 6 ... the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Christ

From the tribe of Judah comes the royal line of David that ends with Christ. After that Muhammad interrupts this literal Jewish lineage for the spiritual one.

Old Testament Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The time when there were no prophets in Israel until the coming of John and Jesus is referred to by Christian scholars as the inter-testament period. From the last minor prophet of the Old Testament until the coming of Jesus was approximately 490 years. This tallies with the number of Jubilees called “Sabbaths” missed that the children of Israel ignored. There were 490 Jubilees that had been missed.

Old Testament Leviticus 26:33 - 35 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

The verse is both an immediate prophecy of a major Prophet to come from Israel which is Jesus, and also it speaks not only of raising from Israel, but also from the brethren of Israel, and speaks of Muhammad who came from the Semitic tribes of Arabia from the brethren of Israel the Ishmaelite.

Old Testament Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Jesus is also called a Nazerite in a prophetic way in the New Testament. In the New Testament Nazerite refers to the town of Nazareth, while in the Old Testament it refers to a type of holy vow. It is obvious that the writers of the New Testament viewed the Scriptures in a very non-literal way.

Old Testament Judges 13:5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb.

God further enlarges this Covenant with David to include not only Solomon who is spoken of directly in the passage, but also the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is alluded to in the same verses, Solomon being the type or representative of the Messiah.

Old Testament First Chronicles 17:11 - 14 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

This Psalm foretells the crucifixion and triumph of Christ. It is this Psalm that Jesus begins to quote on the cross, not as a sign of weakness but to point out one time more in His death that from the Scriptures even this was foretold.

Old Testament Psalms 22:1, 6 – 8, 14 - 18 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? . . . But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. . . I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Another Psalm reveals the torment of Christ.

Old Testament Psalms 69:20 - 21 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The Old Testament speaks to the fact the Christ would speak of spiritual things in parable.

Old Testament Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old

Christ quotes this verse of David. Christ says David is speaking about Him. Christ shows that if the Jews want to be literal He can out literal them. He asks how can I be the son of David, when David says I am his Lord?

Old Testament Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Christ is the first from Moses to again be a Prophet to the entire world, and not just primarily to Israel (with the exception of the minor prophet Jonah). Melchizedek is not some mystical character, but a Gentile Priest of the Most High God who blessed the Prophet Abraham. He becomes a type or representation of Christ as a Priest of the Gentile nations.

Old Testament Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Bahá’u’lláh confirms the virgin birth of Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of Christ is first given as a physical sign to the king, but a spiritual sign in the future to Judah.

Old Testament Isaiah 7:14 - 16 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Christ was a snare and a reason why Israel stumbled and fell from the grace of God. Isaiah refers in his time to the word of the Lord coming through him, but applies it to a future time when the Messiah Jesus will come.

Old Testament Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a sign and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

The actual location of Jesus’ appearance, Galilee, is also mentioned in the Old Testament.

Old Testament Isaiah 9:1 – 2 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Christians always refer this prophecy to Christ. It also has been used by Bahá’ís to refer to Bahá’u’lláh and His son `Abdu’l-Bahá. `Abdu’l-Bahá, Himself, states that it refers to Bahá’u’lláh, though in a lesser degree has some reference to Jesus, and that it is not completely fulfilled in Christ but is completely fulfilled in Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Isaiah 11:1 - 2 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

The Gospel shows that this passage refers to Jesus.

Old Testament Isaiah 42:1 - 3 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Isaiah predicts Christ as the servant of God, and a light to the gentiles.

Old Testament Isaiah 49:5 - 7 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

The pre-cross tortures of Christ are mentioned.

Old Testament Isaiah 50:5 - 6 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

This is a lengthy reference to Christ, His sufferings and their effect.

Old Testament Isaiah 52:13 – 15, 53:1 - 12 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Christ, being a Jew, called nations outside the Mosaic world.

Old Testament Isaiah 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Christ refers Himself to this very passage reading it in a synagogue.

Old Testament Isaiah 61:1 - 2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD

Quoted in the New Testament as referring to Christ, when Jesus and His parents went and then came back from Egypt, it refers to the nation of Israel. But since Christ is the King of Israel, it would therefore refer to Him as the Head of Israel.

Old Testament Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Literally fulfilled, Jesus was struck on the cheek with the rod, was born in Bethlehem, and was the Ruler of Israel, though they knew it not.

Old Testament Micah 5:1 – 2 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

This prophecy directly relates to Christ.

Old Testament Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

This is an allusion to the price paid to Judas and what Judas ultimately did with the blood money, and what those in the Temple did with the money that Judas threw back in the Temple, namely the purchase of the potter’s field.

Old Testament Zechariah 11:12 - 13 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

The virgin birth and the idea that a manifestation of God’s attributes would be found in this particular Prophet are made clear.

New Testament Matthew 1:22 - 23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is predicted.

New Testament Matthew 2:3 - 6 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

The journey to Egypt and from Egypt back to Nazareth is predicted.

New Testament Matthew 2:14 - 15 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The city of his raising becomes Nazareth and is predicted by a play on words with the similar sounding Nazrite who takes the vows of Samson.

New Testament Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

John the Baptist predicts Jesus’ mission.

New Testament Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire

Christ quoted Isaiah to say that He had come in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

New Testament Luke 4:17 - 21 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Christ was predicted to come to the Gentile lands through Galilee.

New Testament Matthew 4:13 - 16 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Christ predicts that some who He was speaking to would not die until they saw Him in His Kingdom. Since the Kingdom of Christ is the Church and the believers are the church, it would seem that Christ was alluding to the fact that the Church after His death would be established and those standing before Him at the time of this statement would live to see the time when the Church would spread His teachings.

New Testament Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom

Christ fulfills the Prophecy of Zechariah.

New Testament Matthew 21:2 - 7 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Again:

New Testament John 12:14 - 16 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Christ Himself acknowledged that He was the King of the Jews.

New Testament Mark 15:2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

Again:

New Testament Luke 23:1 – 3 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Again:

New Testament John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Mary is told that Jesus would be a King of Israel. It might also be noted that Jesus’ father is referred to here as David.

New Testament 1:30 - 32 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David

Jesus brings light to the non-Jewish nations.

New Testament Luke 2:25 - 32 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Jesus prophesied to die by martyrdom.

New Testament Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he Philip) read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth

Jude speaks of Enoch, quoting him, that he spoke of the coming of Christ. The first coming of Christ was also a judgment day.

New Testament Jude 1:14 - 15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

When the Apostles asked Christ when He would come again, He answered giving signs.

“Afterwards, the companions and disciples of Jesus asked Him concerning those signs that must needs signalize the return of His manifestation. When, they asked, shall these things be? Several times they questioned that peerless Beauty, and, every time He made reply, He set forth a special sign that should herald the advent of the promised Dispensation. To this testify the records of the four Gospels.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 15.

Events at the Cross Predicted

The death of Christ on the cross is predicted by Psalms, as is the parting of his garments by the role of dice.

New Testament Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Prophecy of Resurrection Spiritual

Job makes a startling declaration that after his own physical death (skin destroyed) shall come a Redeemer on earth, and that Job shall see it even though dead, in his flesh. It is important that Job makes the distinction between the skin that is destroyed, which is his body, and the flesh in which he will see this future event. One can think only of Paul’s very spiritual explanation of the resurrection when he states there are bodies physical (terrestrial) and bodies spiritual (heavenly) or bodies corruptible, and a spiritual body incorruptible. It is this spiritual body to which Job alludes; in it he shall not die and will see that day. It can be the only meaning, as Job in other places states that after physical death there is no coming back to the physical body.

Old Testament 19:25 – 27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold

Indeed, the resurrection as prophesied in the Old Testament refers to the believers themselves and is spoken of as being done in three days. Commentators have referred this passage as speaking of Christ, but the passage really is speaking of the believers. Hence, `Abdu’l-Bahá’s explanation of the resurrection of Christ as being a metaphor of the revival of His teachings, which for three days after His crucifixion had been forgotten, in the fear and dismay of the disciples, fits well with Hosea having the resurrection really refer to the believers being revived or spiritually made alive.

Old Testament Hosea 6:1 - 2 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

Paul speaks of this verse as referring to Christ and the effect of His death on the Church. Where Christ’s death has ransomed or freed the believers from spiritual death, the grave in which the Jewish nation had been cast was not to hold the believers down, rather through Christ they would attain to eternal life.

Old Testament Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction

The Ascension Into Heaven Not Unique To Christ

Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, a form of ascension. It is a spiritual allegory that explains the mission of Elijah not dying but living on in Elisha.

Old Testament 2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Called an angel, he is also referred to as a man of God. This man of God lit a fire on an altar and then ascended up to heaven in the flames. In this case it appears to be another visionary experience.

Old Testament Judges 13:20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

Persecution of Christians Predicted

Christ predicts accurately that His followers would first be persecuted by the Jewish Council and synagogues and later by Governors and Kings as the Gospel of Christ was carried to the Gentile nations.

New Testament Matthew 10:17 - 18 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

John prophecies that 10 days (or 10 years) of persecution of a most violent sort would occur to the Christians. This is exactly what happened. The worst persecutions of the Roman Empire lasted for 10 years under the Emperor.

New Testament Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The Destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. Predicted

Jesus’ prediction that the Jewish temple will be destroyed was literally fulfilled in 70 A.D.

New Testament Matthew 24:1 – 2 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Jesus warns that the Romans will make a pig sacrifice on the altar of the Temple and when this happens the Christians should flee Jerusalem. General Titus is the one who performed this sacrilege. Shortly after that, the Jewish dispersion began. The Christians fled to the mountains of Judea and were for the most part protected. `Abdu’l-Bahá also explains this passage using it to show where to go in the Book of Daniel to understand the spiritual import of the words. While it had a literal fulfillment under Titus there was a second and more important fulfillment explained by `Abdu’l-Bahá which I urge the reader to look up.

New Testament Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains

Again on this subject:

New Testament Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains

Jesus says all the buildings of the Temple would be destroyed.

New Testament Mark 13:1 - 2 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Again:

New Testament Luke 21:5 – 6 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

This prophecy was fulfilled by the destruction of the Temple, which represented the government of the Jewish and Davidic dispensation. At that point the church of Christ became the government of God during the Christian dispensation. Hence some who heard Christ speak these words would be alive when the kingdom of God, the church, would be firmly established.

New Testament Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Not only are the Christians to watch out for the pig sacrifice, but also when the embankment or dirt ramp is built and Jerusalem surrounded, then Jesus says the Romans will then level the city. Christians who saw the Romans building the embankment and surrounding the city took the Romans at their word of amnesty to any who would leave the city immediately and left and headed for the mountains.

New Testament Luke 19:41 - 44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Again:

New Testament Luke 21:20 - 22 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Prophecy of the Dispersion of the Jews

Hosea refers to the dispersion among the nations of Israel.

Old Testament Hosea 9:17 My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Times of the Gentiles

Christ mentions the time of the Gentiles. It is the period during which the Jews will be banished from Israel. When that time is completed Jerusalem will see a return of the Jews.

New Testament Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Corruption of the Christian Religion Predicted

Paul prophesied that unspiritual men would eventually corrupt the leadership of the Christian Faith.

New Testament Acts 20:29 - 30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

The latter times speaks of the times prior to the coming of the next Prophet, Muhammad. From within the body of believers these leaders will forbid to marry. At least one major Christian denomination’s leadership comes to mind on this. Another Protestant offshoot may be known by some which requires abstention from meat. The seducing spirits and doctrines of demons are not literal. It is a way of personifying the selfish doctrines to promote their power and leadership and their own imaginations seducing them into their errors.

New Testament 1^st Timothy 4:1 - 3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Prior to Muhammad’s coming these conditions will be found, and indeed, were found to be the case.

New Testament 2^nd Timothy 3:1 - 9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

Peter echoes this theme.

New Testament 2^nd Peter 1:21 – 2:3 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Within the church will arise a leadership that denies that Christ will again come.

New Testament 2^nd Peter 3:3 - 4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Jude speaks of the same kind of people corrupting the believers. He does not speak of demons seducing them, but rather that their lusts and selfish desires lead them to do these ungodly things.

New Testament Jude 1:17 - 19 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Prophecy of the Fall of the Roman Empire

Part of this prediction of the fall of Babylon is used in the New Testament word for word in Revelation to speak of the fall of the Roman Empire, which finally completely fell after the revelation of Muhammad.

Old Testament Isaiah 21:9 Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Again:

New Testament Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Again:

New Testament Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Prophecy Concerning the Name of God

In Exodus God reveals His Name as I AM THAT I AM, which has the meaning of being self-existent, or a Causeless Cause. God states that that is His Name forever. If taken literally it allows for no other name under heaven to be used but that name. However God also states His Name to be Jealous. It is clear that in each Dispensation God chooses an attribute that needs to be understood and the Prophet reveals that name. In the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh the Most Great Name of God is revealed.

Old Testament Exodus 3:13 - 15 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

New Heavens and New Earth

With the coming of each Prophet Bahá’u’lláh explains that the old heaven of the past religion and its worship forms and laws passes away or is rolled up, and a new religious system, a new heaven is rolled out. In like manner, He explains that the earth of human understanding is replaced, the old understanding is destroyed and a new understanding of God’s purposes is laid down. In the Day of Bahá’u’lláh the destruction of the old order of beliefs and prejudices will be rapidly destroyed and a new order laid out in its stead.

New Testament 2^nd Peter 3:10 - 13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Muhammad prophecies that a new religion will come and affect the earth of human understanding. This will happen when the new Day of the new Prophet appears.

Qur’án 14:47 - 48 Never think that God would fail his apostles in His promise: for God is Exalted in power, - the Lord of Retribution. One day the earth will be changed to a different earth, and so will be the heavens, and (men) will be marshalled forth, before God, the One, the Irresistible

Prophecy of the Judgment Day

Job states evil men will be repaid after their death. The moment of death is their individual judgment day, and it also spiritually may refer to the Day of Resurrection when the new Prophet comes, and the evil men of His day who resist Him and the Word of God are judged.

Old Testament Job 21:30 - 31 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

The Land to Which the Prophets Came

While never literally fulfilled as it relates to the Jewish people, it was literally fulfilled as it relates to Muhammad and Islam, which is the fulfillment of Judaism and Christianity. Further in a very real and literal sense this same geographic area is the land in which the Prophets came.

Old Testament Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates

Muhammad

Christ is symbolized at times as Joseph or Joseph-like. The overrunning of the branches of Joseph over the wall symbolizes the teachings of Christ overspreading not just the religion of Moses but to the whole world. But in a final look Joseph most accurately represents Muhammad as well. Since the Muhammadan revelation overspread all of the geographic area of Moses, and far spread out to the promised geographic area of Abraham’s seed, and it was Muhammad who as a Semite from Arabia was separate from His brothers the Jewish Semites.

Old Testament Genesis 49:22, 24, 26 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Moses speaks here in an allusion to Himself (Sinai), Christ (Seir), and Muhammad (Paran). Moses is obviously associated with Mount Sinai, and Seir is upon study a Mount associated with Christ, while Mount Para is associated with Muhammad and contains a form of his name – Praise.

Old Testament Deuteronomy 33:1 - 2 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

Verses 1-4 of this Psalm speak of Muhammad who in His dispensation caused great and small governments to yield to the law of God and practice justice. The mountains mentioned in the verse are symbolic of governments. Then in verse 5 – 7, Muhammad is again alluded to and the idea that Islam would bring peace to the nations under it until the coming of the Báb. Here the idea that until the moon (crescent moon is the symbol of Islam) is no more, or in other words, until Islam is no more, because the Báb and the new renewal of religion has come. In verse 8 – 11 the Arabian or Islamic Empire is prophesied. Indeed, the boundaries outlined here are those of that empire. Verses 12 – 14 indicate the nature of the main laws that Muhammad would give, including the idea of alms, the helping of the widow and orphan etc. Verse 15 indicates that Muhammad will not be martyred but will live out His life. And verse 15 and 17 give the name of this prophet, as Muhammad in Arabic is a form of the word “Praise”.

