Jesus Speaks - Chapter 15

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Jesus Speaks
To The World Religions
Chapter Fifteen
Book of Revelation

CONCEPT BOX
Although there is a sense of dread of the last days, there is also a feeling of joy, and a deeper sense of relief, as the Teachings will bring justice, and peace - a new life to the world.

The convulsions of this transitional and most turbulent period in the annals of humanity are the essential prerequisites, and herald the inevitable approach, of that Age of Ages, "the time of the end," in which the folly and tumult of strife that has, since the dawn of history, blackened the annals of mankind, will have been finally transmuted into the wisdom and the tranquility of an undisturbed, a universal, and lasting peace, in which the discord and separation of the children of men will have given way to the worldwide reconciliation, and the complete unification of the divers elements that constitute human society.

(Shoghi Effendi,
The Promised Day is Come,
p.117)

181 The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System -- the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.
182 Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of this Cause -- a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces beaming with joy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it; and as to him that hath refused to seek it -- verily, God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His creatures.
183 Say: This is the infallible Balance which the Hand of God is holding, in which all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth are weighed, and their fate determined, if ye be of them that believe and recognize this truth. Say: This is the Most Great Testimony, by which the validity of every proof throughout the ages hath been established, would that ye might be assured thereof. Say: Through it the poor have been enriched, the learned enlightened, and the seekers enabled to ascend unto the presence of God. Beware lest ye make it a cause of dissension amongst you. Be ye as firmly settled as the immovable mountain in the Cause of your Lord, the Mighty, the Loving. (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 85)

(Baha'u'llah,
The Kitab-i-Aqdas,
p. 85)

The Destiny of America

The immediate destiny of America is very grim, but it may yet through the chastisement be turned into a moral and spiritual leader among humanity. Its future could be very great - not so much in the materialistic things it favors and espouses in the present, but in spiritual values that it at present knows little about.

There have been four great evils in the present day:

2. Racism - a tragedy destined to play out on the American scene during the Last Great Battle of Armageddon.

3. Fundamentalism and especially of Islam - something which it astounds most people to learn that it is one of the major and predominant subjects of the Book of Revelation. But, Islam is about to eat itself alive with Jihad between its two competing branches. The problem of fundamentalism is equally bad in the Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian religions. It may take centuries to resolve.

4. Autonomy, actually anarchy, among the nations. The chief proponent, practioner and defender of national anarchy has been the United States. The US is identified as The Great Harlot, Mystery Babylon the Great. The destruction of Babylon the Great, a necessary step towards the remedy to international autonomy, is near at hand.

It is the consequences and events surrounding these latter two that is the subject of much of the Book of Revelation.

In the AFTERWORD of this chapter we examine the "End Time Verses" of Daniel Chapter Eleven as being referenced in the Gospels and attach an appendix with an analysis of the verses of Daniel 11.

Bible Verses
[1] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

V.1 In a vision the seven Angels of the seven churches appeared to John, having the seven last plagues, filled with the wrath of God. These again are the angels of the seven religions of the world. Baha'u'llah in this Day has given the world a warning.

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

[2] And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

V.2 This marvelous sign appeared to John as 'a sea of clear transparent glass mingled with fire'. This was a fire of sacrifice, as many found the new message. With harps they sang their praises, with clear wisdom and understanding and without being clouded by the "mark" and the "name" as explained in previous chapters.

A Prayer:
O God, my God! Thou hast lighted the lamp of Thy Cause with the oil of wisdom; protect it from contrary winds. The lamp is Thine, and the glass is Thine, and all things in the heavens and on earth are in the grasp of Thy power. Bestow justice upon the rulers, and fairness upon the divines.
(Baha'u'llah,
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf,
p. 104)

[3] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

V.3 They sing the song (religion) of Moses, and the song (religion) of Christ, this is renewal without all the rituals and dogmas that men have added during the years. They give praise to God as they recognize Baha'u'llah's marvelous works bringing the religions together, calling Him just and true, the King of saints.

In this Day a great festival is taking place in the Realm above; for whatsoever was promised in the sacred Scriptures hath been fulfilled. This is the Day of great rejoicing. It behoveth everyone to hasten towards the court of His nearness with exceeding joy, gladness, exultation and delight and to deliver himself from the fire of remoteness.
(Baha'u'llah,
Tablets of Baha'u'llah,
p. 78)

[4] Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

V.4 . In Isaiah we are told that salvation awaits those who keep justice and righteousness, and will be brought to God's Holy Mountain. The temple there will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Is 2: 2-4) The teachings of the Baha'i Faith will bring justice and unite all the nations of the world.

