Jesus Speaks - Chapter 10

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Jesus Speaks
To The World Religions
Chapter Ten
Book of Revelation

CONCEPT BOX
From a Baha'i perspective this chapter tells more about the beginnings of the Babi and the Baha'i Faiths, and explains about the 'Little Book' which is destined to give guidance in its Laws. In most previous religious dispensations it has been writings or stories written after the Founder was ascended, by those who wrote what they remembered, or what they could find.
As members of the Baha'i Faith we are fortunate that we can honour and treasure the very Words, Writings and Manuscripts that have been sent to illumine all mankind. We pray "not to be deprived of the knowledge of Thee in Thy days,... and to drink of the river that is life indeed".

Hearken thou unto the Words of thy Lord and purify thy heart from every illusion so that the effulgent light of the remembrance of thy Lord may shed its radiance upon it, and it may attain the station of certitude.

(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah,
p.182)

This chapter also begins in verse 7, an explanation about the Seventh Angel, the last of the Seven Angels, the Angel of Islam and the Seal of Prophets.

In the AFTERWORD we discuss about Islam, which will continue to be a major theme for the next several chapters. Islam is so central to the Book of Revelation because it was the NEXT Revelation to follow that of Jesus, Who is the Revealer of the Book of Revelation.

Bible Verses
[1] And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

V.1 This is not the Seventh and Last (Religions of the World in order) Angel in the third (Religions of the World) "Angel with Trumpets" thread. That Angel appears in verse 7.
This Mighty Angel is Baha'u'llah, clothed with a cloud (Rev 1:7), meaning that the world still does not recognize Him. It shows a rainbow upon His head which symbolizes the different wonderful religions of the world to which His mission would be addressed. His face was as the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire: staunch in His purpose.

Praise ye the Lord of Hosts for He, riding upon the clouds, hath come down to this world out of the heaven of the invisible realm, so that East and West were lit by the glory of the Sun of Truth, and the call of the Kingdom was raised, and the heralds of the realm above, with melodies of the Concourse on high, sang out the glad tidings of the Coming. Then the whole world of being did quiver for joy, and still the people, even as the Messiah saith, slept on: for the day of the Manifestation, when the Lord of Hosts descended, found them wrapped in the slumber of unknowing. As He saith in the Gospel, My coming is even as when the thief is in the house, and the goodman of the house watcheth not.
('Abdu'l-Baha,
Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha,
p. 34)

A fire from the Kingdom hath been kindled in the heart of the world, in the Blessed Tree, whose flame shall ere long set aglow the pillars of the earth and its rays illumine the horizons of the nations.
('Abdu'l-Baha,
Baha'i World Faith,
p. 354)

[2] And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

V.2 . Baha'u'llah has the Book in Hand and has set His right foot on the sea, and His left foot upon the earth, which is symbolic of the world-wide establishment of the unity that will be brought by the book's Message for the world's people.

The Book of God is wide open, and His Word is summoning mankind unto Him. No more than a mere handful, however, hath been found willing to cleave to His Cause, or to become the instruments for its promotion. These few have been endued with the Divine Elixir that can, alone, transmute into purest gold the dross of the world, and have been empowered to administer the infallible remedy for all the ills that afflict the children of men. No man can obtain everlasting life, unless he embraceth the truth of this inestimable, this wondrous, and sublime Revelation.

(Baha'u'llah,
XCII. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah,
p. 183)

...a Revelation destined to blossom forth, in a later period into the flourishing institutions of a world administrative System...
(Shoghi Effendi,
God Passes By,
p.60)

[3] And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

V.3 The Message which Baha'u'llah roared is acknowledge by The Seven Thunders, the Seven Revealers of the seven religious systems, who also utter their voices in recognition of the importance of the New Message. What is being said here is that all the Seven Religions contain prophecies in Their Writings regarding the 'last days' and the coming of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

It is evident that every age in which a Manifestation of God hath lived is divinely ordained, and may, in a sense, be characterized as God's appointed Day.

(Baha'u'llah,
XXV Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah,
p. 60)

[4] And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

V.4 The seals have been opened in previous chapters, and the thunders (angels) have told their woes, except for the seventh, which will be expressed in Chapter 11.The dispensation of each of the Seven Religions has ended. However the seventh angel, the last to sound in verse 7, tells of Muhammad, the 'Mystery of God', then it is finished.

