tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57622208637071444692024-01-10T11:51:16.715-08:00Baha'i Scriptures concerning Jesus & ChristianityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-28102420747866515042018-09-16T01:30:00.000-07:002018-09-20T13:51:06.494-07:00Variations in the three versions of the Bible – two examples<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">…the Torah, held to be the most ancient of histories,
existeth today in three separate versions: the Hebrew, considered authentic by
the Jews and the Protestant clergy; the Greek Septuagint, which is used as
authoritative in the Greek and other Eastern churches; and the Samaritan Torah,
the standard authority for that people. These three versions differ greatly,
one from another, even with regard to the lifetimes of the most celebrated
figures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Hebrew Torah, it is recorded that from Noah’s flood
until the birth of Abraham there was an interval of two hundred and ninety-two
years. In the Greek, that time-span is given as one thousand and seventy-two
years, while in the Samaritan, the recorded span is nine hundred and forty-two
years… Refer to the commentary by Henry Westcott,for tables are supplied
therein which show the discrepancies among the three Torahs as to the
birthdates of a number of the descendants of Shem, and thou wilt see how
greatly the versions differ one from another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moreover, according to the text of the Hebrew Torah, from
the creation of Adam until Noah’s flood the elapsed time is recorded as one
thousand six hundred and fifty-six years, while in the Greek Torah the interval
is given as two thousand two hundred and sixty-two years, and in the Samaritan
text, the same period is said to have lasted one thousand three hundred and
seven years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reflect thou now over the discrepancies among these three
Torahs. The case is indeed surprising. The Jews and Protestants belittle the
Greek Torah, while to the Greeks, the Hebrew version is spurious, and the
Samaritans deny both the Hebrew and the Greek versions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our purpose is to show that even in Scriptural history, the
most outstanding of all histories, there are contradictions as to the time when
the great ones lived, let alone as to dates related to others. . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha Ffrom a Tablet, New resources available at Online Baha’i Reference Library of
the Baha’i World Center)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-22206335157921876362016-03-03T01:30:00.000-08:002017-01-05T18:49:39.419-08:00Ecclesiastes: chapter 12<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As to thy question concerning the 12th chapter of
Ecclesiastes: This is prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus in that book, the
signs and marks of which were fulfilled with the appearance of the Promised One
of the Bible; [the Old Testament] but since the Jews did not understand the
meaning thereof, so they denied Jesus and— God forbid! —said that He was the
deformed (Antichrist). Then it is said by Jesus in the Gospel, that similar
signs would appear in the “last day”—or in other words—in the day when Christ
will come the second time in this world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of
‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-24945564707953922592016-02-15T01:30:00.000-08:002017-01-05T18:30:59.220-08:00Isaiah: chapter 54<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As to thy question concerning the 54th chapter of Isaiah: This
chapter refers to the Exalted Leaf, the mother of ‘Abdul-Baha. As a proof to
this it is said: “For more are the children of the desolate, than the children
of the married wife.” Reflect upon this statement and then upon the following:
“And thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be
inhabited.” And truly the humiliation and reproach which she suffered in the
path of God is a fact which no one can refute. For the calamities and
afflictions mentioned in the whole chapter are such afflictions which she
suffered in the path of God, all of which she endured with patience and thanked
God therefor and praised Him, because He had enabled her to endure afflictions
for the sake of Baha’. During all this time, the men and women [violators of
the Covenant] persecuted her in an incomparable manner, while she was patient,
God-fearing, calm, humble and contented through the favor of her Lord and by
the bounty of her Creator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-36715411191433664782016-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:002017-01-05T18:31:12.533-08:00Revelation: chapter 21, verses 10 and 17<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thou hast asked in regard to the 10th verse of the 21st
chapter of Revelation and to the 17th verse:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Know that the firmament of the bright sun of the world of
possibilities is divided into twelve sections, according to mathematical
principles, which are called the twelve constellations; likewise, the Sun of
Truth manifests and pours forth His bounty in twelve constellations of
holiness. By these constellations are meant holy souls who are the
manifestations of purity and the dawning-points of the lights of Unity. Observe
that in the day of His Holiness the Speaker of God (Moses), there were twelve
holy souls who were the leaders of the Truth. In like manner, in the cycle of
His Holiness the Spirit (Jesus Christ), note that there were twelve apostles
under the shadow of the light of the Most High, and the Sun of Truth was
manifested through those bright dawning-places like unto the phenomenal sun.
