My niece had an assignment from her teacher at a Christian school. She was to play Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of love, in a play. She needed to know what costume to wear. I found a website that prides itself in helping children with their homework. This is where I came upon the Baha'i Faith. How many young people will get exposed to this kind of information?
They are the most vulnerable and sought after. Many parents have abandoned their parent's traditions and do not give their children any kind of spiritual guidance which creates a vacuum in a child. Spirituality is the part of the a human existence that distinguishes us from animals.
This article is a lengthy discussion on what is underlying the present unity movement. The Baha'i Faith seems to line up perfectly with what the global church will represent. It also lends itself to Judaism somewhat in that the Messiah Himself has not returned. The Jews will not join this movement and will continue to stand alone as they always have where humanity is concerned.
This article proves that the unity movement will be serving a different God and a different Jesus. There is no way around it if all faiths are to be included.
Don Plucket wrote the article you are about to read. He used 210 plus Scriptures presented in bits and pieces, to convince us that their gospel agrees with Christianity and Judaism. According to him it represents what God has in mind for His church. I recommend reading this article only if you are grounded in the Word of God. Even though the author of this presentation uses the Word of God liberally, he tries to discredit it by pointing up inconsistencies, which could have a damaging effect to a young believer.
I tried, in most cases, to remove the actual Scriptures and left the Scripture references. Many of you know enough about the Gospel to know what the author is referring to. There were several reasons for that. I know it is less convenient but I have only so many pages in each newsletter to work with. Another reason is the effect of reading the Word mixed with heresy. By association the heresy is like leaven. It seeps through the whole dough.
Another reason for removing the Word is to take the power out of this article. Anti-Christian authors use the Gospel very effectively to give their stories power to convince that their doctrine lines up with the Word of God. They reinterpret the Bible and cause confusion. The Baha'i faith is an offspring of Islam, a kinder, gentler and more appealing Islam, Islam none the less. It is also spreading like wildfire since some major Christian leaders are asking us to reach out and embrace all faith. We need to know what we are supposed to embrace. The words in capital letters were changed to draw your attention. All else is as it was downloaded from a website.

Millions worldwide during the 1800s awaited the imminent return of Christ. Did Christ come back as promised... but unnoticed by most? (1 Thessalonians 5:20),(Isaiah 1:18),(John 7:51)

The Baha'i Faith had its origins in Persia in the 19th century in fulfillment of prophecies of all major world religions and peoples.
The Baha'i Faith teaches the ONENESS OF GOD and the ONENESS OF RELIGION. GOD CONTINUALLY MANIFESTS HIMSELF TO HUMANITY through a progressive revelation of His divine Messengers. Some of the more recent Messengers, commonly called Prophets, are Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
Each Prophet fulfilled prophecies regarding His own coming, and in turn left predictions concerning the next Messenger. Baha'u'llah is the MOST RECENT of God's Messengers to humanity, and has gifted us with the most contemporary of divine guidance for life in today's world. These new teachings are not to be confused with those timeless spiritual teachings - that are eternal - and do not change with each Messenger.
In God's infinite justice, we are never called upon to accept a Prophet whose advent was not foretold in earlier sacred writings and traditions.
The Promised One of all the world's peoples hath now been made manifest. For each and every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and BAHA'U'LLAH IS THAT ONE WHO MANKIND IS AWAITED BY ALL; and therefore the Cause of Baha'u'llah will bring about the oneness of mankind, and the tabernacle of unity will be upraised on the heights of the world, and the banners of the universality of all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of the earth. ('Abdu'l-Baha: Selections: `Abdu'l-Baha, page 101)
In this compilation a rudimentary knowledge of Christianity is assumed, but not necessary - The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 211)
(All Biblical passages are from the King James Version of the Bible unless indicated otherwise.)

In religious tradition, prophecy primarily is God's way of providing proof to humanity that allows us to recognize certain individuals (called "Prophets") who have been predestined to guide us.
1. Since the middle of the 19th century, all of the major world religions have been awaiting two concurrent prophets (or "Promised Ones") to lead humanity into a "golden age.": In Judaism there is the promise of the "Lord of Hosts" and the "Messiah." In the Gospel the return of "Christ" and "Elijah" is predicted. Islam has prophecies of the "Mihdi" and the "Messiah." American Indian traditions foretell a "Savior from the East," and a "Great Spiritual Being." Joseph Smith (Latter Day Saints) heralded "One Mighty and Strong" and the "Son of Man."
2. At this very same time, the Baha'i Faith commenced with the advent of its two founding prophets - the Bab (in 1844 AD) and Baha'u'llah (in 1863 AD).
3. Examples of scripture indicating that prophecy is God's way of providing proof:
a. (Amos 3:7)
b. (Mark 13:23)
c. (Luke 24:27)
d. The Lord of the universe hath never raised up a prophet nor hath He sent down a Book unless He hath established His covenant with all men, calling for their acceptance of the next Revelation and of the next Book... (Selections From the Writings of The Bab, page 87)
e. Arise thou to serve the Cause of thy Lord; then give the people the joyful tidings concerning this resplendent Light whose revelation hath been announced by God through His Prophets and Messengers. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, page 242)
f. Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 11)
g. He is come in the sheltering shadow of Testimony, invested with conclusive proof and evidence, and those who truly believe in Him regard His presence as the embodiment of the Kingdom of God. Blessed is the man who turneth towards Him, and woe betide such as deny or doubt Him. (Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, page 12)

That humanity would be indifferent and skeptical.
1. (2 Peter 3:3,4)
2. (Luke 18:8)
3. (Matthew 24:37,38)
4. (Luke 17:25)
5. (Luke 20:16)
6. (Matthew 21:43)
7. (Matthew 22:8)
8. Whoso hath in bygone ages asked Us to produce the signs of God, hath, no sooner We revealed them to him, repudiated God's truth. The people, however, have, for the most part, remained heedless. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 132)
9. This indeed is a grievous Day. We point out to them those that led them astray. They see them, and yet recognize them not. Their eyes are drunken; they are indeed a blind people. Their proofs are the calumnies they uttered; condemned are their calumnies by God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 41)

Yes . . . to bring us new teachings.
1. Examples of Christian scripture indicating that Christ would return:
a. (John 14:28)
b. (Matthew 25:13)
c. (Matthew 25:31)
d. (Luke 12:40)
e. (John 14:3)
f. (John 14:18)
g. (Revelation 3:3)
h. (Revelation 22:7)

2. Examples of Christian and Baha'i scripture indicating that Christ had more to teach us:
a. (1 Corinthians 3:2)
b. (John 16:12,13)
Note: The "Spirit of truth" is often MISINTERPRETED as "Holy Spirit" and not as another Prophet. In one of the most original extant manuscripts of the Gospel known to man - the Codex Syriacus discovered in 1812 on Mt. Sinai by Mrs. Agnes S. Lewis and Mrs. Bensley - the Paraclete (Comforter) in John 14:26 is identified simply as "the Spirit" and not "the Holy Spirit" as we find in modern translations. We also find the masculine "he" identified with the Spirit of truth (in most cases), and not the neutral "it" that would have been proper for the neutral Greek for spirit - "pneuma." John even identifies Jesus as a Paraclete:
(1 John 2:1).
(John 14:16)" Note that "with you for ever" is an INCORRECT TRANSLATION of the Greek "eis ton aiona" which means "into the age (to come)." Also, the reference to "another" Comforter (Paraclete), as well as John 16:7 where Christ states He must first "go away" before the Paraclete can come - negates the possibility that Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit, Who has been present in the world from the Creation.
c. In another passage He (CHRIST) saith: "When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." And yet, behold how, when He did bring the truth, ye refused to turn your faces towards Him, and persisted in disporting yourselves with your pastimes and fancies. Ye welcomed Him not, neither did ye seek His Presence, that ye might hear the verses of God from His own mouth, and partake of the manifold wisdom of the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the All-Wise. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 246)
3. Examples of Christian teachings on slavery and male/female relations that required revision:
a. (Ephesians 6:5)
b. (Ephesians 5:22-24)
d. (1 Corinthians 14:34)
e. (1 Corinthians 11:7-9)
4. Examples of later Baha'i teachings on slavery and male/female relations:
a. ...forbidden the trading in slaves, both men and women. This, verily, is what God hath enjoined in this wondrous Revelation. (Baha'u'llah: Epistle to the SON OF WOLF, pg 60)
b. In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He (Baha'u'llah) taught that MEN AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between them . . . The world of humanity has two wings, as it were: One is female; the other is male. If one wing is defective, the strong perfect wing will not be capable of flight. ('Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 174)
Note: Baha'i Sacred text suggest that the NEXT MANIFESTATION COULD BE A WOMAN: Know thou moreover that in the Day of Revelation were He to pronounce one of the leaves to be the manifestation of all His excellent titles, unto no one is given the right to utter why or wherefore, and should one do so he would be regarded as a disbeliever in God and be numbered with such as have repudiated His Truth. (Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, page 185) ... (Baha'u'llah used "leaves" to symbolize women descendants of God's Messengers.)