[5] And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

V.5 This Angel, Baha'u'llah, that John saw standing on the sea and the earth, lifted His hand to Heaven. The 'Declaration of His Mission' occurred in the Garden of Ridvan, on an island in the congruence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Baghdad, Persia (now Iraq) on April 21st 1863.

The arrival of Baha'u'llah in the Najibiyyih Garden, subsequently designated by His followers the Garden of Ridvan, signalizes the commencement of what has come to be recognized as the holiest and most significant of all Baha'i festivals, the festival commemorating the Declaration of His Mission to His companions.

(Shoghi Effendi,
God Passes By,
p. 151)

[6] And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

V.6 The power of God is far above human understanding. He created Heaven and all things that are in earth and the sea. The old order has ended and a new order put in place. Baha'u'llah was fearless in His proclamation of the Word of God. The Day and Age promised to all mankind, through all the religions of the world, had come.
The prophets of God have ever appeared in the ages of the past and will continue to appear throughout the ages of the future.
('Abdu'l-Baha,
Divine Philosophy,
p. 170)

[7] But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

V.7 Muhammad is the seventh Angel who is the last to sound and is the last to attest to His woes. (Rev 8:13) When He sounded the mystery of God was to be finished. In the days of Muhammad great deceit had developed. This is explained in chapter 11, by 'Abdu'l-Baha. In Muhammad's book The Koran, it is prophesied that Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophets, also that a return of one Christ-like would come. The completion of His sounding is that the fulfillment of this prophecy has happened: Yes, the "time of prophecy" about what was to come and what was to be expected by ALL the religions ended with the Seal of the Prophets - and thereafter the New Books would be for the 'Time of Fulfillment'. The Bab 'Christ-like' opened the new Cycle of Fulfillment.

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him and that He Who hath appeared is the Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Symbol, the Most Great Book for all peoples, and the Heaven of bounty for the whole world ... Through Him the Ocean of Knowledge hath surged amidst mankind and the river of Divine wisdom hath gushed out at the behest of God, the Lord of Days.

(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.47)

This Day, however, is unique, and is to be distinguished from those that have preceded it. The designation "Seal of the Prophets" fully revealeth its high station. The Prophetic Cycle hath, verily, ended. The Eternal Truth is now come. He hath lifted up the Ensign of Power, and is now shedding upon the world the unclouded splendor of His Revelation.

(Baha'u'llah,
Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.60)

[8] And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

V.8 Symbolically the Voice from Heaven is commanding John to take the Book from the hand of the One that is standing on both the earth and the sea.
The formative era of the Baha'i Faith has begun, which is steadily growing, but a period of darkness and social gloom will unloose a flood of agonizing afflictions before the dawn of the Golden Age. Now the 'Little Book', when the world is ready, will give instruction for the future. This Book, is sometimes called 'The Crimson Book'

While in prison We have revealed a Book which We have entitled 'The Most Holy Book'. We have enacted laws therein and adorned it with the commandments of thy Lord, Who exerciseth authority over all that are in the heavens and on the earth... He is indeed the Ordainer, the Expounder, the Giver, the Generous, the Gracious, the All-Praised.

(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah,
p. 244)
Whilst in the Prison of 'Akka, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:
First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity.
Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.
Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.
Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.
Fifth: Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others. Agriculture is highly developed in foreign lands, however in Persia it hath so far been grievously neglected. It is hoped that His Majesty the Shah -- may God assist him by His grace -- will turn his attention to this vital and important matter.
Were men to strictly observe that which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed in the Crimson Book, they could then well afford to dispense with the regulations which prevail in the world.

(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.89)

[9] And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. V.9 John responded and said to the Angel "Give me the little book". The book being held by the Angel was taken, and the command was to digest it; this is more than reading, but finding a whole new message from God. The trials of life are difficult, however the Word of God is consoling and gives us strength.

O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. ...Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.

(Baha'u'llah,
Synopsis and Codification of The Kitab-i-Aqdas,
p. 11)

[10] And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

V.10
The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.