Likewise, in the time of His Holiness Mohammed, consider that there were twelve
dawning points of holiness who were the manifestations of confirmation. Such is
the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Accordingly, St. John, the divine, declared in his vision
regarding the twelve doors and the twelve foundations. By the great and holy
city of Jerusalem, which is descended from heaven, is meant the sacred law of
God. This subject has been repeatedly explained in many Tablets and in the
Scriptures of the ancient prophets. For example, it is said in one place: “I beheld
Jerusalem marching on to the wilderness.” The purport </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Page_93" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is
that this Heavenly Jerusalem has twelve doors through which the advancing souls
enter into the City of God. These doors are the souls who are the stars of
guidance and doors unto bounty and knowledge. “At the gates twelve angels
stood.” By “angel” is meant the power of the confirmation of God; that the
candle of the power of the divine confirmation shines forth and is illumined in
those souls. That is to say, that each one of those souls will be confirmed by
the mightiest power. Those twelve gates surround the whole universe. This
signifies that all existence is under the shadow of those souls; also, that
these doors are the foundation of the city of God, the divine Jerusalem; that
upon each of these foundations the name of one of the Apostles of His Holiness
the Spirit </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">[Christ] is written. That is
to say, the manifestation of the perfections, glad-tidings, virtues and high
attributes of that holy soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In brief, it is said that: “And he that talked with me had a
golden rod to measure the city and the gates thereof and the walls thereof.”
The purport is this, that certain souls guided (people) with a rod of the
plant, that is, a reed wherewith he shepherded the sheep, like unto the rod of
Moses; other trained (the people) with a rod of iron and drove them, as in the
time of Mohammed (The scepter of Mohammed was the sword). In this Greatest Day
the rod of the plant and the rod of iron are changed into a rod which is of
pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the Kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By the instrumentality of this, all people shall be </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Page_94" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trained. Observe the difference: In a certain time the
teachings of God were like unto the twigs of a tree and by them the signs of
God were spread, the law of God promulgated and the religion of God founded.
Later a time came when the rod of the divine Shepherd was like iron, and now in
this blessed and glorious cycle that rod is become like unto pure gold. What a
great difference exists between them! Therefore know that the law of God and
the divine teachings prove a great advance in this day. They have reached a
degree of supremacy, compared with former ages. Nay, rather, this is pure gold,
while that was iron and wood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This answer was written briefly because there was no more
time. You will certainly excuse. The maid-servants of God must reach a station
wherein they themselves shall comprehend the realities and meanings, to give
clear explanations for each word and the fountains of wisdom gush forth from
the reality of their hearts like a full flowing stream. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Chapter_124" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-53734252430497358202015-12-17T15:42:00.005-08:002017-01-05T18:31:28.301-08:00Christ did not attain His Messianic station and His perfections at the moment of His baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove – He was already and “has always been, and will ever remain, in the loftiest heights of sanctity”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But as to that holy Reality of which Christ says “the Father
is in the Son”, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Cf. John 14:11 and 17:21]</span> it has neither beginning nor end:
Its “beginning” refers merely to His revelation of His own station. Thus, by
way of analogy, He likens His silence to sleep: A man who is silent is like one
who is asleep, and when he speaks, it is as though he has awakened. And yet the
sleeping and the wakeful man are one and the same person: No change has taken
place in his station, his loftiness, sublimity, inner reality, or innate
nature. It is merely that the condition of silence has been likened to sleep,
and that of manifestation to wakefulness. A man, whether sleeping or awake, is
the same man: Sleep is simply one possible state, and wakefulness another. And
so it is that the period of silence is compared to sleep, and the period of