Although the Gospel clearly stated that no one but the Father knew the exact time of Christ's return, many prophecies hinted at 1844 and 1863 - and can be confirmed in hindsight.
1. In Judaism, it was predicted that after 2,520 years of exile (Leviticus 26:14-33) the Jews would be free. 2,520 years from the captivity of King Manasseh (and the tribe of Judah) in 677 - 676 B.C. by Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria and Babylon, was 1844 A.D.
Note: On March 21 (which also is the Baha'i New Year - called Naw Ruz),1844, in Persia, the Turkish government (Turkey then controlled Palestine) signed into law "The Edict of Toleration." This edict allowed Jews to worship freely and return home to the Promised Land (Palestine) after exactly 2,520 prophesied years!
2. Daniel has a 2520 year prophecy which points to 1844 from a completely different starting point! Daniel prophesied a "seven-times" (Daniel 4:23) span from the year 602 BC.
"Seven-times" is repeated three times in Daniel 4 which indicates that a hidden prophecy is contained here. Daniel 4:29 mentions "after twelve months" which calls our attention to the word 'month' or 'moonth' - and hints that the lunar (moon) calendar is in use for unsealing this prophecy. It states that "after twelve months" Nebuchadnezzar goes insane and "seven-times" are to pass over him.
A time is 360 years, a year of years. Seven times is 2520 'lunar' years ... which is 2445 solar years from 602 BC (1 solar year = 1.03069 lunar years). Accounting for the missing year zero in the common calendar, the date for the fulfillment of the "seven-times"
becomes 2445 - 602 + 1 = 1844 AD.
To confirm 602 BC as the starting point of this prophecy, we start with 605 BC - the year that Nebuchadnezzar became king. Daniel 2:1 says that in the second year of his reign (603 BC), Nebuchadnezzar began to have dreams. No further dates are given until Daniel 4:29 already sited, where it reads "after twelve months" when Nebuchadnezzar goes insane and the "seven-times" are to pass over him. The additional twelve months from 603 BC = 602 BC. (Courtesy of author Robert Riggs)
a. 2,520 is a number that has fascinated many religious scholars - Christian, Baha'i and others. 2,520 is the least common denominator of all integers (numbers 1 through 9). Half of 2,520 is 1,260. Numeric significance is often found in religious scripture. In the Christian book of Revelation, 1,260 is sited as a prophetic span of time.
1,260 is also the exact number of years (on the Muslim calender) between Islam and the Baha'i faith. The year 1260 on the Muslim calender is 1844 A.D. - the year that the Baha'i faith commenced. The numerical equivalent of "Baha" is 9. (9 is referred to by Baha'is as "the number of Baha.") 9 is the sum of 1,260 (1+2+6+0 = 9) as well as the sum of 2,520 (2+5+2+0= 9).
b. The Gospel states that Peter caught 153 fish: (John 21:11)
The sum of 1+5+3 = 9, (the number of Baha) and in Baha'u'llah's "Hidden Words" (one of His first books) He wrote exactly 153 passages. In scripture, food is often symbolic of spiritual food: How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread ... (Matthew 16:11). Could the 153 fish symbolize the spiritual food of the 153 Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah?
c. On March 21, 1844, astronomers discovered that Sirius, the brightest star observable to man, was not one but two stars that orbit one another. Could this have been a sign from the 'visible' heavens of the advent of the two Promised Ones from the 'invisible' heavens?: Know thou verily that many an astronomer hath announced the appearance of its star in the visible heaven. ... before the revelation of each of the Mirrors reflecting the divine Essence, the signs heralding their advent must needs be revealed in the visible heaven as well as in the invisible ... (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pages 65-66)
3. Islamic tradition prophesied the coming of a Prophet in the Islamic year "sixty" (i.e. '1260' on the Muslim calender ... or 1844 A.D.): According to the tradition, Mufaddal asked Sadiq saying: "What of the sign of His manifestation, O my master?" He made reply: "In the year sixty, His Cause shall be made manifest, and His Name shall be proclaimed." (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pgs 253-254)
a. The '3 1/2 times' prophecy of Daniel 7:25 refers to 1260 lunar years, just 1/2 of the "seven- times" of Daniel 4 (see #2 above). This referred to the lunar calendar of Islam that was to be in force at that moment. 1260 AH in the Muslim lunar calendar = 1844 AD. (The 1260 lunar years is again specified in Daniel 12:7) (Courtesy of author Robert Riggs)
4. Buddha promised to return 2,500 years after his birth in 560 B.C. (i.e. 1863 A.D. on the Muslim lunar calendar into which Baha'u'llah was born). Buddha also foretold the span between His teachings and Christ - 500 years! (Buddhism - Religion, Scripture Spirituality, Carmichael Carmichael, Inc. 1994)
5. American Indian traditions predicted a "Savior from the East" who was to inaugurate "a reign of peace" and "a new spiritual order" in the "13th Toltec Era," which began in 1844 A.D. Then a second promised one - a "great Spiritual Being" was expected to appear in "the twelfth tun," that is, between 1862 and 1863 A.D. (Motlagh, Hushidar: I Shall Come Again, pages 357-357. Global Perspective: Mt. Pleasant, MI 1992.)
a. Ancient Hopi Indian prophecies mention two religions that would come to the Americas. The first parallels Christianity. But while it was supposed to usher in unity, the prophecies state that if it fails, A SECOND RELIGION WOULD COME - and its followers would be known as "Bahani" - the people of Baha! ("North American Indian Prophecies" - a talk by Lee Brown; 1986 Continental Indigenous Council; Tanana Valley Fairgrounds; Fairbanks, Alaska)
b. Ancient Navajo chants refer to a rising sun in the east, that will inaugurate a New Day and a New Spirit. The chants refer to two signs of this New Spirit that people should look for. One sign is that of a 9 POINTED STAR. [Editor's note: Guess where I saw that star last night: the Dish announcing a Catholic program.] Like Baha'is, the Navajos associate the number 9 with "unity" - since all of the numbers are found in the number 9. A prominent Baha'i symbol is exactly that, a nine pointed star ... and the numerical significance of "Baha" is 9! A second sign is that there will be a great chief in the east who will wear (symbolically) a headress of 12 feathers. It is interesting that the Herald of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, is recognized by Baha'is as the 12th Imam of Islam. (Four Remarkable Indian Prophecies; Annie Kahn, Olin Karch, Blu Mundy; @1963 Naturegraph Co. Healdsburg, CA)
6. Joseph Smith learned in a vision that he was to herald the return of Christ. Smith indicated that this returned Christ spirit was already alive when he was having these visions. In 1831 Smith penned,"I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me ..." (Doctrine Covenants, section 38:7,8). The Bab and Baha'u'llah were both alive in 1831, but hadn't proclaimed themselves until 'soon' after (1844 and 1863)!
7. In Christianity, it was predicted that the spirit of Christ would return after the "times of the Gentiles" were fulfilled: (Luke 21:24). The Edict of Toleration already referred to above, signaled to many Christians last century the end of the "times of the Gentiles."
8. (Matthew 24:3)
Note:* "End of the World" ... The first Christian Bibles were written in Greek. The original Greek word used for "world" was "aion" - which meant "age" or "Messianic period" - and did not suggest the end of the "physical" world as some Christians who espouse a literal reading of the Bible (in its translated English versions) assert. The Greek word for the literal, physical world would have been "kosmos," but was never used in the Bible regarding the end times.
9. (Matthew 24:14)
a.'Christian missions began their activities amongst the African people in 1844.' (Year Book Guide to East Africa; Robert Hale Ltd.)
b. 'It was in 1842 that five treaty-ports in China were opened to commerce and to missions - advance steps in the opening of all China to the Gospel...' (Our Day in the Light of Prophecy; Spicer)
... after 19 centuries, the Gospel was finally being preached on all continents.
10. (Matthew 24:15) ... This passage in particular focused the attention of 19th century Christian scholars on the Jewish Book of Daniel. There we find:
11. (Daniel 9:24)
a. ...From this passage in particular, 19th century scholars anticipated 1843 and 1844 as the time of Christ's return. For it first confirmed Christ's own Mission:
b. (Numbers 14:34)
(Ezekiel 4:6)
c. 70 weeks = 490 days = 490 years
d. 490 years from when? (Daniel 9:24),(Ezra 7).
e. 457 B.C. + 490 years = 34 A.D. The most Holy, Jesus Christ, was anointed with His death and resurrection in approximately 34 AD. (This prophecy also allows for a 7 year ["one week"] margin of error to allow for the discrepancies by Biblical scholars as to the exact dates of Christ's birth, death and resurrection.)