Old Testament Psalms 72:1 - 17 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Here is another prophecy of Muhammad.

Old Testament Psalms 78:40 - 41 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

These verses refer to Muhammad who fled Mecca to be welcomed in Medina from the sword of the polytheistic Meccans.

Old Testament Isaiah 21:13 - 15 The burden upon Arabia. . . The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

Christ and Muhammad are spoken of here. The land and its borders are the religion of the Prophet. That the walls of the religion are salvation, refers to the main mission of Christ. The gates to the city are Praise - Praise is the meaning of Muhammad, and it was Muhammad who established the twelve Imams (gates).

Old Testament Isaiah 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Again, Muhammad is Arabic and is a derivative of the word Praise, just as is the Hebrew word Judah. This prophetic word then shows where He came from, Arabia, is Teman, and Paran is a Mountain in the Arabian Peninsula. Finally there is a prophetic play on His name as Praise.

Old Testament Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

While this prophecy has been used to refer to Christ and indeed can refer to any of the Prophets after Him, the primary meaning must be a reference to Muhammad. It is the name that is found in the greatest population of gentiles, and while Muhammad means Praise, the Muhammadan greeting and call to prayer contain the phrase Allah-u-Akbar or God is Great.

Old Testament Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Christ prophecies the next Prophet Muhammad by declaring that the Christian gospel would not be carried through every city in Israel before the coming of the next Prophet. Muhammad came around 620 A.D. By that time still not every city in Israel had been evangelized.

New Testament Matthew 10:22 - 23 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The Tribulation took place prior to the coming of Muhammad. Spiritually the Word had become darkened by those Priests who taught it, those Priests being like stars in the heaven of Christian thought fell from the truth of heaven, then the star that always appears in heaven to literally foretell the coming of the next Prophet came, and Muhammad appeared upon the horizon of Arabia. It also applies to the coming of any Manifestation, and so also applies to the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

New Testament Matthew 24:29 - 31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Again:

New Testament Mark 13:24 - 27 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Muhammad is referred to as is the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh says these signs come with each Prophet. I believe that it is better suited to Muhammad in this case because of the final passage which alludes to the fact that the coming of the Son of Man (Muhammad) would indicate that the final redemption through the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh would be next (draweth nigh). Muhammad always declared, “I am a man like you”. So Muhammad is the son of Man, while Bahá’u’lláh is known as the Father.

New Testament Luke 21:27 - 28 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Muhammad is the “paraclete”, a term that simply means comforter or helper. The words of Jesus concerning this comforter or helper have been misconstrued by the Christian Fathers. While Christ describes this Helper as the Holy Spirit, He does not refer to Him as a Spirit when He comes in the future. There is a Holy Spirit from God, and there is a Holy Spirit, a Personage who comes to fulfill Christ’s Mission, just as Christ came to fulfill Moses’. However, the actual reference is a prophecy referring to an actual Person to come in the future. The next Prophet is Muhammad. Jesus, speaking of the station of the Helper, refers to Him as an equal, and states that the Apostles know Him because He lives with them. In other words, He and Christ will be the same.

New Testament John 14:16 - 18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

This Holy Spirit, the Personage, would be sent by God, would come with the same authority granted Christ, and by means of the Qur’án would bring to remembrance the teachings of Christ.

New Testament John 14:25 - 29 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Again:

New Testament John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

Again Christ states this Person will reveal things to come and will testify of Christ. All this Muhammad indeed accomplished.

New Testament John 16:7 - 16 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Muhammad was the new name that no one knows which the believers who were to be faithful were to receive. Allegorically and symbolically it is a white stone with the name written on it.

New Testament Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Again the new name is mentioned. So while in the Christian dispensation there was no other name under heaven by which one could attain salvation, John shows that a new name will come into play in the next dispensation, and that name was Muhammad.

New Testament Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The two witnesses are Muhammad and Ali. The times they prophesy is the length of their dispensation, which is 1260 years, each day being equal to a year. The whole time from the beginning of the Muslim calendar until the coming of the Báb was literally 1260 years.

New Testament Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

The woman is the religion of God. The Child is Muhammad. Muhammad’s government indeed did rule the nations with an iron rule, the Child left the earth to the throne of God. The religion of God fled into the wilderness, that is, almost disappeared for 1260 days, each day a year, or 1260 years.

New Testament Revelation 12:5 - 6 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

These two witnesses, Muhammad and Ali, will die. Their teachings will almost be destroyed, since the religion they establish will become like a dead body, but not allowed to be ended. But after three and one half days (which is 3½ years, which in days is 1260 days by the Muslim lunar calendar, and 1260 days are 1260 years), or 1260 years, their mission will be revived in the persons of the Báb and Quddus, His major disciple and leader. The beast is the Umayyad Dynasty, which did all in its power to destroy every living descendant of Muhammad and Ali, and almost destroyed Islam. Both the Báb and Quddus were martyred and called up to heaven. The day the Báb was killed, the city He was murdered in suffered an earthquake which destroyed a tenth of the city and killed around 7,000 to 10,000 people.

New Testament Revelation 11:7 - 13 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 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. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Since the Christian clergy took the references to the sun and moon literally being darkened, they failed to recognize the symbolic import and so failed to recognize Muhammad.

“Consider now, had the people of the Gospel recognized the meaning of the symbolic terms "sun" and "moon," had they sought, unlike the froward and perverse, enlightenment from Him Who is the Revealer of divine knowledge, they would have surely comprehended the purpose of these terms, and would not have become afflicted and oppressed by the darkness of their selfish desires.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 27.

Prophecy of the Prevalence of Monotheism in the Last Days

By the time of the Revelation of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, the prevalence of monotheism will be the condition in Israel and in the middle east, the then known world of this prophecy.

Old Testament Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Prophecy of the Dispersion of the Jews to End

Bahá’u’lláh is “The Lord Our Righteousness”. Had this passage referred to Jesus, as some believe, it should read the Lord Our Savior. In addition, the Jews did not live in safety in their own land, but were subjects of the Roman occupation. The end of the final Jewish dispersion is alluded to in these verses.

Old Testament Jeremiah 23:5 – 8 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

This Branch is not Jesus, as many believe, but Bahá’u’lláh. The prophecy is in the throes of being completed, and is in its uncompleted form still more true of Bahá’u’lláh than of Christ. Additionally, it speaks of the continuing Guardianship, as after the coming of Bahá’u’lláh the Lord of Righteousness, or Justice, would be the Center of the Covenant `Abdu’l-Bahá, and after Him, an unbroken series of Guardians until the next Prophet. Hence, the Throne of David i.e., of Bahá’u’lláh, would never lack a man to sit upon it. Every Dispensation is referred to in its time as the House of Israel; Christians in the Day of Christ, Muslims in Muhammad’s Day, and now Bahá’ís are the House of Israel.

Old Testament Jeremiah 33:15 – 16 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel

God will cleanse the Jewish people from any guilt associated with the nation of Israel for the destruction of their Messiah. It refers to verses in the New Testament where the Jews, before the crucifixion, declared to Pilate that the blood of Jesus should be on them and on their children if they were incorrect in their judgment that he was a false prophet.

Old Testament Joel 3:21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.

From the date of the Báb’s declaration of Prophethood, until today, the dispersion of the Jewish people has ended, and the gathering together of that people begun.

Old Testament Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

The Báb

The Báb is the Gate from Heaven by which, if we believe, we truly can ascend. Unbelievers used these very words - that those who believed in Him were either drunk or the victims of witchcraft and magic spells.

Qur’án 15:14 - 15 Even if We opened out to them a Gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein, They would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery."

Bahá’u’lláh, quoting this passage of Scripture, maintains that it has been fulfilled in both the Day of the Báb, and in His Own Day.

“As to the words--"Immediately after the oppression of those days"--they refer to the time when men shall become oppressed and afflicted, the time when the lingering traces of the Sun of Truth and the fruit of the Tree of knowledge and wisdom will have vanished from the midst of men, when the reins of mankind will have fallen into the grasp of the foolish and ignorant, when the portals of divine unity and understanding--the essential and highest purpose in creation--will have been closed, when certain knowledge will have given way to idle fancy, and corruption will have usurped the station of righteousness. Such a condition as this is witnessed in this day when the reins of every community have fallen into the grasp of foolish leaders, who lead after their own whims and desire.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 19.

Prophets come only after such prophecies occur, and this has happened over and over again with each Prophet’s dispensation.

“What "oppression" is greater than that which hath been recounted? What "oppression" is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it? For opinions have sorely differed, and the ways unto the attainment of God have multiplied. This "oppression" is the essential feature of every Revelation. Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs follow the darkness of the night of error. For this reason, in all chronicles and traditions reference hath been made unto these things, namely that iniquity shall cover the surface of the earth and darkness shall envelop mankind. As the traditions referred to are well known, and as the purpose of this servant is to be brief, He will refrain from quoting the text of these traditions.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 21.

Because Christians took the signs of the darkening of the sun and moon literally, and did not understand the spiritual meaning, they not only failed to recognize Muhammad, but now are losing sight of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

“They still have not awakened to perceive that all the signs foretold have been made manifest, that the promised Sun hath risen above the horizon of divine Revelation, and that the "sun" and "moon" of the teachings, the laws, and learning of a former Dispensation have darkened and set.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 27 – 28.

The Báb is clearly foretold in Islamic Prophecy.

“Consider, that even the year in which that Quintessence of Light is to be made manifest hath been specifically recorded in the traditions, yet they still remain unmindful, nor do they for one moment cease to pursue their selfish desires. According to the tradition, Mufaddál asked Sádiq saying: "What of the sign of His manifestation, O my master?" He made reply: "In the year sixty (1260 A.H., 1844 A.D.), His Cause shall be made manifest, and His Name shall be proclaimed."” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 162.

The Báb was declaring that His Book, The Bayan, was being dictated to Him, as it were, by Bahá’u’lláh.

“He claimed to be the medium of grace from His Highness the Lord of the Age (upon Him be peace); but afterwards it became known and evident that His meaning was the Gatehood [Bábíyyat] of another city and the mediumship of the graces of another Person Whose qualities and attributes were contained in His books and treatises.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, A Traveler's Narrative, p. 6 – 7.

The Báb is referred to by `Abdu’l-Bahá as Emmanuel. We may then conclude that the Prophecy of Emanuel in the Old Testament refers both to Jesus Christ, and the Báb. This, like the references to the Throne of David, ought not to confuse Bahá’ís. In both cases, Bahá’u’lláh has confirmed that what is true of one Manifestation, or is applied to one, can equally be applied to all. Christ, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh all sat on the Throne of David, and all were “God with Us,” which is the meaning of Emmanuel.

“Emmanuel was indeed the Herald of the Second Coming of Christ, and a Summoner to the pathway of the Kingdom.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 64.

`Abdu’l-Bahá explains the Biblical Prophecy of Revelation 11:3 – 11 as it relates to Muhammad and Ali and the resurrection of Their Mission in the persons of the Báb and Quddus.

“"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three-score days, clothed in sackcloth." These two witnesses are Muhammad the Messenger of God, and `Alí, son of Abú Tálib... The commands of these two witnesses were to be performed for twelve hundred and sixty days, each day signifying a year. Now, Muhammad was the root, and `Alí the branch, like Moses and Joshua. It is said they "are clothed in sackcloth," meaning that they, apparently, were to be clothed in old raiment, not in new raiment; in other words, in the beginning they would possess no splendor in the eyes of the people, nor would their Cause appear new; for Muhammad's spiritual Law corresponds to that of Christ in the Gospel, and most of His laws relating to material things correspond to those of the Pentateuch. This is the meaning of the old raiment.

Then it is said: "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." These two souls are likened to olive trees because at that time all lamps were lighted by olive oil. The meaning is two persons from whom that spirit of the wisdom of God, which is the cause of the illumination of the world, appears...

Then it is said: "They are standing before God," meaning that they are standing in the service of God, and educating the creatures of God, such as the barbarous nomad Arab tribes of the Arabian peninsula, whom they educated in such a way that in those days they reached the highest degree of civilization, and their fame and renown became worldwide...

Afterward it is said: "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy," meaning that in that cycle they would be like kings. The law and teachings of Muhammad, and the explanations and commentaries of `Alí, are a heavenly bounty; if they wish to give this bounty, they have power to do so. If they do not wish it, the rain will not fall: in this connection rain stands for bounty...

"The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them": this beast means the Umayyads who attacked them from the pit of error, and who rose against the religion of Muhammad and against the reality of `Alí--in other words, the love of God.

It is said, "The beast made war against these two witnesses"2--that is to say, a spiritual war, meaning that the beast would act in entire opposition to the teachings, customs and institutions 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 God. 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." "Their bodies" means the Religion of God, 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 God and the divine teachings first disappeared, and a body without spirit remained. "Their bodies" represents the Religion of God, 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."

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'án, the nations, tribes and peoples would look at their bodies--that is to say, that they would make a spectacle of the Religion of God: though they would not act in accordance with it, still, they would not suffer their bodies--meaning the Religion of God--to be put in the grave. That is to say, that in appearance they would cling to the Religion of God 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...

"And after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that saw them." 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 Muhammad established and `Alí 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 God had been changed into materiality, and virtues into vices; the love of God 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 Báb and the devotion of Jináb-i-Quddús.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 48 – 54.

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Some Prophecies of the Báb

Shoghi Effendi lists some of the prophecies of the Báb.

“Already in Shíráz, at the earliest stage of His ministry, He had revealed what Bahá'u'lláh has characterized as "the first, the greatest, and mightiest of all books" in the Bábí Dispensation, the celebrated commentary on the Súrah of Joseph, entitled the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá, whose fundamental purpose was to forecast what the true Joseph (Bahá'u'lláh) would, in a succeeding Dispensation, endure at the hands of one who was at once His arch-enemy and blood brother. This work, comprising above nine thousand three hundred verses, and divided into one hundred and eleven chapters, each chapter a commentary on one verse of the above-mentioned Súrah, opens with the Báb's clarion-call and dire warnings addressed to the "concourse of kings and of the sons of kings;" forecasts the doom of Muhammad Sháh; commands his Grand Vizir, Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, to abdicate his authority; admonishes the entire Muslim ecclesiastical order; cautions more specifically the members of the Shí'ah community; extols the virtues, and anticipates the coming, of Bahá'u'lláh, the "Remnant of God," the "Most Great Master;" and proclaims, in unequivocal language, the independence and universality of the Bábí Revelation, unveils its import, and affirms the inevitable triumph of its Author. It, moreover, directs the "people of the West" to "issue forth from your cities and aid the Cause of God;" warns the peoples of the earth of the "terrible, the most grievous vengeance of God;" threatens the whole Islámic world with "the Most Great Fire" were they to turn aside from the newly-revealed Law; foreshadows the Author's martyrdom; eulogizes the high station ordained for the people of Bahá, the "Companions of the crimson-colored ruby Ark;" prophesies the fading out and utter obliteration of some of the greatest luminaries in the firmament of the Bábí Dispensation; and even predicts "afflictive torment," in both the "Day of Our Return" and in "the world which is to come," for the usurpers of the Imamate, who "waged war against Husayn (Imám Husayn) in the Land of the Euphrates."” Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 23.