manifestation and guidance to wakefulness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Gospel it is said: “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God.” It follows then that Christ did not attain His
Messianic station and His perfections at the moment of His baptism, when the
Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. Rather, the Word of God
has always been, and will ever remain, in the loftiest heights of sanctity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Excerpt from a table talk, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered
Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre. To see the
entire talks please visit ‘</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://centerofcovenanttalks.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-manifestations-of-god-have-three.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: blue;">Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha</span>’</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-1949407544124240182015-04-26T03:59:00.000-07:002015-12-17T15:45:57.999-08:00Words of Jesus addressed to His Disciples<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ponder the words of Jesus addressed to His disciples, as He
sent them forth to propagate the Cause of God. In words such as these, He bade
them arise and fulfil their mission: 'Ye are even as the fire which in the
darkness of the night has been kindled upon the mountain-top. Let your light
shine before the eyes of men. Such must be the purity of your character and the
degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you
recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of
purity and grace. For none has seen the Father who is in heaven. You who are
His spiritual children must by your deeds exemplify His virtues, and witness to
His glory. You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? Such must be the degree of your detachment, that
into whatever city you enter to proclaim and teach the Cause of God, you should
in no wise expect either meat or reward from its people. Nay, when you depart
out of that city, you should shake the dust from off your feet. As you have
entered it pure and undefiled, so must you depart from that city. For verily I
say, the heavenly Father is ever with you and keeps watch over you. If you be
faithful to Him, He will assuredly deliver into your hands all the treasures of
the earth, and will exalt you above all the rulers and kings of the world.' </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- The
Báb <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi
Effendi)</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-4942955988271156802015-03-15T03:50:00.000-07:002015-12-17T15:46:06.653-08:00Each of the Manifestations of God is “a mirror of God, reflecting naught else but His Self, His Beauty, His Might and Glory”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God witnesseth that there is no God but Him, the Gracious,
the Best-Beloved. All grace and bounty are His. To whomsoever He will He giveth
whatsoever is His wish. … We recognize in the manifestation of each one of them
[God’s Manifestations, Prophets, Messengers], whether outwardly or inwardly,
the manifestation of none but God Himself, if ye be of those that comprehend.
Every one of them is a mirror of God, reflecting naught else but His Self, His
Beauty, His Might and Glory, if ye will understand. All else besides them are
to be regarded as mirrors capable of reflecting the glory of these
Manifestations Who are themselves the Primary Mirrors of the Divine Being, if
ye be not devoid of understanding. No one hath ever escaped them, neither are
they to be hindered from achieving their purpose. These Mirrors will
everlastingly succeed each other, and will continue to reflect the light of the
Ancient of Days. They that reflect their glory will, in like manner, continue
to exist for evermore, for the Grace of God can never cease from flowing. This
is a truth that none can disprove.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha’u’llah’)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-36308130941256988732015-02-15T12:20:00.000-08:002015-10-02T12:01:57.054-07:00Prayer Christ said while on the cross<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O My beloved Lord, how long wilt Thou abandon Me to them?
Lift Me up unto Thee, shelter Me close to Thee, make Me a dwelling by Thy
throne of glory. Verily art Thou the Answerer of prayers, and Thou art the
Clement, the Merciful. O My Lord! Verily this world with all its vastness can
no longer contain Me, and I love this cross, out of love for Thy beauty, and
yearning for Thy realm on high, and because of this fire, fanned by the gusts
of Thy holiness, aflame within My heart. Help me, O Lord, to ascend unto Thee,
sustain Me that I may reach unto Thy sacred Threshold, O My loving Lord! Verily
Thou art the Merciful, the Possessor of great bounty! Verily Thou art the
Generous! Verily Thou art the Compassionate! Verily Thou art the All-Knowing!