12. The following passages from Daniel change the order of the prophetic weeks as found above, but the end result works out the same - with amazing precision:
a. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Mes-si'-ah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (i.e. 62 weeks)(Daniel 9:25-27)
b. 7 weeks = 49 years 62 weeks = 434 years 1 week = 7 years
c. 457 B.C. + 49 years = 408 B.C. Completion of rebuilding of Jerusalem under Edict
408 B.C. + 434 years = 27 A.D. (26 + missing year "0" A.D.) Christ begins public ministry
27 A.D. + within 7 years ("in the midst of the week") the sacrifice (i.e. Christ) ceases with Christ's death and resurrection.

13. And now it pinpoints from this same starting point (the Edict of 457 B.C.) what Biblical scholars of the 19th Century unequivocally believed to be the time of Christ's second coming:
a. (Daniel 8:13-14;17)
b. 2300 days = 2300 years ... 457 B.C. + 2300 years = 1844A.D.!!! (1843 + 1 for "0" A.D.)
Note: The 2300 'evenings and mornings' prophecy of Daniel 8:14 refers to exactly 2300 solar years and begins at the first of the Jewish month of Nissan 457 BC. The starting point of this and other prophecies is revealed by Gabriel in Daniel 9:25 (NIV)
The Persian decree was a document signed by the king (e.g. Daniel 6:8), and the first successful decree was that of Artaxerxes in 457 BC recorded in Ezra 7, and addended by the signed letter given to Nehemiah in Neh 2:8. (The restoration of the Temple implied the restoration of Jerusalem also.) The exact date of the "going forth" of the decree is given in Ezra 7:9 as the first of Nissan, 457 BC.
Computing the exact date implied by the 2300 exact years, and accounting for the missing zeroth year in the comon calendar, produces 2300 - 457 +1 = the first of Nissan, 1844 AD. This was the exact date of the Edict of Toleration that permitted the Jews to resettle the Holy Land. This Edict repealed the agreement between Caliph Umar I and Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, that banned the Jews from the Holy Land in 637 AD. The first of Nissan, 1844, was the end date of "the time of the Gentiles." (Courtesy of author Robert Riggs)
14. Consider how the prophecies correspond to one another. In the Apocalypse, the appearance of the Promised One is appointed after forty-two months, and Daniel expresses it as three times and a half, which is also forty-two months, which are twelve hundred and sixty days. In another passage of John's Revelation it is clearly spoken of as twelve hundred and sixty days, and in the Holy Book it is said that each day signifies one year. Nothing could be clearer than this agreement of the prophecies with one another. The Bab appeared in the year 1260 of the Hejira of Muhammad, which is the beginning of the universal era-reckoning of all Islam. There are no clearer proofs than this in the Holy Books for any Manifestation. For him who is just, the agreement of the times indicated by the tongues of the Great Ones is the most conclusive proof. There is no other possible explanation of these prophecies. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, page 71)

No. As Christians worldwide awaited a 'physical' return of Jesus, they failed to recognize the 'spirit' of Christ in Baha'u'llah.
1. Many Christian scholars and clergymen confidently predicted that Jesus would physically return between 1843 and 1844. When Jesus did not physically return, historians dubbed this period in Christian history the time of "The Great Disappointment."
a. William Miller, a Baptist preacher, organized an Adventist group known as the "Millerites" in anticipation of Christ's return in 1843/1844. Today's Seventh Day Adventist Church and other Adventist churches as well trace their origins to William Miller and his teachings.
b. In the middle of the 19th century, a Christian Adventist group known as The Templars moved thousands of miles from their homeland in Germany to the foot of Mount Carmel in Palestine to await the return of the physical Jesus. Their descendants still live there!
2. The Baha'i Faith was inaugurated in the twin prophetic years of 1844 and 1863 A.D. The Baha'i Faith fulfilled prophecies of all peoples and religions. The purpose of this presentation is only to encourage you to question the truth of this assertion. Baha'is believe in the oneness of religion and do not believe that one must be Baha'i in order to be "saved." Salvation is ultimately between the individual and God. However, the Baha'i teachings offer to all of humanity divine love and guidance for this "new era."
3. The eye of My loving-kindness weepeth sore over you, inasmuch as ye have failed to recognize the One upon Whom ye have been calling in the daytime and in the night season, at even and at morn. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 56)
4. God hath made His Own Self known unto you, but ye have failed to recognize Him; and the thing which will, on the Day of Judgement, turn you aside from God is the specious character of your deeds. Throughout your lives ye follow your religion in order to attract the good-pleasure of God, yet on the Last Day ye shut yourselves out from God and turn away from Him Who is your Promised One. (The Bab: Selections from the Bab, page 140)
5. Once more hath the eternal Spirit breathed into the mystic trumpet, and caused the dead to speed out of their sepulchres of heedlessness and error unto the realm of guidance and grace. And yet, that expectant community still crieth out: When shall these things be? When shall the promised One, the object of our expectation, be made manifest ... (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pages 26-27)

No. God "seals" the prophecies until their appointed time. We can only fully understand them in hindsight once they are "unsealed" (explained) by the prophet whose coming they foretell.
1. (Daniel 12:4)
2. (Daniel 12:9)
3. (Isaiah 29:10,11)
4. (John 3:31)
5. (1 Cor2:5)
6. (1 Corinthians 17;19)
7. (2 Peter 1:20)
8. (2 Peter 3:16)
9. (Romans 3:10,11)
10. Unto every DISCERNING observer it is evident and manifest that had these people in the days of each of the Manifestations of the SUN OF TRUTH sanctified their eyes, their ears, and their hearts from whatever they had seen, heard, and felt, they surely would not have been deprived of beholding the beauty of God ... But having weighed the testimony of God by the standard of their own knowledge, gleaned from the teachings of the leaders of their faith, and found it at variance with their limited understanding, they arose to perpetrate such unseemly acts. ... (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 18-19)

To challenge us!
1. (Proverbs 25:2)
2. (Matthew 13:13)
3. (Matthew 13:16)
4. (Matthew 3:12)
5. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
6. (Hebrews 11:6)
7. Judge fairly: Were the prophecies recorded in the Gospel to be literally fulfilled; were Jesus, SON OF MARY, ACCOMPANIED BY ANGELS, to descend from the visible heaven upon the clouds; who would dare to disbelieve, who would dare to reject the truth, and wax disdainful? Nay, such consternation would immediately seize all the dwellers of the earth that no soul would feel able to utter a word, much less to reject or accept the truth. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 80-81)
8. Know verily that the purpose underlying all these symbolic terms and abstruse allusions, which emanate from the Revealers of God's holy Cause, hath been to test and prove the peoples of the world; that thereby the earth of the pure and illuminated hearts may be known from the perishable and barren soil. From time immemorial such hath been the way of God amidst His creatures, and to this testify the records of the sacred books. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 49)

Until the prophecies are unsealed, we cannot know for certain which prophecies have symbolic significance and which have more literal explanations.

1. With the imminent advent of the Promised One, prophecies begin to gradually unfold, until they are completely "unsealed" ONLY by Him. Christ said the sheep would know their shepherd by his voice. After we are attracted to his voice, we may test him to see if he is our true shepherd or an imposter. Only after listening to the proofs set forth by the Promised One can we discern with our minds and hearts if the prophecies as a whole are fulfilled.
2. (John 10:3,4 NIV).
3. (Luke 24:27)
4. One language, the outward language, is devoid of allusions, is unconcealed and unveiled; that it may be a guiding lamp and a beaconing light whereby wayfarers may attain the heights of holiness, and seekers may advance into the realm of eternal reunion. ... The other language is veiled and concealed, so that whatever lieth hidden in the heart of the malevolent may be made manifest and their innermost being be disclosed. ... "God verily will test them and sift them." This is the divine standard, this is the Touchstone of God, wherewith He proveth His servants. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pages 254-255)
5. (1 Thess 5:20).
6. (John 7:51)
7. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10)
8. ...the pure in heart will find only the fragrance of My love, only My Name that overshadoweth all that seeth and is seen. Say: Turn ye, O people, unto that which hath proceeded from My Most Exalted Pen. Should ye inhale therefrom the fragrance of God, set not yourselves against Him, nor deny yourselves a portion of His gracious favour and His manifold bestowals. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pages 84-85)
9. (Acts 2:17)
a. * "Last" is from the original Greek word "eschatos" which was often applied with a sense of contiguity. The Greek word for "day(s)" was "hemera," which often had figurative meaning. It often referred to a "period" or "age" and not a literal 24 hour span. Eg: (Matthew 24:37)
b. Joseph Smith ('Mormons') was a young man of 14 when he had visions. In 1831, when both The Bab and Baha'u'llah were alive and as Joseph Smith and his followers were in the midst of fierce persecution, Smith penned these words: "...the veil of darkness shall soon be rent" (Doctrine & Covenants, sec 38:8). Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844.
c. Also in 1844, the veil of darkness was rent. The Bab declared His Revelation on May 23, 1844. The Baha'i Faith commenced in this very year. 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke of others who likewise were attracted to Baha'u'llah prior to the Declaration of the Bab: "...those whose hearts were drawn to Baha'u'llah before the Declaration of the Bab..." (`Abdu'l-Baha: Memorials of the Faithful, page 49)