The Nineteen Letters of the Living

Muhammad speaks of the 19 Apostles of the Báb, referring to them as angels. These angelic believers He declares are Guardians of the Fire of Hell. This is because they are the means by which men will hear the Báb’s teachings and have to make a decision for or against Him. The Báb declared that any who chose against Him would be consigned to hell fire. That there are 19, Muhammad declares, is for a test for unbelievers, and that the believers may be certain of the truth.

Qur’án 74:30 - 31 Over it are Nineteen. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth God intend by this ?" Thus doth God leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind.

`Abdu’l-Bahá also mentions the 24 elders, 19 of whom are the Letters of the Living.

“These "first Letters generated from the Primal Point," this "company of angels arrayed before God on the Day of His coming," these "Repositories of His Mystery," these "Springs that have welled out from the Source of His Revelation," these first companions who, in the words of the Persian Bayán, "enjoy nearest access to God," these "Luminaries that have, from everlasting, bowed down, and will everlastingly continue to bow down, before the Celestial Throne," and lastly these "elders" mentioned in the Book of Revelation as "sitting before God on their seats," "clothed in white raiment" and wearing on their heads "crowns of gold"” Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 7 – 8.

The Appointed Hour Which No Man Knows

Christ has stated that when He comes again in the Glory of the Father, no man at the time it happened would really understand or know the time of the advent. Bahá’u’lláh fulfilled and accomplished that hour.

“The Hour which We had concealed from the knowledge of the peoples of the earth and of the favoured angels hath come to pass. Say, verily, He hath testified of Me, and I do testify of Him. Indeed, He hath purposed no one other than Me. Unto this beareth witness every fair-minded and understanding soul.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 11.

Like Lightning From East to West

In Persia the Prophet came, east of Israel was the first appearance of the new light (teachings and physical presence of the Prophet), but it is in the West that we will see the greatest signs of His strength.

Say: In the East the light of His Revelation hath broken; in the West have appeared the signs of His dominion.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 13.

Coming In the Clouds

Bahá’u’lláh explains the spiritual meaning of “coming in the clouds”.

“And now, with reference to His words: "And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." These words signify that in those days men will lament the loss of the Sun of the divine beauty, of the Moon of knowledge, and of the Stars of divine wisdom. Thereupon, they will behold the countenance of the promised One, the adored Beauty, descending from heaven and riding upon the clouds. By this is meant that the divine Beauty will be made manifest from the heaven of the will of God, and will appear in the form of the human temple. The term "heaven" denoteth loftiness and exaltation, inasmuch as it is the seat of the revelation of those Manifestations of Holiness, the Day-springs of ancient glory. These ancient Beings, though delivered from the womb of their mother, have in reality descended from the heaven of the will of God. Though they be dwelling on this earth, yet their true habitations are the retreats of glory in the realms above. Whilst walking amongst mortals, they soar in the heaven of the divine presence. Without feet they tread the path of the spirit, and without wings they rise unto the exalted heights of divine unity. With every fleeting breath they cover the immensity of space, and at every moment traverse the kingdoms of the visible and the invisible. Upon their thrones is written: "Nothing whatsoever keepeth Him from being occupied with any other thing;" and on their seats is inscribed: "Verily, His ways differ every day." (Qur’án 55:29) They are sent forth through the transcendent power of the Ancient of Days, and are raised up by the exalted will of God, the most mighty King. This is what is meant by the words: "coming in the clouds of heaven."” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 43.

The symbolism of clouds is explained.

“By these luminous, these conclusive, and lucid statements, the meaning of "heaven" in the aforementioned verse hath thus been made clear and evident. And now regarding His words, that the Son of man shall "come in the clouds of heaven." By the term "clouds" is meant those things that are contrary to the ways and desires of men. Even as He hath revealed in the verse already quoted: "As oft as an Apostle cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, ye swell with pride, accusing some of being impostors and slaying others." (Qur’án 2:87) These "clouds" signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically referred to as "clouds."” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 46.

Further explanation of the clouds symbols:

“It is evident that the changes brought about in every Dispensation constitute the dark clouds that intervene between the eye of man's understanding and the Divine Luminary which shineth forth from the day spring of the Divine Essence.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 26.

It is these clouds that keep the unbelievers from believing.

“Such things are as "clouds" that veil the eyes of those whose inner being hath not tasted the Salsabíl of detachment, nor drunk from the Kawthar of the knowledge of God. Such men, when acquainted with those circumstances, become so veiled that, without the least question, they pronounce the Manifestation of God as infidel, and sentence Him to death.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 27.

Bahá’u’lláh announces that He again fulfills the spiritual meaning of coming in the clouds.

“This is the Most Holy Tablet sent down from the holy kingdom unto the one who hath set his face towards the Object of the adoration of the world, He Who hath come from the heaven of eternity, invested with transcendent glory” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 9.

Christ came down from heaven the first time and has done so again in Bahá’u’lláh the second time.

“He, verily, hath again come down from heaven, even as He came down from it the first time. Beware lest ye dispute that which He proclaimeth, even as the people before you disputed His utterances. Thus instructeth you the True One, could ye but perceive it.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 11.

The Spirit of Truth

Bahá’u’lláh proclaims Himself to be the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, was after Christ found in Muhammad, then the Báb, and now Bahá’u’lláh.

“Say, Lo! The Father is come, and that which ye were promised in the Kingdom is fulfilled! This is the Word which the Son concealed, when to those around Him He said: `Ye cannot bear it now.' And when the appointed time was fulfilled and the Hour had struck, the Word shone forth above the horizon of the Will of God. Beware, O followers of the Son, that ye cast it not behind your backs.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 11.

Prophecy of ‘Akká

Shoghi Effendi mentions prophecy concerning ‘Akká.

“Akká, itself, flanked by the "glory of Lebanon," and lying in full view of the "splendor of Carmel," at the foot of the hills which enclose the home of Jesus Christ Himself, had been described by David as "the Strong City," designated by Hosea as "a door of hope," and alluded to by Ezekiel as "the gate that looketh towards the East," whereunto "the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East," His voice "like a noise of many waters." To it the Arabian Prophet had referred as "a city in Syria to which God hath shown His special mercy," situated "betwixt two mountains ... in the middle of a meadow," "by the shore of the sea ... suspended beneath the Throne," "white, whose whiteness is pleasing unto God." "Blessed the man," He, moreover, as confirmed by Bahá'u'lláh, had declared, "that hath visited Akká, and blessed he that hath visited the visitor of Akká." Furthermore, "He that raiseth therein the call to prayer, his voice will be lifted up unto Paradise." And again: "The poor of Akká are the kings of Paradise and the princes thereof. A month in Akká is better than a thousand years elsewhere." Moreover, in a remarkable tradition, which is contained in Shaykh Ibnu'l-`Arabí's work, entitled "Futúhát-i-Makkíyyih," and which is recognized as an authentic utterance of Muhammad, and is quoted by Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl in his "Fará'íd," this significant prediction has been made: "All of them (the companions of the Qá'im) shall be slain except One Who shall reach the plain of Akká, the Banquet-Hall of God."” Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 184.

Bahá’u’lláh

The Buddha speaks of another Buddha to come. Since there are dates that are given later for the appearance of this Buddha, they best correspond to the time of Bahá’u’lláh.

“At that period, brethern, there will arise in the world an Exalted One named Metteyya, Arahat, Fully Awakened, abounding in wisdom and goodness, happy, with knowledge of the worlds, unsurpassed as a guide to mortals willing to be led, a teacher for gods and men, an Exalted One, a Buddha, even as I am now. He, by Himself, will thoroughly know and see, as it were face to face, this universe, with its worlds of the spirits, its Brahmins, of princes and peoples, even as I now, by Myself, thoroughly know and see them.” The Buddha, Digha Nikaya 3:75 – 76 translated in Dialogues of the Buddha, Vol. 3, pp. 73 – 74 also found in Buddhism and the Bahá’í Faith, p47.

That the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is a larger outpouring upon the world than the Buddha’s revelation is explained.

“The truth (the Norm, the Dhamma), lovely in its origin, lovely in its progress, lovely in its consummation, will He (Metteyya Buddha) proclaim, both in the spirit and in the letter; the higher life will He make known, in all its fullness and in all its purity, even as I do now. He will be accompanied by a congregation of some thousands of brethern, even as I am now accompnaied by a congregation of some hundreds of brethern.” The Buddha, Digha Nikaya 3:76 translated in Dialogues of the Buddha, Vol. 3, p. 74 also found in Buddhism and the Bahá’í Faith, p. 47.

This prophecy concerns first the Muhammadan Dispensation and the twelve Imams of the Dispensation and the four intermediaries of the twelfth Imam. The Imams were stylized as Gates or Doors, and in particular were the 4 intermediaries who came after the 12^th Imam known as gates or doors through which the 12^th Imam was revealing. So too the Báb, was known as the Gate through which was to come (unlike the Imam’s who were gates through which a previous prophet was revealed) a future prophet, Bahá’u’lláh. It ends with the promise of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, the King of Glory. Bahá’u’lláh is literally translated the Glory of God.

Old Testament Psalms 24:7 - 10 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

This particular verse is an allusion to ‘Akká, which was first a crusader fort named St Jean De Arc, and later a prison city highly fortified called ‘Akká.

Old Testament Psalms 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

The Lord is prophesied as appearing in God’s glory.

Old Testament Psalms 102:16 - 17 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

A prophecy is here given from Isaiah that cannot refer to Christ in His first coming. It must refer to Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Isaiah 2:2 - 4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Prophecy is often partially fulfilled in one revelation and more fully completed in another. The idea of the Messiah as the victorious world leader was only partially enforced in the Christian revelation, more fully enforced in the Muhammadan, and will be fully enforced in the Bahá’í revelation. The passage below is often referred to Jesus, is more applicable to Muhammad, but finds its full realization in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Isaiah 9:6 – 7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

This is another prophecy that has been tied to Christ that cannot be fulfilled by Jesus. The very idea of “his resting place” or place of burial is an impossibility with Jesus, as the physical body of Jesus and its resting place are not to be found.

Old Testament Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

This particular prophecy both gives the name of the Prophet, Bahá’u’lláh, which in English or Hebrew means, “The Glory, Splendor, or Light of God”, and the location, which shall actually see His presence, Mount Carmel and the valley of Sharon.

Old Testament Isaiah 35:1 - 2 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

These verses refer according to Shoghi Effendi to first Christ and John, and then to the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Iqán states it in reference to Christ and John, and refers to it as that each Prophet has had a herald.

Old Testament Isaiah 40:3 - 5 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Spiritual darkness of the early 1800’s covered the earth, and then the Light of God shone forth!

Old Testament Isaiah 60:1 - 3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Christ proclaimed the name of the Lord, but Revelation states that when He comes again He will have a new name.

Old Testament Isaiah 62:2 - 3 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

The valley of ‘Akká or Achor is mentioned.

Old Testament Isaiah 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

Bahá’u’lláh is the single Shepherd to be raised up over the Faithful of the world.

Old Testament Ezekiel 34:23 – 24 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

The Bahá’í Gardens of Mount Carmel and of Bahji are prophesied. The New King James translation of the Bible translates the word, which is “plant”, as planting place “garden”.

Old Testament Ezekiel 34:29 And I will raise up for them a plant (a garden) of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

Bahá’u’lláh is the Shepherd who brings peace to the world, and Bahji and Carmel are the locations for the new Temple which spiritually is the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith.

Old Testament Ezekiel 37:24 - 28 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

This prophecy concerns the Gate, which is the Báb, and the Glory of the Lord, which is Bahá’u’lláh, and the means by which revelation came first and prepared the second revelation.

Old Testament Ezekiel 43:1 - 4 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.

Bahá’u’lláh is referred to in Daniel as the Ancient of Days. It is a prophecy related to Him and not His Holiness Jesus Christ. Christ did not fulfill this prophecy, but the teachings and life of Bahá’u’lláh were directly to fulfill it.

Old Testament Daniel 7:13 - 14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Prophecy of ‘Akká the Prison city of Bahá’u’lláh, Hosea refers to a time when Judah and Israel will see it.

Old Testament Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt..

This prophecy indicates a time in the future when everyone on earth will be familiar with Bahá’u’lláh’s story whether they believe or not. Bahá’u’lláh is a title that can accurately be translated as the Glory of God, or the Glory of the Lord. It was a title not taken by Him, but given at the conference of Badasht by Tahirih, and confirmed later by the Báb.

Old Testament Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

This particular verse is a prophecy of Bahá’u’lláh by name. Bahá’u’lláh is translated the Glory of God.

New Testament Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Christ speaking about the ‘End” predicts the signs by which we can know that the end is near, that the final fulfillment of the great World Teacher is coming. Many of the things spoken of here transpired before 70 A.D. Up to and including the verse dealing with many false prophets these things happened prior to the destruction of the Temple. Indeed, the final destruction of the Temple came about as a result of a rebellion led by a false prophet claiming to be the Messiah. Further, others had popped up prior to him. The final quoted verse is the key, the gospel would be preached throughout the world so that at least one preacher would be found in each nation. The Baptist missionary society declared that this had occurred in around mid or late 1800’s.

New Testament Matthew 24:3 - 14 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Again from Mark:

New Testament Mark 13:4 - 10 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Jesus predicts the international scope of Bahá’u’lláh’s government.

New Testament Matthew 25:31 - 32 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats

John speaks of Bahá’u’lláh that he is the King of Kings, and allegorically and figuratively and by personification shows how powerful and great He is and that the name He will bear will not be the name Jesus. He also shows that the successors to the Umayyad Dynasty of Islam, the beast, (the Islamists and corrupt Priest of Islam) as well as the rulers of the nations will actively work and war against the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. He also shows that Bahá’u’lláh is victorious.

New Testament Revelation 19:11 - 21 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a 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, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles 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.

The Báb speaks over and over again of Bahá’u’lláh. Here is but one example.

“When the Day-Star of Bahá will shine resplendent above the horizon of eternity it is incumbent upon you to present yourselves before His Throne. Beware lest ye be seated in His presence or ask questions without His leave. Fear ye God, O concourse of the Mirrors.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 164.

The “sign of the son of man” appearing in the heavens refers first to the Herald of the Prophet and also to a star that appears in the physical heavens coincident with the birth and appearance of the Prophet.

“And now, concerning His words: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." By these words it is meant that when the sun of the heavenly teachings hath been eclipsed, the stars of the divinely-established laws have fallen, and the moon of true knowledge--the educator of mankind-- hath been obscured; when the standards of guidance and felicity have been reversed, and the morn of truth and righteousness hath sunk in night, then shall the sign of the Son of man appear in heaven. By "heaven" is meant the visible heaven, inasmuch as when the hour draweth nigh on which the Day-star of the heaven of justice shall be made manifest, and the Ark of divine guidance shall sail upon the sea of glory, a star will appear in the heaven, heralding unto its people the advent of that most great light. In like manner, in the invisible heaven a star shall be made manifest who, unto the peoples of the earth, shall act as a harbinger of the break of that true and exalted Morn. These twofold signs, in the visible and the invisible heaven, have announced the Revelation of each of the Prophets of God, as is commonly believed.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 40.

‘Akká the prison fortress is prophesied.

“Lend an ear unto the song of David. He saith: "Who will bring me into the Strong City?" The Strong City is Akká, which hath been named the Most Great Prison, and which possesseth a fortress and mighty ramparts.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 144.

The revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is willed and bidden by God to be revealed.

“The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 5.