There is none other God save Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful!' </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Jesus Christ </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Quoted
by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 'Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha')</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-42117133104787745562015-01-11T19:11:00.000-08:002015-10-02T12:02:06.810-07:00The meaning of Jesus’ remarks: “I go away and come again unto you.”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus it is that Jesus, Himself, declared: “I go away and
come again unto you.” Consider the sun. Were it to say now, “I am the sun of yesterday,”
it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of time in mind,
claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth. In like
manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is correct
and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and
designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the
same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific
attribute, a particular character. Conceive accordingly the distinction,
variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness,
that thou mayest comprehend the allusions made by the creator of all names and
attributes to the mysteries of distinction and unity …. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘The
Book of Certitude’)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-9243171978541665432014-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:002015-10-02T12:02:15.573-07:00Appearances of the Primal Will of God in various Manifestations<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the time of the First Manifestation the Primal Will
appeared in Adam; in the day of Noah It became known in Noah; in the day of
Abraham in Him; and so in the day of Moses; the day of Jesus …..</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Báb</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb’)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-87505208396315908232014-09-20T16:17:00.000-07:002015-10-02T12:02:25.430-07:00Recognizing the Manifestation of God when He comes<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">… consider the people unto whom the Gospel was given. Having
no access to the apostles of Jesus, they sought the pleasure of the Lord in
their churches, hoping to learn that which would be acceptable unto God, but
they found therein no path unto Him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- The Báb <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘Selections from the
Writings of the Báb’)</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-88005317432940743932014-08-10T16:13:00.000-07:002015-10-02T12:02:34.195-07:00“…the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is also recorded in the Gospel according to St. Luke,
that on a certain day Jesus passed by a Jew who was sick of the palsy, and lay
upon a couch. When the Jew saw Him, he recognized Him, and cried out for His
help. Jesus said unto him: “Arise from thy bed; thy sins are forgiven thee.”
Certain of the Jews, standing by, protested saying: “Who can forgive sins, but
God alone?” And immediately He perceived their thoughts, Jesus answering said
unto them: “Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, arise, and
take up thy bed, and walk; or to say, thy sins are forgiven thee? that ye may
know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” This is the real
sovereignty, and such is the power of God’s chosen Ones! All these things which
We have repeatedly mentioned, and the details which We have cited from divers
sources, have no other purpose but to enable thee to grasp the meaning of the
allusions in the utterances of the chosen Ones of God, lest certain of these
utterances cause thy feet to falter and thy heart to be dismayed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Book of Certitude’)</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-28021774741661262822014-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:002015-09-26T16:19:37.496-07:00An example of the divine mystery of true “abasement”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus Jesus, Son of Mary, whilst seated one day and speaking
in the strain of the Holy Spirit, uttered words such as these: “O people! My
food is the grass of the field, wherewith I satisfy my hunger. My bed is the
dust, my lamp in the night the light of the moon, and my steed my own feet.
Behold, who on earth is richer than I?” By the righteousness of God! Thousands
of treasures circle round this poverty, and a myriad kingdoms of glory yearn
for such abasement! Shouldst thou attain to a drop of the ocean of the inner
meaning of these words, thou wouldst surely forsake the world and all that is
therein, and, as the Phoenix wouldst consume thyself in the flames of the
undying Fire. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘The
Book of Certitude’)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-21554542306845194052014-01-05T14:07:00.000-08:002015-09-26T16:19:28.725-07:00The meaning of verses such as: “Ye must be born again.” And, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">… Jesus said: “Ye must be born again.” Again He saith:
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.” The purport of these words is that whosoever in
every dispensation is born of the Spirit and is quickened by the breath of the
Manifestation of Holiness, he verily is of those that have attained unto “life”
and “resurrection” and have entered into the “paradise” of the love of God. And
whosoever is not of them, is condemned to “death” and “deprivation,” to the
“fire” of unbelief, and to the “wrath” of God. In all the scriptures, the books
and chronicles, the sentence of death, of fire, of blindness, of want of
understanding and hearing, hath been pronounced against those whose lips have