Many 'assume' from reading the Bible literally that Christ would return "in the flesh." But Scripture repeatedly emphasized the supremacy of the spirit over the flesh regarding return.
1. Although Christ is presented as having "flesh" in verse "a" below, in verse "b" it is emphatically stated that "flesh" can not inherit the kingdom of God. Perhaps the flesh of Christ referred symbolically to the life (flesh) of the early Church itself (see "c"):
a. (Luke 24:39)
b. (1 Corinthians 15: 50)
c. (Ephesians 5:30)
2. (1 Corinthians 15:44)
3. (John 8:14,15)
Note: The verb "come" is from the original Greek "eltho"; it does not necessarily signify a physical "coming" or return, but has a great variety of figurative applications such as "appear."
4. ... When the CHANNEL OF THE HUMAN SOUL is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude. Therein he will discern the wonders of His ancient Wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings from the rustling leaves of the Tree that flourisheth in that City. With both his inner and outer ear, he will hear from its dust the hymns of glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye will he discover the mysteries of "return" and "REVIVAL." (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 268-269)
5. (Revelation 3:3)
Note: The verb "come" above is from the original Greek "heko" - which has figurative meanings (in addition to its literal definitions) - eg. "to be present."
6. (Hebrews 5:7). Note the past tense in referring to Christ's days of his flesh!
7. Know thou, moreover, that the Word of God - exalted be His glory - is higher and far superior to that which the senses can perceive, for it is sanctified from any property or substance. It transcendeth the limitations of known elements and is exalted above all the essential and recognized substances. It became manifest without any syllable or sound and is none but the Command of God which pervadeth all created things. It hath never been withheld from the world of being. It is God's all-pervasive grace, from which all grace doth emanate. It is an entity far removed above all that hath been and shall be. (Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, pages 140-141)

BUT WOULDN'T CHRIST PHYSICALLY DESCEND TO EARTH

JUST AS HE PHYSICALLY ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN

No. On the contrary, the Bible offers us ample evidence that Christ's ascension was not to be understood literally, but spiritually (yet equally true):
1. Concerning Christ's ascension into heaven and a correlation to His 'spiritual' descent. (Note: The Greek word used for "ascended" [anabaino] had many figurative meanings.):
a. (Ephesians 4:9)
b. (John 3:13) ... How can Christ be on earth and in heaven simultaneously? The figurative meaning here is obvious.

Note: SOME RECENT BIBLE TRANSLATIONS HAVE CHANGED "even" to "except." In the original Greek, "even" translates to "also," "in addition to," etc. It does not translate to "except."

c. Paul clearly explained that to 'ascend' and 'descend' are symbolic and not literal terms: (Romans 10:6,7)
2. Elijah never physically descended from heaven. However, Christ indicated that John the Baptist was the promised return of Elijah - in spirit (see "L"). The following Biblical passage concerning Elijah's physical ascension into heaven may therefore be interpreted symbolically: (1 Chronicles 2:11)
3. (John 6:42)
a. It is evident that the bread of which the disciples ate and were filled was the heavenly bounty; for ... it is said: "For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." It is clear that the body of Christ did not descend from heaven, but it came from the womb of Mary; and that which descended from the heaven of God was the spirit of Christ. As the Jews thought that Christ spoke of His body, they made objections, for it is said ... "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?" (`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, pages 97-98)
b. In the day of Christ all nations were expecting that His Holiness Christ should come from heaven, and He came from heaven, though outwardly He came from the womb of Mary. Hence, He hath said in the Gospels: "No one shall ascend to heaven except the one who hath come from heaven." Now all the people expect Him to come from heaven. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i World Faith, page 387)
c. The purpose of the prophetic words was not the outward or literal meaning, but the inner symbolical significance. For example, it was announced that the Messiah was to come from an unknown place. This did not refer to the birthplace of the physical body of Jesus. It has reference to the reality of the Christ - that is to say, the Christ reality was to appear from the invisible realm - for the divine reality of Christ is holy and sanctified above place. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 199)

No. A close perusal of the Gospel shows that even THE RESURRECTION WAS NOT PHYSICAL (but real!):
1. Concerning Christ's spiritual (non-physical) resurrection: (Matthew 12:39-41)
Notes: Nin'-e-veh is in modern day Iran - the birthplace of the Baha'i faith. Many of today's Christians believe in a "physical" resurrection of Christ's body "after three days and three nights." However, if read literally, Christ's resurrection occurred after only two nights - Friday and Saturday nights. Could the men of Nin'-e-veh refer to the Baha'is who have come "in judgement with this generation" (i.e. Christians)? Baha'is uphold the Spiritual Resurrection as did most early Christians, but not a physical resurrection that can be attributed to mythology and the spirit of the antiChrist that evidently was a problem even during Christ's days:
* (1 Timothy 1:3,4 NIV)
* (John 6:63)
* (1 John 2:18)
2. As Baha'is believe in the Gospel as the Word of God, we find truth for the three days and three nights that Christ prophesied. Understood non-physically but no less true, perhaps Christ was referring to His Body - the 'church' of His followers, being scattered on Thursday night, and remaining 'spiritually dead' until three full days and nights later - Sunday!
a. (Matthew 26:31) Note: "this night" is generally understood by Biblical scholars to be Thursday night, the so called night of the "Last Supper."
b. That the church is Christ's body: (Colossians 1:18), (Romans 12:5)
3. That the resurrection of Christ was not a physical reality: (1 Peter 3:18 NIV),
(2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV), (Philippians 1:23,24 NIV), (2 Peter 1:14)
4. That spiritual visions are not less real, merely because they are not physical: ... Among spiritual souls there are spiritual understandings, discoveries, a communion which is purified from imagination and fancy, an association which is sanctified from time and place. So it is written in the Gospel that, on Mount Tabor, Moses and Elias came to Christ, and it is evident that this was not a material meeting. It was a spiritual condition which is expressed as a physical meeting. ... What we mean is that this state, which we call the converse and communications of spirits, is of two kinds: one is simply imaginary, and the other is like the visions which are mentioned in the Holy Book, such as the revelations of St. John and Isaiah and the meeting of Christ with Moses and Elias. These are real, and produce wonderful effects in the minds and thoughts of men, and cause their hearts to be attracted. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, pages 252-254)
5. (1 Corinthians 2:10) . . . Could there be a deeper meaning to these three days and three nights?: One day of Christ could be viewed as the 'Messianic age' from Christianity until the NEXT MESSIANIC AGE - ISLAM. That would be from 1 A.D. until 622 A.D. - a 621 year span. Three such days (ages) equals 1863 A.D. - the year that Baha'u'llah announced His Mission to the world!
6. Being "raised" from the dead was not unique to Jesus. It apparently was a Biblical concept that had figurative (yet very real) meaning - and one that pre-dated Jesus:
a. (Hebrews 11:35) ... This verse was written about women who lived many years before Christ.
b. (Ephesians 2:4-6) ... This verse concerned those physically alive "during" Christ's days on earth - the figurative meaning is therefore obvious.
7. (John 11:25,26)
8. "In every age and century, the purpose of the Prophets of God and their chosen ones hath been no other but to affirm the spiritual significance of the terms 'life,' 'resurrection,' and 'judgment.' " (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 120)
9. ... Attainment unto such presence is possible only in the Day of Resurrection, which is the Day of the rise of God Himself through His all-embracing Revelation. This is the meaning of the "Day of Resurrection," spoken of in all the scriptures, and announced unto all people. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 143)