(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah,
p. 155)

"By My life, if you knew what We have desired for you in revealing Our holy laws, you would offer up your souls for this sacred, mighty and lofty Cause." "This Book is none other than the ancient Lamp of God for the whole world and His undeviating Path amongst men. Say, it is verily the Dayspring of divine knowledge, did ye but know it, and the Dawning-place of the commandments of God, could ye but comprehend it." "Say, this is the spirit of the Scriptures breathed into the Pen of Glory, causing all creation to be dumbfounded, except those who are stirred by the vitalizing fragrance of My tender mercy and the sweet savours of My bounty which pervade all created things."
(Baha'u'llah,
Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas,
p. 7)

Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight!
(Baha'u'llah,
Synopsis and Codification of The Kitab-i-Aqdas,
p. 21)

[11] And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

V.11 The Kitab-i-Aqdas is incomparable among the World's sacred Scriptures, for unlike the writings of the past, and unlike the Gospels, where there is no clear guidance regarding the future administration of the affairs of the Faith; even the Koran in which explicit laws and ordinances were formulated by Muhammad, is silent on the all important subject of future administration. The Kitab-i-Aqdas provides the laws and ordinances for "the highest means for maintenance of order in the world and for the security of its peoples."
"Erelong will its sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be manifested on earth."

(Shoghi Effendi,
God Passes By,
p. 214)

It is incumbent upon the Sovereigns of the world -- may God assist them -- unitedly to hold fast unto this Peace, which is the chief instrument for the protection of all mankind. It is Our hope that they will arise to achieve what will be conducive to the well-being of man. It is their duty to convene an all-inclusive assembly, which either they themselves or their ministers will attend, and to enforce whatever measures are required to establish unity and concord amongst men. They must put away the weapons of war, and turn to the instruments of universal reconstruction. Should one king rise up against another, all the other kings must arise to deter him. Arms and armaments will, then, be no more needed beyond that which is necessary to insure the internal security of their respective countries.
(Baha'u'llah,
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
, p. 30)

Glorified be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou beholdest my dwelling-place, and the prison into which I am cast, and the woes I suffer. By Thy might! No pen can recount them, nor can any tongue describe or number them. I know not, O my God, for what purpose Thou hast abandoned me to Thine adversaries. Thy glory beareth me witness! I sorrow not for the vexations I endure for love of Thee, nor feel perturbed by the calamities that overtake me in Thy path. My grief is rather because Thou delayest to fulfill what Thou hast determined in the Tablets of Thy Revelation, and ordained in the books of Thy decree and judgment.
(Baha'u'llah,
Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah,
p. 10)

Chapter Ten Afterword
The History of Muhammad
and the Beginning of Islam
Beginning in verse seven of this chapter, and for the next several chapters following, the Book of Revelation deals with Islam, so in this Afterword and several following we will explain about the rise and spiritual fall of Islam.
Arabia at the time of the appearance of Muhammad was made up mostly of barbarous tribes, where deceit and cruelty were the norm, making it spiritually the darkest country of the world. Arabia was a country with forbidding deserts, little rainfall and a scorching sun. Poverty existed, along with little chance of education.
Muhammad, although uneducated was sensitive, discerning and honest. He was born in Mecca around 570 or 571 (on the lunar calendar) to an impoverished family. Shortly after He was born his father died and He was left in the care of a foster mother; which was in a nomad tribe. When he was six years old He was delivered back to His mother, but two years later she died also. Later He, with His uncle traveled in caravans, often going to Syria in summer and Ethiopia in winter season.