tasted not the ethereal cup of true knowledge, and whose hearts have been
deprived of the grace of the holy Spirit in their day. . Even as it hath been
previously recorded: “Hearts have they with which they understand not.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘The Book
of Certitude’)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-15678116268660462332013-09-08T14:03:00.000-07:002015-09-26T16:19:19.699-07:00A verse from the Gospel: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">… there is yet another verse in the Gospel wherein He saith:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.” Thus it
is that the adherents of Jesus maintained that the law of the Gospel shall
never be annulled, and that whensoever the promised Beauty is made manifest and
all the signs are revealed, He must needs re-affirm and establish the law
proclaimed in the Gospel, so that there may remain in the world no faith but
His faith. This is their fundamental belief. And their conviction is such that
were a person to be made manifest with all the promised signs and to promulgate
that which is contrary to the letter of the law of the Gospel, they must
assuredly renounce him, refuse to submit to his law, declare him an infidel,
and laugh him to scorn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(‘The
Book of Certitude’)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-65683008258834834042013-06-09T08:43:00.000-07:002015-09-26T16:18:55.697-07:00“Verily the Spirit of Truth is come to guide you unto all truth”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The voice of the Son of Man is calling aloud from the sacred
vale: ‘Here am I, here am I, O God my God!’ ... whilst from the Burning Bush
breaketh forth the cry: ‘Lo, the Desire of the world is made manifest in His
transcendent glory!’ The Father hath come. That which ye were promised in the
Kingdom of God is fulfilled. This is the Word which the Son veiled when He said
to those around Him that at that time they could not bear it... Verily the
Spirit of Truth is come to guide you unto all truth... He is the One Who
glorified the Son and exalted His Cause... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Quoted by Shoghi
Effendi in a letter dated</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> February 8, 1934; ‘The
Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-51564440391762334642013-01-20T08:41:00.000-08:002015-09-26T16:19:05.628-07:00“The Comforter… is now come”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Comforter Whose advent all the scriptures have promised
is now come that He </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Page_105" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">may reveal unto you all knowledge
and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface of the earth, haply ye may find
Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> February 8, 1934; ‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-77868708958500593402012-11-18T12:10:00.000-08:002015-09-25T04:29:54.547-07:00“He that had ascended unto it [heaven] is now come”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Followers of the Gospel, behold the gates of heaven are flung
open. He that had ascended unto it is now come. Give ear to His voice calling
aloud over land and sea, announcing to all mankind the advent of this
Revelation—a Revelation through the agency of which the Tongue of Grandeur is
now proclaiming: ‘Lo, the sacred Pledge hath been fulfilled, for He, the
Promised One, is come!’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter
dated</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> February 8, 1934; ‘The Dispensation of
Baha’u’llah’)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-21543433450216672552012-06-15T12:11:00.000-07:002015-09-25T08:46:13.387-07:00Those who rejected Christ when He came unto them<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consider those who rejected the Spirit <span style="font-size: x-small;">[Christ]</span> when He came unto them with manifest dominion. How numerous the Pharisees who had secluded themselves in synagogues in His name, lamenting over their separation from Him, and yet when the portals of reunion were flung open and the divine Luminary shone resplendent from the Dayspring of Beauty, they disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Mighty. They failed to attain His presence, notwithstanding that His advent had been promised them in the Book of Isaiah as well as in the Books of the Prophets and the Messengers. No one from among them turned his face towards the Dayspring of divine bounty except such as were destitute of any power amongst men. And yet, today, every man endowed with power and invested with sovereignty prideth himself on His Name. Moreover, call thou to mind the one who sentenced Jesus to death. He was the most learned of his age in his own country, whilst he who was only a fisherman believed in Him. Take good heed and be of them that observe the warning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Baha’u’llah<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Lawh-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Tablet) [Sometimes referred to as Tablet to the Christians],‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-20163654126883680672012-05-17T08:37:00.000-07:002015-09-25T08:46:52.266-07:00The Tree of Life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O leaf upon the Tree of Life! The Tree of Life, of which mention is made in the Bible, is Bahá'u'lláh, and the daughters of the Kingdom are the leaves upon that blessed Tree. Then thank thou God that thou hast become related to that Tree, and that thou art flourishing, tender and fresh.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gates of the Kingdom are opened wide, and every favoured soul is seated at the banquet table of the Lord, receiving his portion of that heavenly feast. Praised be God, thou too art present at this table, taking thy share of the bountiful food of heaven. Thou art serving the Kingdom, and art well acquainted with the sweet savours of the Abha Paradise.