Yes - Christ taught that John the Baptist was the spiritual return of Elijah (E-li'-as):
1.(Matthew 17:11/13)
2.But John the Baptist denied he was E-li'-as: And they asked him, What then? Art thou E- li'-as? No. (John 1:21)
Note: Christ taught His disciples to glean the spiritual meaning of "return" from Scripture. John's literal (yet also valid) response regarding himself supports the fact that Christ viewed John as the spiritual return of Elijah, and not a literal return or reincarnation.
3. O brother, behold how the inner mysteries of "rebirth," of "return," and of "resurrection" have each, through these all-sufficing, these unanswerable, and conclusive utterances, been unveiled and unravelled before thine eyes. God grant that through His gracious and invisible assistance, thou mayest divest thy body and soul of the old garment, and array thyself with the new and imperishable attire. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 158)
4. In like manner, endeavour to grasp the significance of "return," "revelation," and "resurrection," as witnessed in the days of the Manifestations of the divine Essence, that thou mayest behold with thine own eyes the "return" of the holy souls into sanctified and illumined bodies, and mayest wash away the dust of ignorance, and cleanse the darkened self with the waters of mercy flowing from the Source of divine Knowledge; that perchance thou mayest, through the power of God and the light of divine guidance, distinguish the Morn of everlasting splendour from the darksome night of error. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pages 151-152)

No. CHRIST WARNED US NOT TO BELIEVE 'ANYONE' BEARING THE NAME "CHRIST." And there are various prophecies regarding a "NEW NAME" BY WHICH BELIEVERS WILL BE KNOWN:
1.(Matthew 24:23)
2.(Isaiah 65:15)
3. (Revelations 3:11-13)
4. (Revelations 2:17)
5. (Revelation 14:14), (Daniel 7:13) (note that the above two passages indicate one 'like' the Son of man - not the Son of man Himself.
6. (Matthew 1:22-25)
Note: A Jewish prophecy foretold one called, "Emmanuel." Joseph, not bound by a literal understanding of that prophecy, called his son, "Jesus" and not Emmanuel! Why then do many Christians demand the name "Jesus" upon His return?

Yes. We find "the gate" and "the glory of his Father" in various prophecies.
1. The Bab is Arabic for "the gate," and Baha'u'llah is Arabic for "the glory of the Father." ("Baha" means "glory" and "u'llah" means "of God [the Father]."):
2. (Matthew 16:27)
3. (Isaiah 62:2-4)
Note: The above associates "a new name" with the time when Jerusalem is no longer "desolate" - which clearly places this prophecy well after the inception of Christianity. In Arabic Bibles, "Jalal" is the actual word used for "glory." (Jalal is virtually interchangeable with Baha.)
4. (John 10:2 NIV)
Note: The Prophet always has an auxiliary: Christ/John the Baptist; Moses/Aaron; Abraham/Lot; Muhammad/Ali; The Bab/Baha'u'llah. Baha'u'llah was heralded by The Bab ("enters by the gate") as Christ was heralded by John the Baptist. Just as The Bab heralded Baha'u'llah, so did the former Prophets. Christ identified Himself as the "gate" and "the Shepherd." The above may indicate that Christ was also a "gate" to Baha'u'llah.
5. `Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful!' We, in truth, have sent Him Whom We aided with the Holy Spirit (Jesus Christ) that He may announce unto you this Light that hath shone forth from the horizon of the will of your Lord, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, and Whose signs have been revealed in the West. (Baha'u'llah: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, page 47)
6. To Him Jesus Christ had referred as the "Prince of this world," as the "Comforter" Who will "reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," as the "Spirit of Truth" Who "will guide you into all truth," Who "shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak," as the "Lord of the Vineyard," and as the "Son of Man" Who "shall come in the glory of His Father" "in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," with "all the holy angels" about Him, and "all nations" gathered before His throne. (Shoghi Effendi: God Passes By, page 95)
7. O concourse of divines! When My verses were sent down, and My clear tokens were revealed, We found you behind the veils. This, verily, is a strange thing. Ye glory in My Name, yet ye recognized Me not at the time your Lord, the All-Merciful, appeared amongst you with proof and testimony. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 79)
8. Beware lest any name debar you from Him Who is the Possessor of all names ... (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 80)

IF THE VERY NAMES OF THE BAB AND BAHA'ULLAH CAN BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE,

WHY DOESN'T CHRISTIANITY RECOGNIZE THEM?

For one, Christianity fails to recognize the spirit of this new Revelation because of a LITERAL READING of the Bible espoused by many of today's Christians.
1. As humanity's scientific precision has increased during the last several centuries, it has accordingly forged a scientific/literal understanding of Scripture. Scripture was not written in a scientific climate like today's, and NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE ARE WE INSTRUCTED TO READ IT LITERALLY. In fact, we have parables and statements that emphasize a non-literal interpretation of Scripture.
2. In fact, whenever Christ spoke to anyone 'outside' of His close circle of followers, He tells us that He spoke in parables. Some of Christ's statements that are taken today as literal truth, such as the three days and nights that Christ said He would be in the tomb, were therefore revealed as 'parables,' since Christ was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees in this example.
a. (Mark 4:10,11)
3. (Matthew 11:15) ... Christ said this to the multitudes after indicating that John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecies of the return of Elijah - - - non-literally!
4. (Luke 24:45)
5. (Colossians 1:9)
6. In such utterances, the literal meaning, as generally understood by the people, is not what hath been intended. Thus it is recorded: "EVERY KNOWLEDGE HATH SEVENTY MEANINGS, of which one only is known amongst the people. And when the Qa'im shall arise, He shall reveal unto men all that which remaineth." (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 255)
7. (1 John 4:5,6)
8. (1 Corinthians 1:19)
9. (2 Timothy 4:3,4 NIV)
10. (John 4:24)
11. (Matthew 16:3)
12. (Micah 5:2 NIV)
Note: Matthew 2:2-6 indicates that this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus: ...Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ... And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem ... for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
a. Yet, there is no literal fulfillment: (John 18:36)
13. Assuredly we are today living in the Days of God. These are the glorious days on the like of which the sun hath never risen in the past. These are the days which the people in bygone times eagerly expected. What hath then befallen you that ye are fast asleep? These are the days wherein God hath caused the DAY-STAR OF TRUTH to shine resplendent. What hath then caused you to keep your silence? These are the appointed days which ye have been yearningly awaiting in the past - the days of the advent of divine justice. (The Bab: Selections from the Bab, page 161)

IF SOME INSIST THE ENTIRE BIBLE IS LITERALLY ACCURATE, HOW DO THEY

RECTIFY THE FOLLOWING DISCREPANCIES?

The following discrepancies (and others) are diligently rationalized by those who uphold a literal understanding of Scripture:
1. There are two creation stories in Genesis that chronologically contradict one another (Genesis 1 and Genesis 2). Genesis 1 is the familiar 'seven day' creation story. Below is a simplified sequence of God's creation as found in Genesis 1:
Day 1- light (light is then separated from darkness)
Day 2- sky (the sky separates two great expanses of water)
Day 3- land, seas ... and vegetation
Day 4- the sun, moon and stars (light is separated from darkness again)
Day 5- water creatures (fish) and birds
Day 6- animals ... then man (both male and female)
Day 7- God rested
Genesis 2 is the familiar creation story of 'Adam and Eve.' There are no specific days mentioned, but the sequence contradicts the sequence found in Genesis 1. Below is a simplified ordering of God's creation as found in Genesis 2:
Earth, heaven, water from the earth, man (Adam) from the dust (earth), the Garden of Eden and trees, beasts of the field and birds, Eve (from Adam's rib).
2. In Genesis 1, note that God created the Sun on the 4th "day." However, there could not be a 4th day until after God created our sun: ... we read in Genesis in the Old Testament that the lifetime of creation is but six thousand years. This has an inner meaning and significance; it is not to be taken literally. For instance, it is said in the Old Testament that certain things were created in the first day. The narrative shows that at that time the sun was not yet created. How could we conceive of a day if no sun existed in the heavens? (`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 463)
3. In the following two Biblical verses note that five sons are listed but six are counted!: (1 Chronicles 3:22), (1 Chronicles 25:3)