Bahá’u’lláh’s claim is to be the promised world teacher of the world’s great religions.

“Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 10.

The prophecies of the Promised One are all fulfilled already.

“The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 12 – 13.

Bahá’u’lláh announces that the Scriptures of all religions have declared His Name.

“There is no verse in them that doth not declare the glory of His holy Name, and no Book that doth not testify unto the loftiness of this most exalted theme.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 13.

Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation has been the cause of fear among all mankind.

“Praise be unto God Who hath manifested the Point, hath unfolded therefrom the knowledge of all things, whether of the past or of the future--a Point He hath chosen to be the Herald of His Name and the Harbinger of His Great Revelation which hath caused the limbs of all mankind to quake and the splendour of His light to shine forth above the horizon of the world.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 102.

The Báb names Bahá’u’lláh as the next Prophet.

“It should be noted, in this connection, that in the third Vahíd of this Book there occurs a passage which, alike in its explicit reference to the name of the Promised One, and in its anticipation of the Order which, in a later age, was to be identified with His Revelation, deserves to rank as one of the most significant statements recorded in any of the Báb's writings. "Well is it with him," is His prophetic announcement, "who fixeth his gaze upon the Order of Bahá'u'lláh, and rendereth thanks unto his Lord. For He will assuredly be made manifest. God hath indeed irrevocably ordained it in the Bayán."” Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 25.

Prophecy of the Death of Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’u’lláh announces that He too will pass away, and that it is the duty of man to seek His physical presence while on earth.

“Make haste, O my brother, that while there is yet time our lips may taste of the immortal draught, for the breeze of life, now blowing from the city of the Well-Beloved, cannot last, and the streaming river of holy utterance must needs be stilled, and the portals of the Ridván cannot for ever remain open. The day will surely come when the Nightingale of Paradise will have winged its flight away from its earthly abode unto its heavenly nest.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 16.

The New Jerusalem

Bahá’u’lláh makes Himself and after His passing His Words and Law to be the City of God, the New Jerusalem. So His call here is to our hearts and souls referred to as Carmel to hasten, as does the physical Carmel around Him and His Teachings.

“Hasten forth and circumambulate the City of God that hath descended from heaven, the celestial Kaaba round which have circled in adoration the favoured of God, the pure in heart, and the company of the most exalted angels.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4.

The Law of God is seen as the New Jerusalem.

“The Law of God is also compared to an adorned bride who appears with most beautiful ornaments, as it has been said in chapter 21 of the Revelation of St. John: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 68.

The New Jerusalem denotes both the Manifestation of God and His Law.

“The descent of the New Jerusalem denoteth a heavenly Law, that Law which is the guarantor of human happiness and the effulgence of the world of God. . . As for the heavenly Jerusalem that hath come to rest on the summits of the world, and God's Holy of Holies, Whose banner is now lifted high, this comprehendeth within itself all the perfections, all the knowledge of the dispensations gone before. Beyond this, it heraldeth the oneness of the children of men. It is the flag of universal peace, the spirit of eternal life; it is the glory of the perfections of God, the circumambient grace of all existence, the ornament bedecking all created things, the source of inner quietude for all humankind.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 64 - 65.

The Prophecy of the Establishment of a New Order of Creation

The new religion is the new heaven; the new earth is the new hearts that men will have.

Old Testament Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

This is a prophecy that a new order of creation, unlike anything seen before, is about to happen.

“Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 7.

The natural and the spiritual world of man have been regenerated, or given new life, through the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

“Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this world-wide regeneration.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 92.

This new order of things includes the oneness of mankind and universal peace.

“The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 19 – 20.

Prophecy of the Final Kingdom of Bahá’u’lláh

Five kingdoms are mentioned by Daniel and then a sixth and final Kingdom set up by God Himself. The Kingdom of Daniel is the first, then the Assyrian that came next, then comes the Greek Empire of Alexander, then the Iron Empire of Rome, then unlike Christians Fundamentalists who believe the mixed clay and iron kingdom is yet to come, we hold that it was the Empire of the Umayyad Dynasty and the Muslim Empire. During the days of the Muslim Empire (which by the death of Bahá’u’lláh was collapsing) comes the Kingdom not set up by men, but a government (mountain is a symbol for government in Prophecy) set up by the Manifestation of God.

Old Testament Daniel 2:37 - 45 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Again Daniel mentions different Empires set up by man and uses symbols to identify them. These kingdoms are said to come forth out of the sea (here symbolizing the sea of nations) Unlike the Christian teaching on this we do not believe the final one before God’s kingdom is yet to come, but rather the final man made empire has already occurred and God’s Kingdom is to be set up by Bahá’u’lláh. In the Vision that Daniel interprets here, not five but four kingdoms are described since the Golden Kingdom of Belshazzar the son of Nebuchnezzar, is not included in the list, as the next Empire will soon overcome it. So the Number Four and Five Empires are not contradictory but affirmative. The count starts in this count of Empires from the next one or the second empire of the last vision. Again the beast symbolizes various aspects of the Assyrian, Greek, Persian, and Roman Empires, and the final Umayyad dynasty of the Muslim Empire which sought to kill every descendant of Muhammad to prevent the coming Promised One. This is the horn (horn symbolizes rulers of governments) and this last Umayyad Empire had ten horns, which refers to the ten Umayyad caliphates, the names of the Caliphates sometimes repeated so that there were seven different names for the ten rulers. The last little horn is the final Muslim Caliphate that persecuted Bahá’u’lláh. The idea of the horn speaking blasphemy refers to the final corruption of Islam that was found upon the advent of Bahá’u’lláh.

Old Testament Daniel 7:1 - 8 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Daniel again replays this same theme and actually gives the number of years until the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. Rome is the fourth beast, the ten horns again the Umayyad dynasty and also symbolically the whole of the Muslim Empire. The one who arises after the ten is the Ottoman Empire and the Caliphate who subdues the other three regions of the Islamic Empire, he carries on the work of persecuting the true believers in Muhammad as did the Umayyad, but the whole time of the Islamic Empire from Muhammad to the coming of the Báb was 1260 years, or 1260 days in the Bible, or a times times and a half, which represents three and one half years, and three and one half years is 1260 days, or 1260 prophetic years. After that comes Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb.

Old Testament Daniel 7:23 - 27 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The final Kingdom is the dominion or rulership of God and it has come through the instrumentality of His Prophet, Bahá’u’lláh.

“They read the Evangel and yet refuse to acknowledge the All-Glorious Lord, notwithstanding that He hath come through the potency of His exalted, His mighty and gracious dominion.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 10.

`Abdu’l-Bahá

This prophecy may refer to `Abdu’l-Bahá who was known as the Branch. If so it refers not only to his mission but his being known through out the events of the early epochs of the Bahá’í dispensation.

Old Testament Isaiah 4:2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Here is a clearer reference to `Abdu’l-Bahá, the Most Great Branch.

Old Testament Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

`Abdu’l-Bahá is the Branch, and it is He Who oversaw the building of the Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette.

Old Testament Zechariah 6:12 - 13 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

The Guardians Are of a Far Lesser Station than `Abdu'l-Bahá

The Guardians must never be compared in station to that of the Master.

“. . . it can never be regarded as commensurate with the greater distance that stands between Him Who is the Center of the Covenant and His ministers who are to carry on His work, whatever be their name, their rank, their functions or their future achievements.” Shoghi Effendi, Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi, p. 15.

Prophecy of Storms More Severe than the Past Against the True Faith

Shoghi Effendi points out that the struggle against the Faith internally as well as externally will be greater than anything before experienced.

“For let every earnest upholder of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh realize that the storms which this struggling Faith of God must needs encounter, as the process of the disintegration of society advances, shall be fiercer than any which it has already experienced. Let him be aware that so soon as the full measure of the stupendous claim of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh comes to be recognized by those time-honored and powerful strongholds of orthodoxy, whose deliberate aim is to maintain their stranglehold over the thoughts and consciences of men, this infant Faith will have to contend with enemies more powerful and more insidious than the cruellest torture-mongers and the most fanatical clerics who have afflicted it in the past. What foes may not in the course of the convulsions that shall seize a dying civilization be brought into existence, who will reinforce the indignities which have already been heaped upon it!” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 17.

The Bahá’ís were to be tested severely by mental tests. We live in that time when those tests are falling.

“And yet, how often we seem to forget the clear and repeated warnings of our beloved Master, who, in particular during the concluding years of His mission on earth, laid stress on the "severe mental tests" that would inevitably sweep over His loved ones of the West--tests that would purge, purify and prepare them for their noble mission in life.” Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 50.

The Closer Companions Rebel

The closest ones to the Center of the Covenant have been the ones that rebelled.

“And still another of His trials was the hostility, the flagrant injustice, the iniquity and rebellion of Mírzá Yahyá.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 4.

Again the closest do these things.

“Mírzá Muhammad `Alí, hath passed out from under the shadow of the Cause, hath broken the Covenant, hath falsified the Holy Text, hath inflicted a grievous loss upon the true Faith of God, hath scattered His people, hath with bitter rancor endeavored to hurt `Abdu'l-Bahá and hath assailed with the utmost enmity this servant of the Sacred Threshold.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 5.

Prophecy of More than One Guardian

If taken at face value this prophecy would indicate to any Old Testament Jew that a number of Saviors had been appointed by God to come to Zion and Judge the world, and that through them the kingdom would become God’s kingdom. It may indeed have that meaning. The Hebrew word that has been variously translated as “saviors”, “deliverers”, “defenders”, “rescuers”, and “preserverers” is the word “yasha”, and in the causative, it has the meaning of one who defends or preserves. I would submit that from the Orthodox Bahá’í point of view, this passage may refer not so much to the Manifestations to come, but to the “Guardians” - that is, “those who cause the Faith (Zion) to be preserved or defended.” Then the sense of the prophecy would be that the Kingdom will be the Lords, or Bahá’u’lláh’s Kingdom will be because the saviors or Guardians will come to the Faith (Zion) to preserve and defend the Faith.

Old Testament Obadiah 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

Shoghi Effendi states as a definite that he and future Guardians must by word and deed testify to their station being less than that of `Abdu’l-Bahá. Indeed, Shoghi Effendi is pointing out very clearly there will be future Guardians after him.

“The fact that the Guardian has been specifically endowed with such power as he may need to reveal the purport and disclose the implications of the utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and of `Abdu'l-Bahá does not necessarily confer upon him a station co-equal with those Whose words he is called upon to interpret. He can exercise that right and discharge this obligation and yet remain infinitely inferior to both of them in rank and different in nature.

To the integrity of this cardinal principle of our Faith the words, the deeds of its present and future Guardians must abundantly testify. By their conduct and example they must needs establish its truth upon an unassailable foundation and transmit to future generations unimpeachable evidences of its reality.” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 151.

Prophecy of Mason Remey

The following from `Abdu’l-Bahá shows his prophecy of the greatness of Mason Remey, and alludes to how he would be ultimately rejected in his life-time, to not even having the proper Bahá’í burial, but that future generations would honor him. Now either `Abdu’l-Bahá knew what He was talking about here, or He was a liar.

“Mr. William Remey came in about this time and when `Abdu’l-Bahá saw him, he greated him most warmly. “Your brother (Mason Remey) mentioned your name to me. You are greatly blessed by having such a brother. At present you do not know how greatly you are blessed, but you will see this with your own eyes. Your whole family will be glorified; they will be proud that they have such sons as Mr. Remey and yourself. Consider how the Disciples were treated. While they were alive people would not have anything to do with them, but later on they felt greatly glorified if they had even the remotest relationship with them. They became respected and revered; - even the earth that was touched by their feet. Now the people prostrate themselves before their tombs, but they were persecuted while they lived. At that time people did not like to be known as relatives of these Disciples of Christ.. . . In their own day the people beat them, put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries.” `Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. V, No. 6, 24 June 1914.

Future historians and generations will have to fully appraise the Guardianship of Mason Remey.

“Only future generations of Bahá’ís will be able to appraise and appreciate adequately the value of Mason’s matchless and historic services to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and the solitary and glorious battle he fought for the victory of the Covenant upon his accession to the Guardianship in the face of a violation of unparalleled magnitude resulting initially from a conspiracy on the part of the widow of the first Guardian in which she was joined by the then hands of the Cause and subsequently blindly followed by the vast majority of the believers throughout the Bahá’í World.” Joel B. Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Message of 16 February 1974.

A Prophecy Concerning Australia, and a Possible Allusion to the Third Guardian

This is prophetic of Australia’s destiny and may include the allusion to the fact that the Third Guardian of the Faith resides in that continent and country.

“You must ever realize that Australia will in time grow to become one of the most important centres in the Bahá’í world for it is rich with many & varied possibilities both material & spiritual.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Antipodes, p. 48.

As for the country of Australia:

“Australia will be able to become a leading torchbearer for the spiritual regeneration of man and for the establishment of universal brotherhood in the world.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Antipodes, p. 54.

Prophecy of Future Guardians and Hands of the Cause

The implication in this passage is that living occupants are going about their duties.

“The raising of this Edifice (of the International Bahá’í Archives) will in turn herald the construction in the course of successive epochs of the Formative Age of the Faith, of several other structures, which will serve as the administrative seats of such divinely appointed institutions as the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause, and the Universal House of Justice.” (Ed. Note: The words “administrative seats” imply living occupants going about their duties.) Shoghi Effendi, Nov 27, 1954; Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 74; Also including the editors note not found in the previous books, The Covenant from Bahá’u’lláh to the Year 2000, p. 18.

Prophecy of a Possible Future Guardian from the Line of Bahá’u’lláh

In the future a Guardian may be appointed from the line of Bahá’u’lláh.

“The traditional background of the Prophets of Israel is that of a special and family descent from the earliest times and from which seed the Prophets and Manifestations of God were descended.

In the case of the Second Guardian of the faith, things so worked-out that this line of descent of the Guardians has been – for the present – broken.

I, Mason Remey, feel that this can be remedied and that the descent of the guardianship can be brought back again into the line of descent from Bahá’u’lláh. This can be accomplished as soon as there may arise amongst those of this chosen descent, one who will qualify. All this can be attained in conformity with the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 - 1966, p. 41.

Prophecy of the Failure of the National Assemblies to Co-operate with the Guardianship and Its Results

The National Assemblies were to wholeheartedly co-operate, and it appears to be co-operation with each other, the local assemblies, and the Administrative Center (all other Bahá’í institutions). The results of failure in this area is delineated and must refer to the Center of the Administrative Order, the Guardianship.

“. . . it is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire, that the unfailing guidance of Bahá’u’lláh and the blessings of our beloved Master will enable them to set a high and true example to all other Bahá’í institutions and local Assemblies, and will show them what absolute harmony, mature deliberation, and whole hearted co-operation can achieve. Should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the whole structure is sure to crumble, and the Great Plan of the Future, as unfolded by the Master’s Will and Testament, will be rudely disturbed and grievously delayed.” Shoghi Effendi, First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 75, and Bahá’í Administration Selected Messages 1922 – 1932, pp. 45 – 46.

This is a statement that clearly defines what would happen to any group of Bahá’ís that abandoned the Guardianship as an Institution that continues with a living head.

“Should we build up the Administrative World Order to a point of absolute perfection but at the same time allow it to be hampered or disconnected from the channels within, through which channels the Holy Spirit of the Cause pours forth, we would have nothing more than a perfected body out of touch with and cut off from the finer promptings of the soul or spirit.” Shoghi Effendi, First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 1.

The Faith will go backward to a time like its earliest days before the coming of `Abdu’l-Bahá to America.