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then strive thou with all thy might to guide the people, and eat thou of the bread that hath come down from heaven. For this is the meaning of Christ's words: 'I am the living bread which came down from heaven ... he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.'<span style="font-size: x-small;">[John 6:51, 58]</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu'l-Baha<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-18243391241766835652012-03-15T06:35:00.000-07:002015-09-25T08:47:20.997-07:00The meaning of the “resurrection of the body of Christ three days subsequent to His departure”<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As to the resurrection of the body of Christ three days subsequent to His departure: This signifies the divine teachings and spiritual religion of His Holiness Christ, which constitute His spiritual body, which is living and perpetual forevermore. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the "three days' of His death is meant that after the great martyrdom, the penetration of the divine teachings and the spread of the spiritual law became relaxed on account of the crucifixion of Christ. For the disciples were somewhat troubled by the violence of divine tests. But when they become firm, that divine spirit resurrected and that body - which signifies the divine word - arose. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Likewise the address of the angels to the people of Galilee, "That this Christ will return in the same way and that He will descend from heaven," is a spiritual address. For when Christ appeared, he came from heaven, although He was outwardly born from the womb of Mary. For He said: "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He said: "I came down from heaven and likewise will go to heaven." By "Heaven" is not meant this infinite phenomenal space, but "heaven" signifies the world of the divine kingdom which is the supreme station and seat of the Sun of Truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (‘Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas", vol.1; compilation ‘Resurrection of Jesus Christ’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-69605855720629815752012-01-30T21:01:00.001-08:002015-09-25T08:47:44.566-07:00“The disciples of Christ taught His Faith with the language of the Kingdom”<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The disciples of Christ taught His Faith with the language of the Kingdom. That language conformeth to all languages, for it consisteth of celestial meanings and divine mysteries. For the one who becometh conversant with that language the realities and secrets of creation stand unveiled before him. Divine truths are common to all languages. The Holy Spirit, therefore, taught the disciples the language of the Kingdom, and they thus were able to converse with the people of all nations. Whenever they spoke to those of other nations of the world, it was as if they conversed in their tongues. The well-known and outstanding languages of the world number about a thousand. It was necessary for the disciples to have written the Gospels in at least one of the languages of other nations. Thus, as it is known, the Gospels were written only in Hebrew and Greek, and not even in the language of the Romans, although it was at the time the official language. As the disciples were not well-versed in it, the Gospels were not written in that language. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (From a Tablet; Compilation on ‘The Bible: Extracts on the Old and New Testaments’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice )</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-85426519158514609302012-01-20T08:19:00.001-08:002015-09-25T08:48:15.019-07:00The creation of “heaven and earth in six days” ….<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">..What is intended by the creation of heaven and earth in six days is a spiritual creation and a divine day, as prior to the creation of this heaven and earth there were no days and nights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (From a Tablet; Compilation on ‘The Bible: Extracts on the Old and New Testaments’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-29570533436197100222011-09-07T11:25:00.001-07:002015-09-25T08:57:34.486-07:00The meaning of the passage: “.. the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost..”<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“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.” <span style="font-size: x-small;">(St. John 14:26)</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The passage in the Gospel of St. John 14:26, is a reference to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, through Whose coming this prophecy was fulfilled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 21, 1939; compilation: 'Lights of Guidance')</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5762220863707144469.post-81263128824961340402011-09-01T15:00:00.001-07:002015-09-25T08:51:03.523-07:00We are called upon to “follow” the “footsteps” of the disciples of Christ<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It behoveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every land, pass by every clime, and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end, they must raise in every land the triumphal cry, Ya Baha'u'l-Abha! (O Thou the Glory of Glories).... The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine guidance; till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved one of God. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ‘Abdu’l-Baha<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi, The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com