4. In Proverbs, one passage tells us to trust in our heart, while another tells us that he who trusts in his heart is a fool. The intended meaning is apparent, but not when read literally:

a. (Proverbs 3:5)
b. (Proverbs 28:26)
5. The following words are obviously not to be understood literally!:(Luke 14:26)
6. Concerning the subject of circumcision, St. Paul wrote of his wish that certain Jews cut off (mutilate) their genitals: I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves! (Galatians 5:12 RSV) Surely, the spiritual meaning supersedes the literal!
7. Though the fall of man is blamed on the eating of the 'forbidden fruit' (Genesis 3), Christ said, (Matthew 15:11)
8. There is a math error in the number of generations listed from David to "the carrying away into Babylon."
Matthew counts fourteen generations but lists fifteen generations!:
... and David (1) the king begat Solomon (2) of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam (3); and Roboam begat Abia (4); and Abia begat Asa (5); And Asa begat Josaphat (6); and Josaphat begat Joram (7); and Joram begat Ozias (8); And Ozias begat Joatham (9); and Joatham begat Achaz (10); and Achaz begat Ezekias (11); And Ezekias begat Manasses (12); and Manasses begat Amon (13); and Amon begat Josias (14); And Josias begat Jechonias (15) and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon ... So all the generations from ... David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen (15!) generations ... (Matthew 1:6-11,17)
9. How do we explain the discrepancies in the four Gospels concerning the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ?:
a. Who carried Christ's cross?:
Matthew, Mark, Luke: In the three synoptic Gospels, Simon from Cyrene is seized and forced to carry Christ's cross. (Matthew 27:32)
John: Jesus carries His own cross. (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)." (John 19:17)
b. When was Christ crucified?:
Mark:(Mark 15:25) John: (12 Noon), (John 19:14,16)
c. What was inscribed on Christ's cross?:
MATTHEW: (Matthew 27:37)
MARK: (Mark 15:26)
LUKE: (Luke 23:38)
JOHN: (John 19:19)
d. A violent earthquake was mentioned: Only in Matthew!
e. Who first visited Christ's tomb on Sunday morning?:
Matthew: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
Mark: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome
Luke: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others John: Mary Magdalene
f. Who was present at the empty tomb?:
Matthew: An angel of the Lord rolled back the stone and was found sitting on it.
Mark: A young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side.
Luke: Two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them in the tomb.
John: Two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been.
g. Who entered the tomb?:
Matthew, Mark, Luke: The women present
John: Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and John
h. How was Judas killed?:
Matthew: (Matthew 27:5 NIV)
Acts: (Acts 1:18 NIV)
i. Did the women tell others what happened?:
Matthew, Luke, John - Yes: (Matthew 28:8 NIV)
Mark - No: (Mark 16:8 NIV)
10. In Matthew 1:16 Joseph's father is listed as Jacob, but in Luke 3:23, Joseph's father is Heli.

Because Christianity failed to acknowledge Islam (as prophesied - also see "R-2a" ).
1. Inasmuch as the Christian divines have failed to apprehend the meaning of these words, and did not recognize their object and purpose, and have clung to the literal interpretation of the words of Jesus, they therefore became deprived of the streaming grace of the Muhammadan Revelation and its showering bounties. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 26)
2. To understand the following passages from Daniel concerning the actual "abomination of desolation," Islam must first be recognized:
a. How long to the end of these wonders? (Daniel 12: 6-7) (3 1/2 times = 3 1/2 prophetic years = 1260 days = 1260 years)
b.The exact duration between Islam and the Baha'i Faith is 1,260 years. The year 1260 on the Islamic calendar is 1844 A.D. - the year the Baha'i Faith began!
3. (Daniel 12:11) (1290 days ... i.e. 1290 prophetic years)
a. The 1290 days are 1290 lunar years from the First Public Declaration of Muhammad until the First Public Declaration of Baha'u'llah. The First Public Declaration of Muhammad was in the year 9-10 B.H. (before the Hegira). Accounting for the missing year in the Muslim calendar (there is no zeroth year), the year 1290 from Muhammad' s First Public Declaration was 1280 A.H. This was the year 1863-64 A.D. (Courtesy author Robert Riggs; 'Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, p 44)
4. ... Christian theologians are perplexed by the two time spans of 1260 and 1290 years found in both the book of Daniel and Revelations. They are understood comprehensively only by embracing Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith inclusively, and by calculating time with slightly shorter lunar years that are employed on the Islamic calender.

Yes:
1. (Genesis 17:6)
Note: Abraham was father to both Ishmael and Isaac. In Genesis we read that Ishmael was sent back east, and is today recognized by Muslims as ancestor to Muhammad and the people of Islam. Isaac remained in Canaan where his descendants became the people of Judaism.
2. (Revelation 11:3-11)
a. Two witnesses = Muhammad and His cousin Ali
Clothed in sackcloth = means 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 that of the Pentateuch.
Two olive trees/candlesticks = lights of Divine guidance
Their dead bodies shall lie in the street = "Their bodies" means the Religion of God (eg. Body of Christ), in this case Islam, and "shall lie in the street" refers to the empty body of Islam under the Umayyads, which was like a dead body - without a spirit. After 3 1/2 days the Spirit of life from God entered into them = 3 1/2 days = 3 1/2 years = 1260 days = 1260 years = Spirit enters Baha'i Faith 1260 years after Islam (1844)!
3. (Revelation 12: 1-6)(NIV),(Revelation 12:14)
a. The woman symbolizes a religion ("bride" in Biblical writings = Law of God)
The sun & moon represented the two nations that were then under the shadow of Islam - The Persian and Ottoman kingdoms. The symbol of Islam is the sun and moon!
emblem of Persia = sun
emblem of Ottoman Empire = crescent moon
The twelve stars = twelve Imams of Islam
"she being with child cried" = difficulties endured by Islam until a perfect offspring was produced from within the cradle of Islam - the Bab.
seven heads and seven crowns = 7 dominions under Umayyad Dynasty of Islam:
1. Damascus 2. Persia 3. Arabia 4. Egypt 5. Africa 6. Andalusia 7. Turkestan
ten horns = Ten names of the Umayyad rulers of these seven dominions
desert (NIV) = wilderness of Arabia, the great desert, where the Law of Islam was set up
1,260 days = 1260 prophetic years . . . The Islamic year 1260 A.H. equals 1844 A.D. -
The year that the Baha'i Faith commenced with the Declaration of the Bab.

ARE THE BAB AND BAHA'ULLAH RELATED TO EARLIER BIBLICAL PROPHETS

AND IS THEIR HOMELAND - PERSIA (THE BIBLICAL "EAST") - MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE?

Yes - in fulfillment of prophecy:
1. Abraham, from whose descendants came a succession of prophets (David, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah) was born in Ur in present day Iraq.
a. He later traveled to Palestine where Israel was born. Baha'u'llah declared His mission near the birthplace of Abraham (Baghdad). Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah are all descendants of Abraham. (Baha'u'llah is descended through Abraham's wife, Katura.) Baha'u'llah was later banished by authorities from Baghdad to Palestine - where the Baha'is now have their world center on top of Mount Carmel - in fulfillment of yet other prophecies: (Isaiah 2:2)
2. (Psalms 132:11)
. . . Like other prophets, The Bab and Baha'u'llah are both descendants of David.
3. (Isaiah 11:1) . . . Baha'u'llah is a descendant of Jesse (the father of the Biblical David).
4. (Jeremiah 49:38)
E'-lam is the province in Persia near Shiraz, the birthplace of the Bab.
5. ...that I was at Shu'-shan in the palace, which is in the province of E'-lam (Persia); and I saw in a vision . . . (Daniel 8:2)
Daniel's visions of the return came to him while he was in modern day Persia.
6. (Micah 7:12 KJV)
... he shall come even to thee from Assyria, - The birthplace of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
... and from the fortified cities, - Baha'u'llah was exiled first to Constantinople and then to Akka in Israel - both are fortified cities.
... and from the fortress even to the river, - Baha'u'llah went from the prison where He was held for two years in Akka to an island in a river called Na'mayn.
... and from sea to sea, - On the way to Constantinople, Baha'u'llah made the last part of his journey by way of the Black Sea. And on His way to Akka, Baha'u'llah made the last part of that journey by way of the Mediterranean Sea.
... and from mountain to mountain. - Baha'u'llah withdrew prior to beginning his public mission (just as Jesus did) to commune with God in the Kurdistani mountains near Baghdad. (This was His first place of exile.) When he returned to Baghdad, he announced his mission publicly to the people. The second mountain was Mount Carmel in Israel near Haifa, where He journeyed to and where is found today the world center of the Baha'i Faith - Universal House of Justice.
Note: Biblical scholars are not in agreement over the various versions of Micah 7, so the above may be rejected as an unauthentic rendering of Micah 7 by some.
7. The great spiritual lights have always appeared in the East. The Blessed Perfection, Baha'u'llah, appeared in the East. Jesus Christ dawned upon the horizon of the East. Moses, Aaron, Joseph and all the Israelitish prophets such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and others appeared from the Orient. The lights of Muhammad and the Bab shone from the East. The eastern horizon has been flooded with the effulgence of these great lights, and only from the East have they risen to shine upon the West. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 23)
8 (Mat 2:1,2) The magi ("wise men") are believed by scholars to have been Zoroastrians from Persia "in the east."
9. ... the glory (Baha) (Ezekiel 43:2)