“Under your care (NSA), the Faith in America shall undergo a period of “re-birth”, - a period similar to that through which the Faith passed during the early days of development. Assured of Infallible Guidance by the Guardian of the Faith, the Administrative Order so laboriously worked-out for us by the beloved Shoghi Effendi will become the Instrument through which the Promised Kingdom of God on Earth shall be realized.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 12.

The Great Apostasy – The Great Falling Away

Paul states that the final Day of the Lord, during which the true believers will be gathered into the Lord in His coming, could not happen unless at least two things happen. The first of these is that a person will come who will exalt himself above God. Now this Day of the Lord Paul speaks of is not just the coming of the Prophet, but specifically when most Christian would be gathered (follow) the Lord in His new Manifestation. The man of sin, as he calls him, will sit in the temple of God. Now in the Christian dispensation the “temple” is not the one in Israel, but rather the individual believer, and the church. In this reference it is clear that Paul is speaking of the church. Hence, this man who exalts himself above God (that is considers himself superior to the new Manifestation of God) stands revealed. Pope Pius the Ninth, the author of Papal infallibility, the prisoner of the Vatican, the one warned by Bahá’u’lláh, is I believe the one referred to here. Indeed, instead of seeking out God’s Manifestation on earth, he declared himself infallible and able to speak in the stead of God. He was the Head of the Church, which is God in the Temple. That part has transpired with the coming and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh. The second occurrence is the strong delusion that the believers should believe the lie. Here it is equally clear Paul is speaking about those who supposedly believe in the Prophet, the new Manifestation of God. I personally believe that this also has occurred with the believers listening to the lie of the ex-Hands of the Cause, that there was no Guardian of the Faith, and now carried forward by a deluded Guardianless House of Justice in Haifa. Only the elect of God, those who followed the Covenant of God, remained a faithful remnant.

New Testament 2^nd Thessalonians 2:11 – 12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

`Abdu'l-Bahá states that there was a Great Dividing in his day when the Covenant passed the physical leadership to him from Bahá'u'lláh. He urges everyone to not divide when the mantle of leadership passes to Shoghi Effendi. What is clear is that an even greater Great Dividing took place with the assumption of the Guardianship by Mason Remey.

“. . . they that in the Day of the Great Dividing have stood fast and firm in the Covenant. . .” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 3.

Prophecy Against Bahá'ís

This is a prophecy against the Bahá'ís, particularly the Sans-Guardian tradition, but also any Bahá'í who meets these sad conditions. It must be referring to Bahá'ís because they profess belief in the one true faith of God, and Sans-Guardian since they are immersed in misbelief or mis-placed belief.

“Though immersed in the ocean of misbelief, yet with your lips ye profess the one true faith of God. Him whom I abhor ye have loved, and of My foe ye have made a friend. Notwithstanding, ye walk on My earth complacent and self-satisfied, heedless that My earth is weary of you and everything within it shunneth you.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 61.

Prophecy of Possible Improper Establishment of Universal House of Justice

Here is an allusion to the possible “improper” establishment of the Universal House of Justice. The real properly established one would have to be the one that does the proper review of the situation within the Cause.

“And when this Supreme Body will have been properly established, it will have to consider afresh the whole situation, lay down the principle which shall direct, so long as it deems advisable, the affairs of the Cause.” Shoghi Effendi, First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 74.

Again, Shoghi Effendi alludes to the possibility of a House of Justice that is not authoritative. By mentioning “the first ... authoritative” he implies that there could be elected one that had no authority.

“In connection with the fundamental questions of general policy referred to in your letter, I feel that the basic principles, laid down but briefly stated in my past letters, which must guide the administration of the affairs of the Bahá'í Movement, pending the definite formation of the first authoritative Universal House of Justice. . .” Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 78.

Prophecy Against the Sans-Guardian False UHJ

Again, Shoghi Effendi in outlining the stages through which the Universal House of Justice must progress leaves no doubt that the present Sans-Guardian UHJ did not go through those stages.

“. . . an historic landmark in the evolution of the World Center of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh--a process which the newly formed Council, now established at its very heart, is designed to foster, which will gather momentum, with the emergence in the course of time of a properly recognized and independently functioning Bahá'í court, which will attain its consummation in the institution of the Universal House of Justice and the emergence of the auxiliary administrative agencies, revolving around this highest legislative body, and which will reveal the plenitude of its potentialities with the sailing of the Divine Ark as promised in the Tablet of Carmel.” Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 94 – 95.

Prophetically the man-made so called Universal House of Justice so-called in Haifa, Israel is mentioned by the Third Guardian commenting on the Tablet of the Holy Mariner by Bahá’u’lláh.

“To the members of the sans-Guardian "Universal House of Justice": You would do well to heed the warning revealed in Bahá'u'lláh’s highly prophetic "Tablet of the Holy Mariner," as enjoined by `Abdu’l-Bahá in the following foreword penned by Him, as this highly significant Tablet not only unmistakably foretells the tragic events centered in "the land of exile" that were destined to take place, and have since transpired following the passing of Shoghi Effendi, but foretells the terrible retributive fate that is now soon to befall those "idle claimants" to a station that is above theirs to claim and from whom "the breeze of Faithfulness" has not been found. "Study the Tablet of the Holy Mariner that ye may know the truth, and consider that the Blessed Beauty hath fully foretold future events. Let them who perceive, take warning." (`Abdu’l-Bahá) What were these "future events" that Bahá'u'lláh "fully foretold" and which the Master has stated should cause those who are truly perceptive to "take warning" events and that would so seriously affect the Faith as to cause the Celestial Concourse to "shriek and tremble"? It is obvious that you have not recognized these predicted events in which you have played such a conspicuous part and have even forgotten these dire predictions that concern you so directly were ever made. Could anything be more tragic in the development of the Cause of God than for the Administrative Order the very "Child of the Covenant" and "the body" of the Cause to be so grossly dismembered and reduced to such a shambles that, as the Tablet has predicted, it has "fallen upon the dust"? . . . Is it not clear from the foregoing quoted passage why Shoghi Effendi has referred to this sacred Document as "their Will and Testament"? How is it possible, therefore, for anyone professing fidelity to the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh to now believe and declare that the major provisions of this jointly authored sacred and immutable Will and Testament, has become null and void, since the passing of Shoghi Effendi and thirty-six years since the inception of the Administrative Order delineated therein? Has not the Administrative Order which "the master-hand of its perfect Architect has fashioned" been shamelessly corrupted and, His divinely-conceived Testament . . . Can, therefore, the abolition of these "highest institutions" of the Administrative Order the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause and the Universal House of Justice with the Guardian as its "sacred head" erected by the beloved first Guardian of the Faith in faithful and complete compliance with the provisions of the Will and Testament during his ministry and the shameful substitution of man-made institutions be considered in any other light than a flagrant violation of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh? And should it not be glaringly obvious that by your setting yourselves up in your prematurely established man-made so-called Universal House of Justice, without the living Guardian presiding as its irreplaceable and indispensable "sacred head" as called for in the Will and Testament of Abdul-Bahá, you have created nothing more than a fallible, deformed and incomplete organization clearly outside the provisions of the Will and Testament? More than this, have you not, as a result of your failure to recognize that Shoghi Effendi appointed his successor and your fallacious contention that the Guardianship is forever ended, usurped the role of the Guardianship by making yourselves the "Center of the Cause" and arrogating to yourselves, thereby, the authority, functions and prerogatives that can be exercised only by the living Guardian of the Faith under the terms of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu¹l-Bahá? And, in doing this, have you not perverted the meaning of loyalty to the Covenant, as previously defined, and are you not now equating such loyalty with loyalty to your illicitly formed headless body? Have you not, then, in the nefarious actions outlined above, fulfilled the prophetic events foretold in the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, and do you not now stand fully exposed and condemned in this Tablet as those who have "desired to ascend unto that state which the Lord hath ordained to be above their stations"? How much longer do you think God will respite you for your repudiation of the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, the destruction of the highest embryonic Institutions of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh reared so laboriously and faithfully by Shoghi Effendi and the substitution in their place, of your sans-Guardian and humanly-conceived, deformed and illicit organization? The inexorable fate that awaits you is fast approaching as a result of this greatest violation of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh in the history of our precious Faith and is certain to overtake you as promised in the following passages of the prophetic Tablet of the Holy Mariner: "Whereupon the burning meteor cast them out from them that abide in the Kingdom of His Presence." "O guardian angels! Return them to their abode in the world below." Shoghi Effendi has stated in "The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh ": "The bedrock on which this Administrative Order is founded is God’s immutable Purpose for mankind in this day." You have obviously repudiated this significant statement made by Shoghi Effendi. Your fate is therefore sealed and inevitable as promised in the following Words revealed by both the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh: "Naught can resist Thy will, nor frustrate what Thou hast purposed by Thy power." Bahá'u'lláh "Whatever God hath willed hath been, and that which He hath not willed shall not be." Báb God¹s "immutable Purpose” for mankind, as stressed by Shoghi Effendi, was certainly not changed by God with his passing, as insidiously claimed by the then Persian Hands of the Cause, and Shoghi Effendi, ever faithful to the Divine Mandates of `Abdu’l-Bahá, did not fail to bequeath to succeeding generations an intact God-given Administrative Order in all of its divinely-conceived perfection and glory.” Joel Marangella, Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Open Letter to the Members of the sans-Guardian Universal House of Justice, 4 July 1999.

The Third Guardian has explained part of the prophetic utterance of Bahá’u’lláh in the Tablet of the Holy Mariner.

“Have you not, then, in the nefarious actions outlined above, fulfilled the prophetic events foretold in the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, and do you not now, stand fully exposed and condemned in this Tablet as those who have “desired to ascend unto that state which the Lord hath ordained to be above their stations”?”

How much longer do you think God will respite you for your repudiation of the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, the destruction of the highest embryonic Institutions of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh reared so laboriously and faithfully by Shoghi Effendi and the substitution in their place of your sans-Guardian and humanly-conceived, deformed and illicit organization? The inexorable fate that awaits you is fast approaching as a result of this greatest violation of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh in the history of our precious Faith and is certain to overtake you as promised in the following passage of the prophetic Tablet of the Holy Mariner: “Whereupon the burning meteor cast them out From them that abide in the kingdom of his presence” “O guardian angels! Return them to their abode in the world below.”” Joel Bray Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Uninterrupted View, Statements of the Third Guardian from 24 September 1992 – Ridvan 2000, Volume II, p.42.

Prophecy of the Development of Class Consciousness in the Faith

With the Institution of the “Learned” as posited by the usurping Universal House of Justice, the Continental Board of Councilors, and their auxiliary boards, assistants, and helpers, we find the beginning of the development of a kind of class-consciousness.

“Although it is essential for the believers to maintain always a clear distinction between teaching and administrative duties and functions, yet they should be careful not to be led to think that these two types of Bahá’í activity are mutually exclusive in their nature, and as such cannot be exercised by one and the same person. . . The great danger, however, lies in that by so doing the friends may tend to develop a sort of class consciousness which is fundamentally contrary to both the spirit and actual teachings of the Faith.” Shoghi Effendi, First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 3.

Prophecy of the True Universal House of Justice

The true Universal House of Justice is prophesied.

Old Testament Isaiah 60:7 . . . and I will glorify the house of my glory.

Prophecy Concerning Native Americans

Native Americans are specifically mentioned in the Writings.

“Likewise, these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 33.

Prophecy of Tehran

This prophecy concerns the land of Tehran and indicates Persia or Iran.

“Erelong will the state of affairs within thee be changed, and the reins of power fall into the hands of the people. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing. His authority embraceth all things. Rest thou assured in the gracious favour of thy Lord. The eye of His loving-kindness shall everlastingly be directed towards thee. The day is approaching when thy agitation will have been transmuted into peace and quiet calm. Thus hath it been decreed in the wondrous Book.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pp. 93 – 94.

Tehran is promised a ruler who will champion the Cause.

“Let nothing grieve thee, O Land of Tá (Tihrán), for God hath chosen thee to be the source of the joy of all mankind. He shall, if it be His Will, bless thy throne with one who will rule with justice, who will gather together the flock of God which the wolves have scattered. Such a ruler will, with joy and gladness, turn his face towards, and extend his favors unto, the people of Bahá. He indeed is accounted in the sight of God as a jewel among men. Upon him rest forever the glory of God, and the glory of all that dwell in the kingdom of His revelation.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 110.

Prophecy of Khurasan

This prophecy concerns the province of Khurasan.

“O Land of Khá! We hear from thee the voice of heroes, raised in glorification of thy Lord, the All-Possessing, the Most Exalted.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 55.

Prophecy of Kirman

This concerns the region of Kirman.

“Erelong will God raise up within thee men endued with mighty valour, who will magnify My Name with such constancy that neither will they be deterred by the evil suggestions of the divines, nor will they be kept back by the insinuations of the sowers of doubt. With their own eyes will they behold God, and with their own lives will they render Him victorious. These, truly, are of those who are steadfast.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 78.

A Prophecy Concerning Israel, Egypt, and Syria

This speaks of a time when Syria, Egypt and Israel will be at peace.

Old Testament Isaiah 19:19 – 21, 24 - 25 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Hosea speaks of a time when Israel would have no king, no sacrifices, no sacred pillar, (which may refer to pagan worship mixed in or may equally refer to the twin pillars in front of Solomon’s Temple) and with the breastplate and divination tools of the High Priest. This time was literally fulfilled with the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. In a later time Hosea says that a dispersed Israel (they were dispersed in 70 A.D.) will return to the land, and that after the return, time not stated, they will seek God (Come to know Bahá’u’lláh) and David their King (David being the Guardianship).

Old Testament Hosea 3:4 - 5 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Prophecy Concerning Jerusalem and Israel

Jerusalem will again flourish and be honored `Abdu’l-Bahá says in the early 1900’s.

“In the beginning of the seventh century after Christ, when Jerusalem was conquered, the Holy of Holies was outwardly preserved--that is to say, the house which Solomon built; but outside the Holy of Holies the outer court was taken and given to the Gentiles. "And the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months"--that is to say, the Gentiles shall govern and control Jerusalem forty and two months, signifying twelve hundred and sixty days; and as each day signifies a year, by this reckoning it becomes twelve hundred and sixty years, which is the duration of the cycle of the Qur'án. For in the texts of the Holy Book, each day is a year; as it is said in the fourth chapter of Ezekiel, verse 6: "Thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year."

This prophesies the duration of the Dispensation of Islám when Jerusalem was trodden under foot, which means that it lost its glory--but the Holy of Holies was preserved, guarded and respected--until the year 1260. This twelve hundred and sixty years is a prophecy of the manifestation of the Báb, the "Gate" of Bahá'u'lláh, which took place in the year 1260 of the Hejira of Muhammad, and as the period of twelve hundred and sixty years has expired, Jerusalem, the Holy City, is now beginning to become prosperous, populous and flourishing. Anyone who saw Jerusalem sixty years ago, and who sees it now, will recognize how populous and flourishing it has become, and how it is again honored.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 46 – 47.

Prophecy of America’s Greatness

While I cannot absolutely be sure of this I will venture to say that the following verses spiritually refer to the future day and to America, divided by the Mississippi and other great rivers, and powerful or terrible nation, terrible here having the meaning of immense power.

(This quote is from the New King James Translation, as the King James in these verses translated inaccurately based on knowledge of ancient Hebrew of the 1600’s) Old Testament Isaiah 18:2-3 Go swift messenger to a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide. All inhabitants of the world and the dwellers on the earth; when he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.

If this were America above then the ending of the chapter refers to America’s coming to Bahá’u’lláh.