Muhammad married at the age of twenty-three to a widow, believed to be much older, but had to divorce when opposition to the prophet became fierce. He had become rich and respected. They had four sons and four daughters. The sons died early in life, and all daughters except Fatima died before the age of thirty. Fatima married her cousin Ali, also a cousin to Muhammad, but young enough to be His son. Muhammad after being in the trading business for twelve years, took to wandering in the dessert.
This is when Gabriel appeared to Him to give Him the message that he was to be the Messenger from God. The Koran was a miracle to Muhammad.
Muhammad, chosen by God as a Prophet, and now with innate knowledge, brought spiritual nourishment, advancement in social life, and new teachings for that time and age. The Islamic Faith flourished as the power of the New Teachings spread, but Muhammad had difficulties. His uncle had a very prosperous business selling idols to the many pilgrims, who were traveling through Mecca to observe the stone placed there by Abraham. At first the uncle tried to persuade Muhammad to stop teaching against the worship of idols, which teaching was hurting his business, but of course Muhammad refused.
In frustration the Uncle's tribe formed an army to fight against Muhammad's Cause, the Islamic Faith, which continued to flourish in spite of this opposition.
Muhammad decided on a mighty crusade of conversion He gave Islam a sword to conquer the world. It is said that He proclaimed �holy war� or jihad as we know it. He went to the Bedwin tribes with the idea.
They did their five daily prayers and took the sword to start the new commandment.
Muhammad exclaimed: �The sword is the key to heaven. A night in arms is of more avail than two months of fasting. Whoso falls in battle, or sheds blood in the cause of God, his sins are forgiven�.
He chanted to their unconverted victims; �God loveth not the transgressors, kill them wheresoever ye find them�. So the victims bowed and answered, �There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet.�
However the true meaning of jihad many claim it to mean the battle of life.
He formulated a charter of tolerance towards the races and religions that did not want to change, to pay a tax that was reasonable for the privilage of keeping their own religion. The message was that all men were equal before God. He invited the Jews and Christians to join Him to become a single Faith. They didn't, but centuries later invaded instead, which brought new knowledge; the university, a Muslim idea, to the world.

During His mission of teaching His life was involved with many battles with barbarous tribes. He had no choice in this lawless land but to defend, and to halt the aggressor. He finally transformed many of the loose tribes into one nation. He also banished the worship of idols, which was difficult as to Arabs it meant trade. The idols brought the dessert tribes to Mecca on pilgrimage, at the Ka'bah.
Finally, the opposers, which are known as the Bani-Umayya tribe, decided that it was to their advantage to join the Islamic Faith instead.

Muhammad was profoundly gentle and stressed good deeds, however great change took place as the years went on. The religion had expanded, but in the world at that time it occupied but an infinitesimal small part. The Arabs, their depraved and vicious practices, their ferocity and their constant feuds, were a matter of record; the world did not even consider the Arab tribes of Mecca and Medina as human beings. Muhammad had distinctly told people that Ali, His son-in-law, would be His successor. However when Muhammad died, there was no written announcement. The tribe called the Bani-Umayya fought to take over the reigns of authority. It took only a short time after Muhammad's death for Ali to be killed and Mu'awiyah of the Bani-Umayya tribe to become the first Caliph of the Islamic Faith.

After Muhammad died, Ali was the one who Mahammad had wanted for His successor, but in the battle for successorship Ali was killed by a fanatic. The way was opened for usurpers. Mu'�viyyih from the house of Umayyad had challenged Ali and won in the end. It has been said that if Ali had been accepted to the headship of Islam that the "disastrous pretensions that led to so much bloodshed would have been adverted."
The timeline for all these events is in the Afterword of the following Chapter Eleven.

Blessing and peace be upon Him [Muhammad] through Whose advent Batha [Mecca] is wreathed in smiles, and the sweet savours of Whose raiment have shed fragrance upon all mankind -- He Who came to protect men from that which would harm them in the world below. Exalted, immensely exalted is His station above the glorification of all beings and sanctified from the praise of the entire creation. Through His advent the tabernacle of stability and order was raised throughout the world and the ensign of knowledge hoisted among the nations. May blessings rest also upon His kindred and His companions through whom the standard of the unity of God and of His singleness was uplifted and the banners of celestial triumph were unfurled. Through them the religion of God was firmly established among His creatures and His Name magnified amidst His servants. I entreat Him -- exalted is He -- to shield His Faith from the mischief of His enemies who tore away the veils, rent them asunder and finally caused the banner of Islam to be reversed amongst all peoples. �
(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah,
p. 162)