No. Rather than His glory being set aside, numerous passages depict Christ as having already appeared in "glory."
1. Are Christians making the same mistake that the contemporaries of Christ made? Are they looking for an earthly, literal glory just as those during Christ's days sought an earthly, literal king to sit on the throne of David?
Note: The word "glory" appears in the Gospel over 170 times. The word glory in the original Greek is "doxa" which means "dignity, honor and praise."
Did Christ truly "set aside" this glory - this dignity, honor and praise? Peter wrote: (2 Peter 3:18).
2. The Authors of the Bible freely integrated Christ's "glory" with His "salvation." They coexist. Isaiah wrote about Christ's first coming in the following words: (Isaiah 40:3-5)
3. Then Luke, having no problem with associating the "glory of the Lord" in the above verse with Christ, even changed Isaiah's "glory of the Lord" to "salvation of God!(Luke 3:4-6)
4. Christ is also associated in the Gospels with the "suffering servant" of Isaiah. It is worth noting that the word "servant" in the original Greek when referring to Christ is "pais". This word connotes a "servant to a minister of a king." Another Greek word for servant, "doulos," means servant as a "slave" in subjection. This latter word for servant - as used mistakenly by some scholars to describe Christ - is actually used throughout the Bible when referring to just that - literal slaves and servants, and not to Christ.
5. "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. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 67)
6. Below are several passages describing that Christ 'already' appeared in "glory" (doxa) - dignity, honor and praise - and thus refute the argument that Christ did not come in glory: (Luke 2:9), (Luke 2:30,32), (Luke 19:38), (John 1:14), (John 2:11), (John 17:5), (John 17:22), (2 Cor. 3:18), (Galatians 1:5), (2 Tim. 2:10), (Hebrews 13:21), (1 Peter 5:11)

no - Not according to scripture:

1. (Luke 17:20,21)
"... not with observation." Why not listen to Christ's own words, and realize that the kingdom of God is within us - and look for Christ's return "within" the human temple of Baha'u'llah? Is God incapable of revealing Christ's most holy spirit through the agency of another human temple? Could God not reveal Christ's spirit through Baha'u'llah?
2. (Rev 1:7)

Note: "Cometh" is from the Greek "eltho," which often has the figurative meaning of "appear," and not always a literal definition.
a. 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. ... This is what is meant by the words: "coming in the clouds of heaven." (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, page 67)
3. (Colossians 1:23)
a. As the Gospel was not literally preached to "every creature" under heaven during Paul's ministry, why not also read "all eyes" with equal symbolism?
b. 'Abdu'l-Baha explained that faith is of two kinds - objective and subjective. Though not literally preached to every creature, the spiritual truth of the Gospel was in fact universal: Thou hast written of a verse in the Gospels, asking if at the time of Christ all souls did hear His call. Know that faith is of two kinds. The first is objective faith that is expressed by the outer man, obedience of the limbs and senses. The other faith is subjective, and unconscious obedience to the will of God. There is no doubt that, in the day of a Manifestation such as Christ, all contingent beings possessed subjective faith and had unconscious obedience to His Holiness Christ. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i World Faith, page 364)
4. (Luke 3:5,6) ... Not "all flesh" saw the salvation of Christ during the above referenced days of John the Baptist. And certainly not every valley was filled, etc., in a literal sense.
5. John claims that only Christ has seen God: (John 6:46) But John also said: (John 12:45). Spiritual vision is evidently referred to by John. Besides, Job stated that he had 'seen' God: (Job 42:5)
6. Paul explains spiritual vision:(2 Cor. 4:18)
7. Paul described Moses "seeing" with spiritual vision: (Hebrews 11:27)
8. Open thine eyes, that thou mayest behold this glorious Vision, and recognize Him Whom thou invokest in the daytime and in the night season, and gaze on the Light that shineth above this luminous Horizon. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pg 51)
9. Baha'u'llah describes how to attain spiritual vision: "O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his heart,which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments. He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth." (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 264)
10. Peter claimed that the following signs have already been fulfilled *symbolically* by Christ: (see Acts 2:14-22)

Yes - through Christ's divine spirit - but not through His mere human frame!

1. Christ even may have hinted of future Manifestations: (John 9:5)
2. Otherwise all religions would contradict one another:

Hinduism (date unknown): "He that hath meditated Me alone, In putting off his flesh, comes forth to Me." (Krishna: Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter VIII)
Judaism (13th Century BC?): "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
Buddhism (560 BC): "This is the path. There is no other that leads to vision." (Buddha)
Christianity (1 AD): "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
Islam (622AD): "Surely, the guidance of ALLAH is the only true guidance and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of all the worlds." (Koran 6:72)
Baha'i (1844 AD): "The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead ..." (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 19)
3. "It is clear and evident to thee that all the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause of God, Who have appeared clothed in divers attire. If thou wilt observe with discriminating eyes, thou wilt behold Them all abiding in the same tabernacle, soaring in the same heaven, seated upon the same throne, uttering the same speech, and proclaiming the same Faith. Such is the unity of those Essences of Being, those Luminaries of infinite and immeasurable splendor! Wherefore, should one of these Manifestations of Holiness proclaim saying: "I am the return of all the Prophets," He, verily, speaketh the truth. In like manner, in every subsequent Revelation, the return of the former Revelation is a fact, the truth of which is firmly established. ..." (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 52)
4. Christian Scripture also indicates other paths to God: (John 14:2), (Matthew 25:26)
(Ephesians 4:6)
Note: World is from (Greek) "kosmos" which has literal and figurative meaning. Used figuratively to indicate the inhabitants of the world. Could Christ have prophesied that He would be the light of the world until a future time when He no longer is in the hearts of Christians?

No - He passed the tests that the Bible provides us with to prove the prophets:
1. (2 John 1:7) When Jesus Christ did not appear 'bodily' in 1844, the disillusioned Christian Adventists recalculated the dates. When Jesus still failed to return, some theorized that He returned "in spirit" and is ruling "from His throne in heaven." Could one's denial of Baha'u'llah relate to the denial of Christ coming in the flesh? Can we blame one's denial of Baha'u'llah on this spirit of the antiChrist? Also, the above verse could reflect on the ancient Christian heresy known as docetism ("seeming") which taught that Christ was a myth, and that He never physically came into the world.
2. 666 (Rev 13:18) - An evil man of the Umayyad dynasty who usurped secular control of Islam. (see 'Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions ... and ... Robert Riggs: Apocalypse Unsealed.)
3. Christ was thought of as a false prophet: (Matthew 12:24)
4. "If it be your wish to riddle with your shafts the breast of Him Who hath caused His Book the Bayan to be sent down unto you, lay hands on Me and persecute Me, for I am His Well-Beloved, the revelation of His own Self, though My name be not His name. I have come in the shadows of the clouds of glory, and am invested by God with invincible sovereignty. ... I, verily, anticipate from you the treatment ye have accorded unto Him that came before Me." (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 101)
5. Scripture says, "... no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Cor 12:3) The central figures of the Baha'i Faith all identify Jesus as "Lord.": "...the Spirit of God (Jesus), the Lord of all being." (Baha'u'llah: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, page 100)
"This is the glorious time of which the Lord Jesus Christ spoke when He told us to pray `Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven'." (`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks, page 88)
"The Lord of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ returned in the glory of the Father..." (Shoghi Effendi: God Passes By, page 151)

Only in a relative sense. The Jews used the same argument against the early Christians.
1. (Deuteronomy 4:2)
2. And although Christ fulfilled the law in "spirit," He did in fact change the former law:

a. The early Christians even titled the Gospel and Epistles the "New" Testament and the Jewish Torah and Prophets the "Old" Testament.
b. (Hebrews 8:13)
c. (Hebrews 8:6,7)

3. The following verses clearly indicate that no "man" (or woman) can add to the glorious gospel of Christ. It does not say that the Spirit of God (or an "angel") is unable to return with another gospel! Besides, 'a' and 'b' below were both revealed 'before' the four Gospels!
a. (Galatians 1:8,9)
b. (2 Corinthians 11:4)
c. (Revelation 22:18)

4. (Rev 20:12) John foretold "another" future book!
5. Contemplate with thine inward eye the chain of successive Revelations ... I testify before God that each one of these Manifestations hath been sent down through the operation of the Divine Will and Purpose, that each hath been the bearer of a specific Message, that each hath been entrusted with a divinely-revealed Book and been commissioned to unravel the mysteries of a mighty Tablet. The measure of the Revelation with which every one of them hath been identified had been definitely fore-ordained. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 74)
6. Even as the Christian divines who, holding fast to the verse of the Gospel to which We have already referred, have sought to explain that the law of the Gospel shall at no time be annulled, and that no independent Prophet shall again be made manifest, unless He confirmeth the law of the Gospel. Most of the people have become afflicted with the same spiritual disease. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, pg 213)

ISN'T CHRIST 'GOD' AND THEREFORE GREATER THAN ANY

MERE "MANIFESTATION" OR "PROPHET?"