(Again, from the New King James) Old Testament Isaiah 18:7 In that time a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide – to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to Mount Zion.

America’s spiritual destiny is prophesied, and an allusion made to an American Guardian, as the unveiling of the Writings is the job of the Guardians, who interpret and unveil the meaning of the Scriptures.

“Likewise, the continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 62.

`Abdu’l-Bahá predicts the first banner or flag of internationalism would be raised in America, and so the U.N. flag was in New York City.

“But because I find the American nation so capable of achievement and this government the fairest of western governments, its institutions superior to others, my wish and hope is that the banner of international reconciliation may first be raised on this continent and the standard of the Most Great Peace be unfurled here.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 83.

The oneness of humanity will ultimately be hoisted in American as nowhere else.

“I have visited America and find everywhere the evidences of just and equitable government. Therefore, I pray God that these western peoples may become the means of establishing international peace and spreading the oneness of the world of humanity. May you become the cause of unity and agreement among the nations. May a lamp be lighted here which will illumine the whole universe with the oneness of the world of humanity, with love between the hearts of the children of men, and the unity of all mankind. I hope that you may become assisted in this supreme accomplishment, that you may raise the flag of international peace and reconciliation upon this continent, that this government and people may be the means of spreading these lofty ideals in order that the world of man may find rest, in order that the good pleasure of the Most High God shall be attained and His favors encircle the Orient and Occident.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 301.

`Abdu’l-Bahá speaks highly of the American nation as to its future role.

“As to the American people: This noble nation, intelligent, thoughtful, reflective, is not impelled by motives of territorial aggrandizement and lust for dominion. Its boundaries are insular and geographically separated from the other nations. Here we find a oneness of interest and unity of national policy. These are, indeed, United States. Therefore, this nation possesses the capacity and capability for holding aloft the banner of international peace. May this noble people be the cause of unifying humanity. May they spread broadcast the heavenly civilization and illumination, become the cause of the diffusion of the love of God, proclaim the solidarity of mankind and be the cause of the guidance of the human race.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 396.

Shoghi Effendi speaking about America mentions America’s future entanglements with China, the Far East, and possibly Islam; that missiles would fall on the American Continent, but that America would ultimately lead the world spiritually.

“Parallel with this, and pervading all departments of life--an evil which the nation, and indeed all those within the capitalist system, though to a lesser degree, share with that state and its satellites regarded as the sworn enemies of that system--is the crass materialism, which lays excessive and ever-increasing emphasis on material well-being, forgetful of those things of the spirit on which alone a sure and stable foundation can be laid for human society. It is this same cancerous materialism, born originally in Europe, carried to excess in the North American continent, contaminating the Asiatic peoples and nations, spreading its ominous tentacles to the borders of Africa, and now invading its very heart, which Bahá'u'lláh in unequivocal and emphatic language denounced in His Writings, comparing it to a devouring flame and regarding it as the chief factor in precipitating the dire ordeals and world-shaking crises that must necessarily involve the burning of cities and the spread of terror and consternation in the hearts of men. . . .the confusion, the vacillation, the suspicions besetting the European and Asiatic nations in their attitude to the American nation; the overwhelming accretion of strength to the arch enemy of the system championed by the American Union in consequence of the re-alignment of the powers in the Asiatic continent and particularly in the Far East--these have, moreover, contributed their share, in recent years, to the deterioration of a situation which, if not remedied, is bound to involve the American nation in a catastrophe of undreamed-of dimensions and of untold consequences to the social structure, the standard and conception of the American people and government.

No less serious is the stress and strain imposed on the fabric of American society through the fundamental and persistent neglect, by the governed and governors alike, of the supreme, the inescapable and urgent duty--so repeatedly and graphically represented and stressed by `Abdu'l-Bahá in His arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the social fabric of the nation--of remedying, while there is yet time, through a revolutionary change in the concept and attitude of the average white American toward his Negro fellow citizen, a situation which, if allowed to drift, will, in the words of `Abdu'l-Bahá, cause the streets of American cities to run with blood, aggravating thereby the havoc which the fearful weapons of destruction, raining from the air, and amassed by a ruthless, a vigilant, a powerful and inveterate enemy, will wreak upon those same cities.

The American nation, of which the community of the Most Great Name forms as yet a negligible and infinitesimal part, stands, indeed, from whichever angle one observes its immediate fortunes, in grave peril. The woes and tribulations which threaten it are partly avoidable, but mostly inevitable and God-sent, for by reason of them a government and people clinging tenaciously to the obsolescent doctrine of absolute sovereignty and upholding a political system, manifestly at variance with the needs of a world already contracted into a neighborhood and crying out for unity, will find itself purged of its anachronistic conceptions, and prepared to play a preponderating role, as foretold by `Abdu'l-Bahá, in the hoisting of the standard of the Lesser Peace, in the unification of mankind, and in the establishment of a world federal government on this planet. These same fiery tribulations will not only firmly weld the American nation to its sister nations in both hemispheres, but will through their cleansing effect, purge it thoroughly of the accumulated dross which ingrained racial prejudice, rampant materialism, widespread ungodliness and moral laxity have combined, in the course of successive generations, to produce, and which have prevented her thus far from assuming the role of world spiritual leadership forecast by `Abdu'l-Bahá's unerring pen--a role which she is bound to fulfill through travail and sorrow.” Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 124 – 127.

Prophecy of the Greatness of Canada

Canada’s spiritual greatness is also predicted. It is clear that the strongholds of the Faith under siege will be the countries of the Americas, namely Canada and the United States.

“The future of the Dominion of Canada, however, is very great, and the events connected with it infinitely glorious. It shall become the object of the glance of providence, and shall show forth the bounties of the All-Glorious.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 93.

Prophecy of the Growth of the Faith in the West

The West shall see the victory of the Faith by means of a handful of Bahá’ís.

“In Persia the Cause was established through the blood of the martyrs shed in its path; in the West it seems it shall prosper as the result of constant sacrifice on the part of its handful of followers. It is only by dedicating our life to the Cause of teaching and our means to establish its Institutions that the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh will conquer the West.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages to Canada, p. 37.

Prophecy of American Believers Being Stronghold for the Covenant

The Orthodox now are the believers to which Shoghi Effendi is referring. Even at the time of the writing, the British Bahá'ís and others would have been included, but it is an allusion to a future time of the stronghold, when the true Faith of God is both cradled and remains a stronghold within the North American Continent. Such a condition we find today among the Orthodox. In addition the second Guardian of the Faith was an American, as is the Third.

“The one chief remaining citadel, the mighty arm which still raises aloft the standard of an unconquerable Faith, is none other than the blessed community of the followers of the Most Great Name in the North American continent. By its works, and through the unfailing protection vouchsafed to it by an almighty Providence, this distinguished member of the body of the constantly interacting Bahá'í communities of East and West, bids fair to be universally regarded as the cradle, as well as the stronghold, of that future New World Order, which is at once the promise and the glory of the Dispensation associated with the name of Bahá'u'lláh.” Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 6.

Prophecy of Pollution

Bahá’u’lláh speaks of pollution.

“They drink of the tainted water, and know it not.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 41.

Prophecy about Nuclear Fission

The Old Testament, speaking of the time when the nations shall come up to war against each other and Jerusalem, states that the effects of the plague which affect the people who fought against Jerusalem and describes it. It is either the result we know today of radiation sickness (most likely) or a horrible biological war (less likely). The word translated “dissolve”, is used also to mean decay. So man’s flesh will decay on him while he is still alive and standing on his feet.

Old Testament Zechariah 14:12 - 15 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

Muhammad warns of a time when children shall become gray headed. This is also an effect of radiation fallout.

Qur’án 73:17 - 18 Then how shall ye, if ye deny (God), guard yourselves against a Day that will make children hoary-headed?- Whereon the sky will be cleft asunder? His Promise needs must be accomplished.

Muhammad mentions the actual atomic cloud. Here he states that mankind will see three columns, meaning to the right and to the left and in the center. In other words, they encircle.

Qur’án 77:28 - 32 Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters of Truth! (It will be said:) "Depart ye to that which ye used to reject as false! "Depart ye to a Shadow (of smoke ascending) in three columns, "(Which yields) no shade of coolness, and is of no use against the fierce Blaze. "Indeed it throws about sparks (huge) as Forts.

Bahá'u'lláh quoting Qur’án 67:3 in context is saying that in knowledge one can find in a knowledge of the great and large things of the universe things about the smallest atom, and that within the smallest things in the universe one can find knowledge of the greater things of existence, and that this also applies in the spiritual realm in gaining insights. He then prophetically quoting the Qur’án gives a startling example of nuclear fission.

“With inward and outward eyes he witnesseth the mysteries of resurrection in the realms of creation and the souls of men, and with a pure heart apprehendeth the divine wisdom in the endless Manifestations of God. In the ocean he findeth a drop, in a drop he beholdeth the secrets of the sea.

“Split the atom's heart, and lo! Within it thou wilt find a sun.”” Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 12.

Bahá’u’lláh announces that in this day every atom is able to give off a light similar to that of the sun, and in another sense every atom will be seen to be similar to the sun in a miniature solar system.

“. . . heavenly grace hath illumined and inspired the essence of all created things, in such wise that in each and every thing a door of knowledge hath been opened, and within every atom traces of the sun hath been made manifest.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 20.

This is a prophecy of the destructiveness of future weapons.

“In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil. Consider the civilization of the West, how it hath agitated and alarmed the peoples of the world. An infernal engine hath been devised, and hath proved so cruel a weapon of destruction that its like none hath ever witnessed or heard.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 69.

Further:

“Strange and astonishing things exist in the earth but they are hidden from the minds and the understanding of men. These things are capable of changing the whole atmosphere of the earth and their contamination would prove lethal. Great God! We have observed an amazing thing. Lightning or a force similar to it is controlled by an operator and moveth at his command. Immeasurably exalted is the Lord of Power Who hath laid bare that which He purposed through the potency of His weighty and invincible command.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 69.

Bahá’u’lláh does not make a direct reference to “atomic bomb”, but as can be seen the powers of it are fully explored.

“There is no direct reference to atomic bombs in the teachings, but many references to the powers latent within the universe; atomic force is obviously one of these powers.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Antipodes, p. 233

Prophecy of Movements Which Will Incur the Wrath of God

Listed movements seem to be Nazi, Communist, Oligarchy, Racism, Multinational Oligarchy, and unfettered Materialism.

“The theories and policies, so unsound, so pernicious, which deify the state and exalt the nation above mankind, which seek to subordinate the sister races of the world to one single race, which discriminate between the black and the white, and which tolerate the dominance of one privileged class over all others--these are the dark, the false, and crooked doctrines for which any man or people who believes in them, or acts upon them, must, sooner or later, incur the wrath and chastisement of God. "Movements," is the warning sounded by `Abdu'l-Bahá, "newly born and worldwide in their range, will exert their utmost effort for the advancement of their designs. The Movement of the Left will acquire great importance. Its influence will spread."” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 186.

Prophecy Against the Mullahs, Doctors, and Priest of Islam and their Doctrines and the Nations that Follow Them

Shoghi Effendi, quoting Bahá’u’lláh, who is Himself quoting Muslim prophecy and traditions shows that the evilest of men in the Day of the Prophet would be those who lead the religion of Islam.

“"A day shall be witnessed by My people," their own traditions condemn them, "whereon there will have remained of Islám naught but a name, and of the Qur'án naught but a mere appearance. The doctors of that age shall be the most evil the world hath ever seen. Mischief hath proceeded from them, and on them it will recoil." And again: "Most of His enemies will be the divines. His bidding they will not obey, but will protest saying: `This is contrary to that which hath been handed down unto us by the Imáms of the Faith.'" And still again: "At that hour His malediction shall descend upon you, and your curse shall afflict you, and your religion shall remain an empty word on your tongues. And when these signs appear amongst you, anticipate the day when the red-hot wind will have swept over you, or the day when ye will have been disfigured, or when stones will have rained upon you."” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 162.

Shoghi Effendi repeats and adds more to this theme

“The text of certain Muhammadan traditions, the authenticity of which Muslims themselves recognize, and which have been extensively quoted by eminent Oriental Bahá'í scholars and authors, will serve to corroborate the argument and illuminate the theme I have attempted to expound: "In the latter days a grievous calamity shall befall My people at the hands of their ruler, a calamity such as no man ever heard to surpass it. So fierce will it be that none can find a shelter. God will then send down One of My descendants, One sprung from My family, Who will fill the earth with equity and justice, even as it hath been filled with injustice and tyranny." And, again: "A day shall be witnessed by My people whereon there will have remained of Islám naught but a name, and of the Qur'án naught but a mere appearance. The doctors of that age shall be the most evil the world hath ever seen. Mischief hath proceeded from them, and on them will it recoil." And, again: "At that hour His malediction shall descend upon you, and your curse shall afflict you, and your religion shall remain an empty word on your tongues. And when these signs appear amongst you, anticipate the day when the red-hot wind will have swept over you, or the day when ye will have been disfigured, or when stones will have rained upon you."” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 178 – 179.

Prophecy of Oppression

This prophecy of oppression may have a double meaning. Oppressors will rule the earth for a time, and also more importantly, for some time the people will be spiritually oppressed not knowing where to go for guidance since the Guardianship is not recognized among the majority of Bahá'ís at that time.

“”Soon,” He predicts, “will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead.” “After a time,” He also has written, “all the governments on earth will change. Oppression will envelop the world. And following a universal convulsion, the sun of justice will rise from the horizon of the unseen realm.”” Shoghi Effendi, Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi, p. 33.

Prophecy of the Judgment of the Inhabitants of the Earth

The earth’s inhabitants will be punished because of the sins of those who claim to have faith. Since it speaks not only of transgressing the law, but breaking the everlasting Covenant, which in our day is the Kitab-i-Aqdas, and the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, it refers to the unfaithful majority of Bahá’ís who went with the sans-Guardian UHJ, and also the reference to the changing of the ordinances, can only refer to those who already know the ordinances. Hence the judgment of the world spoken of here will occur because the unfaithful majority of Bahá’ís have corrupted faith.

Old Testament Isaiah 24:5 - 6 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

This passage appears to be figurative of the fire of the love of God, and the sword of His Word by which the earth will be judged and many men “slain” or declared spiritually dead. However, it also appears to be literal.

Old Testament Isaiah 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

We should be expecting the justice of God to fall since the promised hour has arrived. Since the days are plural, it may also refer that every prophet to come under Bahá’u’lláh’s shadow will bring justice more and more to humanity.

“Bestir yourselves, O people, in anticipation of the days of Divine justice, for the promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye fail to apprehend its import and be accounted among the erring.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 17.

Prophecy also speaks of the bankruptcy of the world.

“Witness how the world is being afflicted with a fresh calamity every day. Its tribulation is continually deepening. From the moment the Súriy-i-Ra'ís (Tablet to Ra'ís) was revealed until the present day, neither hath the world been tranquillized, nor have the hearts of its peoples been at rest. At one time it hath been agitated by contentions and disputes, at another it hath been convulsed by wars, and fallen a victim to inveterate diseases. Its sickness is approaching the stage of utter hopelessness, inasmuch as the true Physician is debarred from administering the remedy, whilst unskilled practitioners are regarded with favor, and are accorded full freedom to act. ...The dust of sedition hath clouded the hearts of men, and blinded their eyes. Erelong, they will perceive the consequences of what their hands have wrought in the Day of God. Thus warneth you He Who is the All-Informed, as bidden by One Who is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 39 – 40.

Prophecy against the People of the World

Every people or nation has a set time in prophecy for its judgment.