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Bible Verses [1] And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:	V.1 This is not the Seventh and Last (Religions of the World in order) Angel in the third (Religions of the World) "Angel with Trumpets" thread. That Angel appears in verse 7. This Mighty Angel is Baha'u'llah, clothed with a cloud (Rev 1:7), meaning that the world still does not recognize Him. It shows a rainbow upon His head which symbolizes the different wonderful religions of the world to which His mission would be addressed. His face was as the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire: staunch in His purpose. Praise ye the Lord of Hosts for He, riding upon the clouds, hath come down to this world out of the heaven of the invisible realm, so that East and West were lit by the glory of the Sun of Truth, and the call of the Kingdom was raised, and the heralds of the realm above, with melodies of the Concourse on high, sang out the glad tidings of the Coming. Then the whole world of being did quiver for joy, and still the people, even as the Messiah saith, slept on: for the day of the Manifestation, when the Lord of Hosts descended, found them wrapped in the slumber of unknowing. As He saith in the Gospel, My coming is even as when the thief is in the house, and the goodman of the house watcheth not. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 34) A fire from the Kingdom hath been kindled in the heart of the world, in the Blessed Tree, whose flame shall ere long set aglow the pillars of the earth and its rays illumine the horizons of the nations. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 354)
[2] And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,	V.2 . Baha'u'llah has the Book in Hand and has set His right foot on the sea, and His left foot upon the earth, which is symbolic of the world-wide establishment of the unity that will be brought by the book's Message for the world's people. The Book of God is wide open, and His Word is summoning mankind unto Him. No more than a mere handful, however, hath been found willing to cleave to His Cause, or to become the instruments for its promotion. These few have been endued with the Divine Elixir that can, alone, transmute into purest gold the dross of the world, and have been empowered to administer the infallible remedy for all the ills that afflict the children of men. No man can obtain everlasting life, unless he embraceth the truth of this inestimable, this wondrous, and sublime Revelation. (Baha'u'llah, XCII. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 183) ...a Revelation destined to blossom forth, in a later period into the flourishing institutions of a world administrative System... (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p.60)
[3] And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.	V.3 The Message which Baha'u'llah roared is acknowledge by The Seven Thunders, the Seven Revealers of the seven religious systems, who also utter their voices in recognition of the importance of the New Message. What is being said here is that all the Seven Religions contain prophecies in Their Writings regarding the 'last days' and the coming of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. It is evident that every age in which a Manifestation of God hath lived is divinely ordained, and may, in a sense, be characterized as God's appointed Day. (Baha'u'llah, XXV Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 60)
[4] And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.	V.4 The seals have been opened in previous chapters, and the thunders (angels) have told their woes, except for the seventh, which will be expressed in Chapter 11.The dispensation of each of the Seven Religions has ended. However the seventh angel, the last to sound in verse 7, tells of Muhammad, the 'Mystery of God', then it is finished.
[5] And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,	V.5 This Angel, Baha'u'llah, that John saw standing on the sea and the earth, lifted His hand to Heaven. The 'Declaration of His Mission' occurred in the Garden of Ridvan, on an island in the congruence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Baghdad, Persia (now Iraq) on April 21st 1863. The arrival of Baha'u'llah in the Najibiyyih Garden, subsequently designated by His followers the Garden of Ridvan, signalizes the commencement of what has come to be recognized as the holiest and most significant of all Baha'i festivals, the festival commemorating the Declaration of His Mission to His companions. (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 151)
[6] And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:	V.6 The power of God is far above human understanding. He created Heaven and all things that are in earth and the sea. The old order has ended and a new order put in place. Baha'u'llah was fearless in His proclamation of the Word of God. The Day and Age promised to all mankind, through all the religions of the world, had come. The prophets of God have ever appeared in the ages of the past and will continue to appear throughout the ages of the future. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 170)
[7] But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.	V.7 Muhammad is the seventh Angel who is the last to sound and is the last to attest to His woes. (Rev 8:13) When He sounded the mystery of God was to be finished. In the days of Muhammad great deceit had developed. This is explained in chapter 11, by 'Abdu'l-Baha. In Muhammad's book The Koran, it is prophesied that Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophets, also that a return of one Christ-like would come. The completion of His sounding is that the fulfillment of this prophecy has happened: Yes, the "time of prophecy" about what was to come and what was to be expected by ALL the religions ended with the Seal of the Prophets - and thereafter the New Books would be for the 'Time of Fulfillment'. The Bab 'Christ-like' opened the new Cycle of Fulfillment. God testifieth that there is none other God but Him and that He Who hath appeared is the Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Symbol, the Most Great Book for all peoples, and the Heaven of bounty for the whole world ... Through Him the Ocean of Knowledge hath surged amidst mankind and the river of Divine wisdom hath gushed out at the behest of God, the Lord of Days. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.47) This Day, however, is unique, and is to be distinguished from those that have preceded it. The designation "Seal of the Prophets" fully revealeth its high station. The Prophetic Cycle hath, verily, ended. The Eternal Truth is now come. He hath lifted up the Ensign of Power, and is now shedding upon the world the unclouded splendor of His Revelation. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.60)