The Gospel and Baha'i Writings indicate that Christ is not literally God, but a manifestation of God. The expression used to identify the three figures of the trinity, "God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit" is not explicitly found in the Bible.
1. That Christ is different from God - has a distinct will: (Mat 19:17), (John 6:38), (John 14:28), (John 5:19), (John 5:30), (John 14:10), (Matthew 26:39)
2. That Christ is God: (Jn 1:1), (John 1:14), (John 10:30), (Hebrews 1:8)
3. That no one can see God: (John 5:37), (1 Timothy 6:16), (John 1:18), (1 John 4:12)
4. That to see Christ is to see God: (John 14:9)
5. Let's now turn to the word of God found both in the Baha'i Writings as well as the Christian New Testament to see if we can gain a better understanding of the above verses:

a. In this way the image and effulgence of the Sun of Reality (God) appear in the mirrors of the Manifestations of God. This is what Jesus Christ meant when He declared, "the father is in the son," the purpose being that the reality of that eternal SUN had become reflected in its glory in Christ Himself. It does not signify that the SUN of Reality had descended from its place in heaven or that its essential being had effected an entrance into the mirror, for there is neither entrance nor exit for the reality of Divinity ... it is sanctified above all things and ever occupies its own holy station. Changes and transformations are not applicable to that eternal reality. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 173)
b. (Colossians 1:15), (Heb 1:3), (2 Cor 3:18)
c. To every discerning and illuminated heart it is evident that God, the unknowable Essence, the Divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately recount His praise, or that human heart comprehend His fathomless mystery. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 46)

IF THE PROPHECIES PROVE THE BAHA'I FAITH, WHY ISN'T EVERYONE A BAHA'I?

GOD UTLIMATELY DETERMINES WHAT PATH IN LIFE IS BEST SUITED FOR EACH ONE OF US

1. Know that faith is of TWO kinds. The first is objective faith that is expressed by the outer man, obedience of the limbs and senses. The other faith is subjective, and unconscious obedience to the will of God.... This condition of unconscious obedience constitutes subjective faith. But the discerning faith that consists of true knowledge of God and the comprehension of divine words, of such faith there is very little in any age. That is why His Holiness Christ said to His followers, "Many are called but few are chosen." (`Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i World Faith, page 364)
2. "In the Gospel He saith: `For many are called, but few are chosen.' That is, to many is it offered, but rare is the soul who is singled out to receive the great bestowal of guidance. `Such is the bounty of God: to whom He will He giveth it, and of immense bounty is God.'" (`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... `Abdu'l-Baha, page 9)
3. (Romans 9:18 NIV)
4. (Titus 3:5)
5. "...the differences which exist between men in regard to spiritual progress and heavenly perfections are also due to the choice of the Compassionate One. For faith, which is life eternal, is the sign of bounty, and not the result of justice." (`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, page 130)
6. Call to mind the tender mercy of thy Lord, and remember how We nurtured thee by day and by night for service to the Cause. ... Granted that the people were confused about thy station, is it conceivable that thou thyself art similarly confused? ... Beware lest the fire of thy presumptuousness debar thee from attaining to God's Holy Court. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pages 86-87)
7. The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of the receptacle. The portion of some might lie in the palm of a man's hand, the portion of others might fill a cup, and of others even a gallon-measure. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 8)
8. "Since men differ in their degree of knowledge, if two persons should be found to possess different viewpoints should be found to possess different viewpoints as regards the degree and station of the Manifestation of God, both are acceptable before God, for, in accord with the blessed verse: 'Verily, we have created souls different in degrees;' God has created men different in understanding and diverse in manners. But if those having two points of view engage in conflict and strife while expressing their views, both of them are rejected. For, by knowing the Manifestation of God it is intended to unify the hearts, cultivate the souls and to teach the truth of God, whereas conflict and strife of two persons with two points of view would do harm to the Cause of God. Consequently both of them are referred to the fire." (From an unpublished Tablet by Baha'u'llah; quoted in The Brilliant Proof; Mirza Abu'Fadi, pages 24-29)
9. Verily thy Lord lighteth the lamp of Love in the heart of whomsoever He chooseth. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Japan Will Turn Ablaze, page 11)
10. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou makest a confidant, and whosoever is not the object of Thy choice is accounted a transgressor. (`Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i Prayers (US edition), page 47)
11. The tie of servitude established between the worshiper and the adored One, between the creature and the Creator, should in itself be regarded as a token of His gracious favor unto men, and not as an indication of any merit they may possess. To this testifieth every true and discerning believer. (Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 193-194)

His Holiness Christ promised to return with more teachings when the world was ready. He promised to return with a NEW Name. He never promised conclusively to return bodily as the same person - the same historical 'Jesus of Nazareth.'
Baha'u'llah, the "glory of the Father," is regarded by millions of Baha'is worldwide as that One Promised by Christ. Please turn to His Writings and listen for the voice of Christ.
(John 14:18)
If thou deniest Me, by what proof canst thou vindicate the truth of that which thou dost possess? (Baha'u'llah: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, page 82)
O MY SERVANT! Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more. (Baha'u'llah: Persian Hidden Words, pg 40)
The Promised One hath appeared in this glorified Station, whereat all beings, both seen and unseen, have rejoiced. Take ye advantage of the Day of God. Verily, to meet Him is better for you than all that whereon the sun shineth, could ye but know it. (Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, pg 52) Thank you, Don Plunkett email: plunkettm@aol.com

Most Baha'i books quoted are available through Baha'i Distribution (see below) . . . I Shall Come Again is available through Global Perspective, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
The above material represents the opinions of an individual Baha'i and is not necessarily representative of the Baha'i Faith.

Khatami a Shiite Muslim, told the Roman Catholic Pontif he hopes the faiths could join.

Baha'i was a real eye opener and seems to be the missing link between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. I found another article which took up too much space for this newsletter. It will be the November issue. It uses Bible verses to prove the validity of Baha'i. It is the carrot that could pull off unity in diversity of all faiths. It could easily solve the puzzle that now confronts the post-denominational church: how do we bridge the gap to include all of humanity?.

Jesus said: "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not." (Matthew 24:23)

...From this same God all creation sprang into existence, and He is the one goal, towards which everything in nature yearns. This conception was embodied in the words of Christ, when He said, `I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end'. Man is the sum of Creation, and the Perfect Man is the expression of the complete thought of the Creator - the Word of God.
Consider the world of created beings, how varied and diverse they are in species, yet with one sole origin. All the differences that appear are those of outward form and colour. This diversity of type is apparent throughout the whole of nature.
Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage - and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain.
So it is with humanity. It is made up of many races, and its peoples are of different colour, white, black, yellow, brown and red - but they all come from the same God, and all are servants to Him. This diversity among the children of men has unhappily not the same effect as it has among the vegetable creation, where the spirit shown is more harmonious. Among men exists the diversity of animosity, and it is this that causes war and hatred among the different nations of the world.
Differences which are only those of blood also cause them to destroy and kill one another. Alas! that this should still be so. Let us look rather at the beauty in diversity, the beauty of harmony, and learn a lesson from the vegetable creation. If you beheld a garden in which all the plants were the same as to form, colour and perfume, it would not seem beautiful to you at all, but, rather, monotonous and dull. The garden which is pleasing to the eye and which makes the heart glad, is the garden in which are growing side by side flowers of every hue, form and perfume, and the joyous contrast of colour is what makes for charm and beauty. So is it with trees. An orchard full of fruit trees is a delight; so is a plantation planted with many species of shrubs. It is just the diversity and variety that constitutes its charm; each flower, each tree, each fruit, beside being beautiful in itself, brings out by contrast the qualities of the others, and shows to advantage the special loveliness of each and all. Thus should it be among the children of men!...
...The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord...
...If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness. Think of them as different coloured roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them. Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.
Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends.
Every edifice is made of many different stones, yet each depends on the other to such an extent that if one were displaced the whole building would suffer; if one is faulty the structure is imperfect.
Baha'u'llah has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us. Leave all thought of self, and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of the Kingdom of God, and attain unto life everlasting. (Abdu'l-Baha,from Paris Talks, pp.51-54)