Old Testament Ezekiel 14:12 - 14 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

It is not yet totally clear if this prophecy is mostly literal or spiritual or both. If however, the allies are real then in this war so would the nations that oppose them be real. It appears to be the last war fought before peace comes. Gog is a ruler in the land of Magog, this ruler is from the people of Rosh, present day Russia, and in the land of the Rosh people are two cities Tubal and Meshech. Many commentaries claim Meshech is present day Moscow. The allies of the Rosh people are listed as Persia, which would be one or both of Iraq and Iran; Ethiopia and Libya, and Gomer, which is the whole area of Germany and the Balkans. But may only mean part of that area. On the other side are listed Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Tarshish. Tarshish is first of all Spain and the merchants of the coastlands. These merchants are the shipping nations of the day and may well refer to England and America as well as other capitalistic systems. In the middle and being contended over is Israel.

Old Testament Ezekiel 38:1 - 15 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army

A prophecy against the world’s people:

O YE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD!

Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite., The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 93.

Here Shoghi Effendi elaborates.

Its present state, indeed even its immediate future, is dark, distressingly dark. Its distant future, however, is radiant, gloriously radiant--so radiant that no eye can visualize it. Shoghi Effendi, Call to the Nations, p. 14.

Shoghi Effendi does point out that in the age in which we live it is possible for mankind to perish and not succeed in world unity.

How pathetic indeed are the efforts of those leaders of human institutions who, in utter disregard of the spirit of the age, are striving to adjust national processes, suited to the ancient days of self-contained nations, to an age which must either achieve the unity of the world, as adumbrated by Bahá'u'lláh, or perish. Shoghi Effendi, Call to the Nations, p. 17.

If man does not come to world unity, then God will bring us to it. Shoghi Effendi elaborates on the Great Calamity spoken of by Bahá'u'lláh.

That the forces of a world catastrophe can alone precipitate such a new phase of human thought is, alas, becoming increasingly apparent. That nothing short of the fire of a severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, can fuse and weld the discordant entities that constitute the elements of present-day civilization, into the integral components of the world commonwealth of the future, is a truth which future events will increasingly demonstrate. Shoghi Effendi, Call to the Nations, p. 24.

The Guardians have reiterated these prophecies.

“How, also, can we forget the dire warnings he (Mason Remey) pronounced for the future of a Godless and unregenerate humanity destined to be visited by a catastrophe of undreamt of proportions in accordance with the prophecies of both Bahá’u’lláh, the ancient prophets and some of the most renowned seers of the past – prophecies that were lent corroborative evidence and proof by certain well known contemporary scientists.” Joel B. Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Message of 16 February 1974.

Prophecy of Western Civilizations Want

Spiritual progress is important to the progress of real civilization nationally and on a world scale.

“A superficial culture, unsupported by a cultivated morality, is as "a confused medley of dreams,"(Qu’ran 12:44, 21:5) and external lustre without inner perfection is "like a vapor in the desert which the thirsty dreameth to be water."(Qu’ran 24:39)” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 60 - 61.

Prophecy Against Germany

Bahá’u’lláh’s prophecy concerning Germany.

“O banks of the Rhine! We have seen you covered with gore, inasmuch as the swords of retribution were drawn against you; and you shall have another turn. And We hear the lamentations of Berlin, though she be today in conspicuous glory.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pp. 53 – 54.

Prophecy of Unbelief

This is a prophecy of the condition of man’s religious belief in the future.

“The vitality of men's belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it?” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 199.

The results of unbelief:

“Verily I say: The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion. Hear Me, O men of insight, and be warned, ye who are endued with discernment!” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 64, and Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 28.

Moral degeneracy is predicted again by `Abdu’l-Bahá. It is a direct result of the dying out of religion.

“In a time to come, morals will degenerate to an extreme degree. It is essential that children be reared in the Bahá'í way, that they may find happiness both in this world and the next. If not, they shall be beset by sorrows and troubles, for human happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 134.

Prophecy on Wars Based on Religious Fanaticism

We will see wars started or based on religious zeal and fanaticism, which only the prophet’s teachings can end. The carrying out of the principle of the unity of mankind in life among divergent peoples will and can end this strife.

“Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction. . . So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 14.

Prophecy on War

This figurative language refers to war and perhaps in a very literal sense the moving of the Earth’s axis.

Old Testament Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Nuclear war is spoken of as falling upon both Moscow and the Coastlands of other countries, which is to say the east and west coast of America and the Great Lakes coasts.

Old Testament Ezekiel 38:19, 22 – 23; 39:6 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

This is a prophetic statement that war will become so terrible as to become totally undesirable.

“The apparatus of conflict will, as preparations go on at their present rate, reach the point where war will become something intolerable to mankind.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 67.

Prophecy of World War I

`Abdu’l-Bahá predicted the outbreak of World War I.

“. . . universal peace will be established among the nations of the world by international agreement. The greatest catastrophe in the world of humanity today is war. Europe is a storehouse of explosives awaiting a spark. All the European nations are on edge, and a single flame will set on fire the whole of that continent. Implements of war and death are multiplied and increased to an inconceivable degree, and the burden of military maintenance is taxing the various countries beyond the point of endurance. Armies and navies devour the substance and possessions of the people; the toiling poor, the innocent and helpless are forced by taxation to provide munitions and armament for governments bent upon conquest of territory and defense against powerful rival nations. There is no greater or more woeful ordeal in the world of humanity today than impending war.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 317.

Prophecy of a Final Third World Encircling Conflict

Is the prophetic view of Shoghi Effendi here an educated guess, or a conditional, or an absolute prophecy?

“As the threat of still more violent convulsions assailing a travailing age increases, and the wings of yet another conflict, destined to contribute a distinct, and perhaps a decisive, share to the birth of the new Order which must signalize the advent of the Lesser Peace, darken the international horizon, the eyes of the divers communities, comprising the body of the organized followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the Eastern Hemisphere, are being increasingly fixed upon the progressive unfoldment of the tasks which the executors of `Abdu'l-Bahá's Mandate have been summoned to undertake in the course of the second stage of their world-girdling mission.” Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 58.

Prophecy of a Fixed Time for Mankind

1957, 1960, and 1963 are three events after which destiny seems to be fixed for mankind. The first date is the death of Shoghi Effendi, which can be likened to a Great Calamity spiritually for the Faith of God. Then 1960, when the Second Guardian, Mason Remey, openly declared his being placed in the Guardianship, and the denial of the greater part of the Bahá’í Faith’s believers. This is as a second phase of the judgment of God upon the House of God first. Then 1963, when the Hand’s plans came to fruition and the counterfeit Sans-Guardian Universal House of Justice was erected and the Guardianship ended completely for them. This is the third and final phase of the judgment of the House of God. After the Faith of God is judged, comes the judgment of the world.

“And again: "We have fixed a time for you, O people! If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction. How severe indeed is the chastisement with which your Lord will then chastise you!"” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 7.

Prophecy of Earth Changes

Concerning earth changes and possible pole shifts, we find it mentioned in the Old Testament.

Old Testament Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

Spiritual and physical implications are that earth changes are possible.

Old Testament Isaiah 24:18 – 20 . . . for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

This prophecy is obviously a prophecy of the political upheavals to come, but also may reflect a physical reality that may overtake the planet itself.

“The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System--the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 84.

This speaks not only of possible shifts of the earth’s crust, but of the drastically altered way in which man will live upon the earth. Viewed from how we lived until 1844, and looking at now we see how clearly this prophecy has been fulfilled already in its embryonic form.

“The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System--the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 135.

A new world, or way of life, and changes of the world situation are to come.

“The day is approaching when We will have rolled up the world and all that is therein, and spread out a new order in its stead. He, verily, is powerful over all things.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 312.

Prophecy of the Great Calamity

The Báb intimates the time of great calamity and its cause is due to rejection of the Prophet.

“O peoples of the earth! I swear by your Lord! Ye shall act as former generations have acted. Warn ye, then, yourselves of the terrible, the most grievous vengeance of God. For God is, verily, potent over all things.” The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 72.

Whether this verse speaks of the moment of death for those who do not believe, or a physical set of circumstances to overtake the world, justice will be done.

“O ye peoples of the world! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity is following you, and that grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not the deeds ye have committed have been blotted from My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My Pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 209.

Again whether figurative or literal the outcome is that man is to be chastised when he is disobedient, and the chastisement is for the purpose of correcting the individual or the collective.

“We have a fixed time for you, O peoples. If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction. How severe, indeed, is the chastisement with which your Lord will then chastise you!” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 213.

This appears to be both figurative and literal.

“If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation. Meditate on this, O people, and be not of them that wander distraught in the wilderness of error. The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: "The Kingdom is God's, the Almighty, the All-Praised!"” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 342.

Despair and strife will be part of the conditions of this calamity.

“The winds of despair are, alas, blowing from every direction, and the strife that divideth and afflicteth the human race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appeareth to be lamentably defective. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He may graciously awaken the peoples of the earth, may grant that the end of their conduct may be profitable unto them, and aid them to accomplish that which beseemeth their station.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 171 – 172.

The opposition from within and without the Faith is the Cause of the Great Calamity that will rock the earth.

“Indeed, the attacks and the obstructiveness of the ignorant but cause the Word of God to be exalted, and spread His signs and tokens far and wide. Were it not for this opposition by the disdainful, this obduracy of the slanderers, this shouting from the pulpits, this crying and wailing of great and small alike, these accusations of unbelief levelled by the ignorant, this uproar from the foolish--how could news of the advent of the Primal Point and the bright dawning of the Day-Star of Bahá ever have reached to east and west? How else could the planet have been rocked from pole to pole?” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 245.

These universal convulsions will take place from within and without the Faith. But ultimately the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith will be victorious.

“"The time for the destruction of the world and its people," Bahá'u'lláh's prophetic pen has proclaimed, "hath arrived." "The hour is approaching," He specifically affirms, "when the most great convulsion will have appeared." "The promised day is come, the day when tormenting trials will have surged above your heads, and beneath your feet, saying: `Taste ye what your hands have wrought!'" "Soon shall the blasts of His chastisement beat upon you, and the dust of hell enshroud you." And again: "And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake." "The day is approaching when its [civilization's] flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: `The Kingdom is God's, the Almighty, the All-Praised!'" "The day will soon come," He, referring to the foolish ones of the earth, has written, "whereon they will cry out for help and receive no answer." "The day is approaching," He moreover has prophesied, "when the wrathful anger of the Almighty will have taken hold of them. He, verily, is the Omnipotent, the All-Subduing, the Most Powerful. He shall cleanse the earth from the defilement of their corruption, and shall give it for an heritage unto such of His servants as are nigh unto Him."” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 4.

The calamity itself will fuse the world together.

“The flames which His Divine justice have kindled cleanse an unregenerate humanity, and fuse its discordant, its warring elements as no other agency can cleanse or fuse them. It is not only a retributory and destructive fire, but a disciplinary and creative process, whose aim is the salvation, through unification, of the entire planet. Mysteriously, slowly, and resistlessly God accomplishes His design, though the sight that meets our eyes in this day be the spectacle of a world hopelessly entangled in its own meshes, utterly careless of the Voice which, for a century, has been calling it to God, and miserably subservient to the siren voices which are attempting to lure it into the vast abyss.” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 189 – 190.

God’s purpose in all this is to lead mankind into peace.

“"The winds of despair," writes Bahá'u'lláh, as He surveys the immediate destinies of mankind, "are, alas, blowing from every direction, and the strife that divides and afflicts the human race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appears to be lamentably defective." "Such shall be its plight," He, in another connection, has declared, "that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly." "These fruitless strifes," He, on the other hand, contemplating the future of mankind, has emphatically prophesied, in the course of His memorable interview with the Persian orientalist, Edward G. Browne, "these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the `Most Great Peace' shall come.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family." "Soon," He predicts, "will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead." "After a time," He also has written, "all the governments on earth will change. Oppression will envelop the world. And following a universal convulsion, the sun of justice will rise from the horizon of the unseen realm." "The whole earth," He, moreover, has stated, "is now in a state of pregnancy. The day is approaching when it will have yielded its noblest fruits, when from it will have sprung forth the loftiest trees, the most enchanting blossoms, the most heavenly blessings." "All nations and kindreds," `Abdu'l-Bahá likewise has written, "...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."” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 190 – 191.

Shoghi Effendi quoting Bahá’u’lláh speaks of this calamity as a means by which ultimately the Faith will succeed.

“Let Bahá'u'lláh Himself shed the illumination of His words upon our path as we steer our course amid the pitfalls and miseries of this troubled age. More than fifty years ago, in a world far removed from the ills and trials that now torment it, there flowed from His Pen these prophetic words: "The world is in travail and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then and only then will the Divine Standard be unfurled and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody."” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 33.

Again Shoghi Effendi on the theme:

“Great and far-reaching as have been those changes in the past, they cannot appear, when viewed in their proper perspective, except as subsidiary adjustments preluding that transformation of unparalleled majesty and scope which humanity is in this age bound to undergo. That the forces of a world catastrophe can alone precipitate such a new phase of human thought is, alas, becoming increasingly apparent. That nothing short of the fire of a severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, can fuse and weld the discordant entities that constitute the elements of present-day civilization, into the integral components of the world commonwealth of the future, is a truth which future events will increasingly demonstrate.

The prophetic voice of Bahá'u'lláh warning, in the concluding passages of the Hidden Words, "the peoples of the world" that "an unforeseen calamity is following them and that grievous retribution awaiteth them" throws indeed a lurid light upon the immediate fortunes of sorrowing humanity. Nothing but a fiery ordeal, out of which humanity will emerge, chastened and prepared, can succeed in implanting that sense of responsibility which the leaders of a new-born age must arise to shoulder.

I would again direct your attention to those ominous words of Bahá'u'lláh which I have already quoted: "And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake."” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 46.

The fall of Rome is one example of how bad the calamity will be felt.

“The whole of mankind is groaning, is dying to be led to unity, and to terminate its age-long martyrdom. And yet it stubbornly refuses to embrace the light and acknowledge the sovereign authority of the one Power that can extricate it from its entanglements, and avert the woeful calamity that threatens to engulf it.

Ominous indeed is the voice of Bahá'u'lláh that rings through these prophetic words: "O ye peoples of the world! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in My sight." And again: "We have a fixed time for you, O peoples. If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction. How severe, indeed, is the chastisement with which your Lord will then chastise you!"

Must humanity, tormented as she now is, be afflicted with still severer tribulations ere their purifying influence can prepare her to enter the heavenly Kingdom destined to be established upon earth? Must the inauguration of so vast, so unique, so illumined an era in human history be ushered in by so great a catastrophe in human affairs as to recall, nay surpass, the appalling collapse of Roman civilization in the first centuries of the Christian Era? Must a series of profound convulsions stir and rock the human race ere Bahá'u'lláh can be enthroned in the hearts and consciences of the masses, ere His undisputed ascendancy is universally recognized, and the noble edifice of His World Order is reared and established?” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 201 – 202.

We are living in the times just before the Great Calamity.

“...we are now living in the early days of the “time of Judgment”. Much teaching must be accomplished by the friends in order to prepare the Bahá’í Community for the coming of the “day of Judgment” which will culminate in the coming of the great global catastrophe upon earth in the not distant future.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 13.

The Rockies are a place of safety.

“My reason for having suggested Santa Fe as a possible center for the new N.S.A. was born from my studies of the eventual catastrophe. Although we do not know exactly when this will be, we have every reason to believe that the entire Rocky Mountain area will probably come out safely. Therefore, Santa Fe or any other place in the Rocky Mountain area would be acceptable for the center.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 19.