[8] And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.	V.8 Symbolically the Voice from Heaven is commanding John to take the Book from the hand of the One that is standing on both the earth and the sea. The formative era of the Baha'i Faith has begun, which is steadily growing, but a period of darkness and social gloom will unloose a flood of agonizing afflictions before the dawn of the Golden Age. Now the 'Little Book', when the world is ready, will give instruction for the future. This Book, is sometimes called 'The Crimson Book' While in prison We have revealed a Book which We have entitled 'The Most Holy Book'. We have enacted laws therein and adorned it with the commandments of thy Lord, Who exerciseth authority over all that are in the heavens and on the earth... He is indeed the Ordainer, the Expounder, the Giver, the Generous, the Gracious, the All-Praised. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 244) Whilst in the Prison of 'Akka, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men: First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity. Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world. Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity. Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice. Fifth: Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others. Agriculture is highly developed in foreign lands, however in Persia it hath so far been grievously neglected. It is hoped that His Majesty the Shah -- may God assist him by His grace -- will turn his attention to this vital and important matter. Were men to strictly observe that which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed in the Crimson Book, they could then well afford to dispense with the regulations which prevail in the world. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.89)
[9] And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.	V.9 John responded and said to the Angel "Give me the little book". The book being held by the Angel was taken, and the command was to digest it; this is more than reading, but finding a whole new message from God. The trials of life are difficult, however the Word of God is consoling and gives us strength. O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. ...Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty. (Baha'u'llah, Synopsis and Codification of The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 11)
[10] And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.	V.10 The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 155) "By My life, if you knew what We have desired for you in revealing Our holy laws, you would offer up your souls for this sacred, mighty and lofty Cause." "This Book is none other than the ancient Lamp of God for the whole world and His undeviating Path amongst men. Say, it is verily the Dayspring of divine knowledge, did ye but know it, and the Dawning-place of the commandments of God, could ye but comprehend it." "Say, this is the spirit of the Scriptures breathed into the Pen of Glory, causing all creation to be dumbfounded, except those who are stirred by the vitalizing fragrance of My tender mercy and the sweet savours of My bounty which pervade all created things." (Baha'u'llah, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 7) Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight! (Baha'u'llah, Synopsis and Codification of The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 21)
[11] And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.	V.11 The Kitab-i-Aqdas is incomparable among the World's sacred Scriptures, for unlike the writings of the past, and unlike the Gospels, where there is no clear guidance regarding the future administration of the affairs of the Faith; even the Koran in which explicit laws and ordinances were formulated by Muhammad, is silent on the all important subject of future administration. The Kitab-i-Aqdas provides the laws and ordinances for "the highest means for maintenance of order in the world and for the security of its peoples." "Erelong will its sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be manifested on earth." (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 214) It is incumbent upon the Sovereigns of the world -- may God assist them -- unitedly to hold fast unto this Peace, which is the chief instrument for the protection of all mankind. It is Our hope that they will arise to achieve what will be conducive to the well-being of man. It is their duty to convene an all-inclusive assembly, which either they themselves or their ministers will attend, and to enforce whatever measures are required to establish unity and concord amongst men. They must put away the weapons of war, and turn to the instruments of universal reconstruction. Should one king rise up against another, all the other kings must arise to deter him. Arms and armaments will, then, be no more needed beyond that which is necessary to insure the internal security of their respective countries. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf , p. 30) Glorified be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou beholdest my dwelling-place, and the prison into which I am cast, and the woes I suffer. By Thy might! No pen can recount them, nor can any tongue describe or number them. I know not, O my God, for what purpose Thou hast abandoned me to Thine adversaries. Thy glory beareth me witness! I sorrow not for the vexations I endure for love of Thee, nor feel perturbed by the calamities that overtake me in Thy path. My grief is rather because Thou delayest to fulfill what Thou hast determined in the Tablets of Thy Revelation, and ordained in the books of Thy decree and judgment. (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 10)