The Calamity will be an event that ends the sans-Guardian Faith.

“We will have the present set-up “sans-Guardian” with us until the coming Catastrophe (judgment day of the world) will definitely end the day of their power.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 47.

The Third Guardian speaking on this subject states:

“While I have not shared this Tablet with the friends before, I feel that I should do so now, not that the momentous events predicted by the Master is immediately upon us or should dominate our thinking or teaching efforts at this time, but only to relate it to a prophecy of Bahá’u’lláh with which we are familiar, I am sure, that foretells of the catastrophe that shall suddenly be visited upon a decadent and increasingly Godless world which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake, the skins of men to creep, and the eyes to stare up in terror and promises that then, and only then, will the Divine Nightingale warble His Melody. The Tablet of the Master follows: . . . In short: when thou observest these things with the eye of reality, thou wilt see that the outcome, result and fruit of all these theatrical performances are mirages and their sweetness is bitter poison (Ed. Note: referring to political and humanity in general in their decadent relationships) A few days the earth shall roll on its axis, and these fleeting visions will be completely forgotten...” I do not know whether Mason Remey ever read this Tablet. I do not recall that he ever mentioned it in any of his writings about the impending catastrophe... It may be seen that the nature of this event, as described by the Master varies markedly from the theory of Charles Hapgood. . .It may be recalled that according to the Hapgood theory the earth’s crust will suddenly move with great rapidity over the underlying mantle as the result of a build up of Antarctic ice mass over thousands of years which coupled with the centrifugal force that this off-centered mass exerts as the earth revolves will increasingly exert a lateral pressure on the crust until a critical stage is reached and a sudden slippage of the crust for several thousand miles occurs. In contrast, `Abdu’l-Bahá does not refer to a crustal shift but a roll over of the earths axis over a period of a few days. It is evident according to Hapgood’s theory huge tidal waves are produced that rush with incredible speed over the surface of the earth causing widespread and immediate inundations of the lower lying areas. While inundations can also be expected under the axis rollover theory, it would certainly seem that these inundations would be much less sudden and disastrous.” Joel B. Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Uninterrupted View, Statements of the Third Guardian from 24 September 1992 to Ridvan 2000, Volume II, p.36 – 37.

The calamity foretold by Bahá’u’lláh may be the event that triggers the earth movement foretold by `Abdu’l-Bahá.

“I would like to stress that the Master stated that the earth would roll on its axis in “A FEW DAYS” which contrasts with the predictions of those who have theorized that this movement of the earth would take place very rapidly. Movement of the poles over a period of a few days will make a great deal of difference in the destruction that will be wrought. . . In other words, the event that Bahá’u’lláh foretells could be the trigger mechanism that causes the earth movement that `Abdu’l-Bahá foretells. For both these prophecies promise a profound spiritual change in mankind as a result of these afflictive events and therefore one would conclude that they are linked in one event.” Joel Bray Marangella, Third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Uninterrupted View, Statements of the Third Guardian from 24 September 1992 – Ridvan 2000, Volume II, p. 43.

Prophecy that the Mitigation of the Severity of Calamities Falls Upon the Faithfulness of the Bahá’ís

With the Great Deception and Falling Away of the Sans-Guardian Bahá’ís, the world is looking at an unmitigated disaster, unless the actions and faithfulness of God’s remnant people, the Orthodox Bahá’ís, can affect it.

“Dear friends! The powerful operations of this titanic upheaval are comprehensible to none except such as have recognized the claims of both Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb. Their followers know full well whence it comes, and what it will ultimately lead to. Though ignorant of how far it will reach, they clearly recognize its genesis, are aware of its direction, acknowledge its necessity, observe confidently its mysterious processes, ardently pray for the mitigation of its severity, intelligently labor to assuage its fury, and anticipate, with undimmed vision, the consummation of the fears and the hopes it must necessarily engender.” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 5.

It is clear that only the correct teaching of the Faith by the friends can in any way lessen the severity of the worldwide catastrophe to come.

“Western civilization will crumble down and destroy with it the already poverty-stricken East, if the message of Bahá’u’lláh is not established throughout the world and its divine remedy not applied to the sick body of society.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 75.

Prophecy that Once World is Led to Principles and Teachings What Our Sad Task Will Be

Because the Faith’s progress could potentially be retarded, the unseen Hand of God would still lead the world to the principles of teachings of the Faith. However, our task would then be shameful.

“It is specially gratifying to see you realize the fact that when the world has developed and been enlightened enough through the unseen Power of the Almighty, to be led to the teachings and spirit of the Cause, it will be our shameful task to go round proclaiming such principles as we were taught so many years before and none of which we had lived up to.” Shoghi Effendi, Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent, p.56.

Possible Prophecy of Future Knights of Bahá’u’lláh

Knights of Bahá’u’lláh were appointed by Shoghi Effendi and given that title when they were the pioneers who opened a brand new country or area for the Faith. Almost all those areas have now been lost, and the conditions mentioned by the quote given by Shoghi Effendi are again a reality.

“We have only to refer to the warnings uttered by `Abdu'l-Bahá in order to realize the extent and character of the forces that are destined to contest with God's holy Faith. In the darkest moments of His life, under `Abdu'l-Hamíd's regime, when He stood ready to be deported to the most inhospitable regions of Northern Africa, and at a time when the auspicious light of the Bahá'í Revelation had only begun to break upon the West, He, in His parting message to the cousin of the Báb, uttered these prophetic and ominous words: "How great, how very great is the Cause! How very fierce the onslaught of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Ere long shall the clamor of the multitude throughout Africa, throughout America, the cry of the European and of the Turk, the groaning of India and China, be heard from far and near. One and all, they shall arise with all their power to resist His Cause. Then shall the knights of the Lord, assisted by His grace from on high, strengthened by faith, aided by the power of understanding, and reinforced by the legions of the Covenant, arise and make manifest the truth of the verse: `Behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of the defeated!'"” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 17.

Again:

“We cannot believe that as the Movement grows in strength, in authority and influence, the perplexities and the sufferings it has had to contend with in the past will correspondingly decrease and vanish. Nay, as it grows from strength to strength, the fanatical defendants of the strongholds of orthodoxy, whatever be their denomination, realizing the penetrating influence of this growing Faith, will arise and strain every nerve to extinguish its light and discredit its name. For has not our beloved `Abdu'l-Bahá sent forth His glowing prophecy from behind the prison walls of the citadel of Akká--words so significant in their forecast of the coming world turmoil, yet so rich in their promise of eventual victory:--

"How great, how very great is the Cause; how very fierce the onslaught of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth! Erelong shall the clamour of the multitude throughout Africa, throughout America, the cry of the European and of the Turk, the groaning of India and China be heard from far and near. One and all they shall arise with all their power to resist His Cause. Then shall the Knights of the Lord, assisted by grace from on high, strengthened by faith, aided by the power of understanding and reinforced by the legions of the Covenant, arise and make manifest the truth of the verse: `Behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of the defeated!'"” Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 67.

The United Nations Flag is Prophesied

While many Christians view the United Nations as at best a moderately evil organization with the possibility of becoming a world oppressor, God declares that it is He Himself that caused the circumstances that created it. The word ensign may also be translated with equal validity as banner or flag. Historically it was the United Nations resolution that allowed for the establishment of Israel as a modern state, and the gathering under the UN Flag of the dispersed of Israel.

Old Testament Isaiah 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

The Lesser Peace

This is the lesser peace; the Most Great Peace is something even more than this.

“The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny.” Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 165.

`Abdu’l-Bahá mentions a Supreme Tribunal that will adjudicate international disputes. Both people and governments will elect it.

“A Supreme Tribunal shall be established by the peoples and Governments of every nation, composed of members elected from each country and Government. The members of this Great Council shall assemble in unity. All disputes of an international character shall be submitted to this Court, its work being to arrange by arbitration everything which otherwise would be a cause of war. The mission of this Tribunal would be to prevent war.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 161.

World civilization will develop under these conditions:

“True civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and high-minded sovereigns--the shining exemplars of devotion and determination--shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind, arise, with firm resolve and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 64.

`Abdu’l-Bahá states that an International Tribunal will be established and the first one for War Crimes has indeed been established prior to the end of the 20^th century.

“Therefore, international peace is a crucial necessity. An arbitral court of justice shall be established by which international disputes are to be settled. Through this means all possibility of discord and war between the nations will be obviated.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 317.

The Lesser Peace is a gradual process that works through politics first.

“No, it will come about gradually. . .. A plant that grows too quickly lasts but a short time. You are my family. . . my new children! if a family lives in unison, great results are obtained. Widen the circle; when a city lives in intimate accord greater results will follow, and a continent that is fully united will likewise unite all other continents. Then will be the time of the greatest results, for all the inhabitants of the earth belong to one native land.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 106.

World unity brought about by world leaders and a politically enforced peace with a world military to back the peace is indeed established firmly in principles of international law among the nations. Both the gulf war and the Balkans have shown this. The principle of collective security among the nations was firmly established by the end of the twentieth century, and as we move in the twenty first century it is no longer a principle in question among the leadership of the world. There will no doubt arise those who will go against this established current, but the current itself will sweep them away.

This is the stage which the world is now approaching, the stage of world unity, which, as `Abdu'l-Bahá assures us, will, in this century, be securely established. Shoghi Effendi, Call to the Nations, p. 40.

Shoghi Effendi speaking on the lesser peace:

“No machinery falling short of the standard inculcated by the Bahá'í Revelation, and at variance with the sublime pattern ordained in His teachings, which the collective efforts of mankind may yet devise can ever hope to achieve anything above or beyond that "Lesser Peace" to which the Author of our Faith has Himself alluded in His writings. "Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace," He, admonishing the kings and rulers of the earth, has written, "hold ye fast unto this the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependents." Expatiating on this Lesser Peace, He thus addresses in that same Tablet the rulers of the earth: "Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions... Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice."” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 162.

Prophecy of the “Hour” when the World will Convert

This prophecy of Bahá’u’lláh may indicate a time when a great mass conversion will take place in the world.

“The universe is pregnant with these manifold bounties, awaiting the hour when the effects of Its unseen gifts will be made manifest in this world, when the languishing and sore athirst will attain the living Kawthar of their Well-Beloved, and the erring wanderer, lost in the wilds of remoteness and nothingness, will enter the tabernacle of life, and attain reunion with his heart's desire. In the soil of whose heart will these holy seeds germinate? From the garden of whose soul will the blossoms of the invisible realities spring forth? Verily, I say, so fierce is the blaze of the Bush of love, burning in the Sinai of the heart, that the streaming waters of holy utterance can never quench its flame. Oceans can never allay this Leviathan's burning thirst, and this Phoenix of the undying fire can abide nowhere save in the glow of the countenance of the Well-Beloved.” Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 39.

The conditions for this are alluded to.

“The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 118.

This is another mention of the ultimate victory of the Faith.

“When the victory arriveth, every man shall profess himself as believer and shall hasten to the shelter of God's Faith. Happy are they who in the days of world-encompassing trials have stood fast in the Cause and refused to swerve from its truth.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 318.

First the great falling away of the believers happens, then later a great awakening of the people.

“`Abdu’l-Bahá warned of a time of great testing when but a few would stand firm in the Faith. This surely is that time; and we are surely those few! The Master also gave His assurance that after the time of testing the Cause would spread rapidly throughout the world. These are the early days of that time of awakening, and it is our spiritual obligation to bring the Message to this present-day spiritually-hungry world; - this world which has never before faced such troublesome times. People long for that Faith and Assurance which the Bahá’í Faith offers.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 14.

It may take an unexpected event.

“When I issued my Proclamation, I frankly had expected the majority of believers throughout the Bahá’í World to accept it. This having failed, it became clear that these were the times spoken of by the Master when but a few would remain firm... We could never be sure (as we still cannot be) just when or how many of the friends would be turning to the True Fold under the Guardianship. This might take years and might come about as a result of any one unexpected event.” Charles Mason Remey, Second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, The Writings of the Second Guardian from 1962 – 1966, p. 17.

Prophecy of the Future Bahá’í Kings

Bahá’u’lláh speaks of a future in which the first King will become a believer.

“We cherish the hope that one of the kings of the earth will, for the sake of God, arise for the triumph of this wronged, this oppressed people. Such a king will be eternally extolled and glorified. God hath prescribed unto this people the duty of aiding whosoever will aid them, of serving his best interests, and of demonstrating to him their abiding loyalty. They who follow Me must strive, under all circumstances, to promote the welfare of whosoever will arise for the triumph of My Cause, and must at all times prove their devotion and fidelity unto him.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 206.

Indeed He foresees a day when more than one king will arise for the triumph of His Cause.

“In the Lawh-i-Ra'ís He actually and categorically prophesies the rise of such a king: "Erelong will God raise up from among the kings one who will aid His loved ones. He, verily, encompasseth all things. He will instill in the hearts the love of His loved ones. This, indeed, is irrevocably decreed by One Who is the Almighty, the Beneficent." In the Ridvánu'l-`Adl, wherein the virtue of justice is exalted, He makes a parallel prediction: "Erelong will God make manifest on earth kings who will recline on the couches of justice, and will rule amongst men even as they rule their own selves. They, indeed, are among the choicest of My creatures in the entire creation."” Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 120.

Prophecy of the Golden Ages Beginning

The triumphs that the believers will win at the beginning of the Golden Age are referred to as tumultuous.

“. . . the tumultuous triumphs which the heroes of its Golden Age will in the coming days succeed in winning. . .” Shoghi Effendi, Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi, p. 17.

Shoghi Effendi speaking further on the beginnings of the great Age to come.

“The ages of its infancy and childhood are past, never again to return, while the Great Age, the consummation of all ages, which must signalize the coming of age of the entire human race, is yet to come. The convulsions of this transitional and most turbulent period in the annals of humanity are the essential prerequisites, and herald the inevitable approach, of that Age of Ages, "the time of the end," in which the folly and tumult of strife that has, since the dawn of history, blackened the annals of mankind, will have been finally transmuted into the wisdom and the tranquility of an undisturbed, a universal, and lasting peace, in which the discord and separation of the children of men will have given way to the worldwide reconciliation, and the complete unification of the divers elements that constitute human society.” Shoghi Effendi, Call to the Nations, p. 39.

After the great calamity the events that are spoken of here will happen.

“Let anyone inclined to either belittle the unique station conferred upon this community, or to question the role it will be called upon to play in the days to come, ponder the implication of these pregnant and highly illuminating words uttered by `Abdu'l-Bahá, and addressed to it at a time when the fortunes of a world groaning beneath the burden of a devastating war had reached their lowest ebb. "The continent of America," He so significantly wrote, "is, in the eyes of the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide, and the free assemble."” Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 6.

The Golden Age, or the Most Great peace will mirror forth the Kingdom of God on earth.

“What more fitting conclusion to this theme than these words of Bahá'u'lláh, written in anticipation of the golden age of His Faith-- the age in which the face of the earth, from pole to pole, will mirror the ineffable splendors of the Abhá Paradise? "This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendors of the Light that shineth from the face of thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have then called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. This is the Day whereon the unseen world crieth out: `Great is thy blessedness, O earth, for thou hast been made the foot-stool of thy God, and been chosen as the seat of His mighty throne!' The realm of glory exclaimeth: `Would that my life could be sacrificed for thee, for He Who is the Beloved of the All-Merciful hath established His sovereignty upon thee, through the power of His name that hath been promised unto all things, whether of the past or of the future.'"” Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 206.