ISAIAH
2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

King James Bible

[5] And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

V.5 John saw that the 'tabernacle of the testimony' is open. The temple is a place devoted to a special purpose, and the tabernacle of testimony suggests that this place like the divine decree of Mosaic law, is one of very high importance.

The Baha'i House of Worship is dedicated to the praise of God. The House of Worship forms the central edifice of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (the Dawning-place of the Praise of God), a complex which, as it unfolds in the future, will comprise in addition to the House of Worship a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific pursuits
.
Baha'u'llah
The Kitab-i-Aqdas,
p. 190

[6] And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

V.6 The seven Angels, who brought the plagues, came from the temple . They are signified as righteous, and the fact that they have golden girdles tells us what they have brought is divine; is to be a calamity ordained by God.

My calamity and My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.
(Baha'u'llah,
Arabic Hidden Words no. 51)

[7] And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

V.7 One of the four rulers (explained in Chapter six) gave the vials of God's wrath, to the seven angels. This shows the interaction between heaven and earth. God's Destiny and men's actions. Worldly powers with their nefarious forces of destruction executing God's wrath upon the earth.

[8] And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

V.8 The smoke from the 'Glory of God'; the power of Baha'u'llah was there, but most are unaware of the Presence. Baha'u'llah's purpose is to cause mankind to cast aside the corrupt lower nature, and accept God's Plan.

This is the Day whereon the earth shall tell out her tidings. The workers of iniquity are her burdens, could ye but perceive it. The moon of idle fancy hath been cleft, and the heaven hath given out a palpable smoke. We see the people laid low, awed with the dread of thy Lord, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. The Crier hath cried out, and men have been torn away, so great hath been the fury of His wrath. The people of the left hand sigh and bemoan. The people of the right abide in noble habitations: they quaff the Wine that is life indeed, from the hands of the All-Merciful, and are, verily, the blissful.
(Baha'u'llah,
The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah,
p. 100)

Afterword Chapter Fifteen

Discussion of End Time Verses
in Daniel Chapter Eleven
Beyond End Time Bible Verses

Isaiah Chapter Eleven
There are many 'beyond end time' Bible prophecies. One famous passage, known by all with even a passing acquaintance of the Bible, is at the beginning of Isaiah Chapter Eleven that describes how after the Judgment there will come a period which people view as a time when the 'lion and lamb shall lie peacefully together'.
Isaiah Chapter Twelve
There are also references in Chapter Twelve of Isaiah to the gathering together again of scattered Israel.

End Time Bible Verses
Starting with Chapter Fourteen in the Book of Revelation, and going through Chapter Eighteen, is this series of chapters dealing with Babylon. As will be seen in a later chapter, the King of The South is the archetype of Babylon, and for that reason this chapter, Daniel Eleven, is attached to this chapter as an appendix.
Daniel Chapter Eleven portrays two kings (two countries) which are the main antagonists in the "end times" leading up to that event described by Daniel in the first verse of Daniel Chapter Twelve.
If one feels that the commentary in the right hand column fairly presents the verses in the left, and then if one reads down that commentary and finds it a fair and orderly summary of the last century, one can hardly be otherwise than astounded by the prophetic accuracy of the prophet Daniel.
There are many "end time" verses in the Bible.
Before we get into Daniel -
here is an overview of other scriptures
that set the tone for the "end of days",
and the time spoken of by Daniel the Prophet.

Matthew
24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mark
13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Daniel 12:1 ... a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:

When you read through the verses above that have been highlighted in red, it becomes very clear that although they are in Matthew, Mark and Daniel, that they are all talking about the same unique time, a one and only time, described elsewhere as the time of Jacob's Troubles, and the time of the Destruction of Babylon, which we know as the time of Armageddon, which is accompanied by the Great Catastrophe.
Daniel Eleven, is attached to this chapter as an appendix.

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Bible Verses [1] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.	V.1 In a vision the seven Angels of the seven churches appeared to John, having the seven last plagues, filled with the wrath of God. These again are the angels of the seven religions of the world. Baha'u'llah in this Day has given the world a warning. The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody. (Baha'u'llah, LXI Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah p.118)
[2] And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.	V.2 This marvelous sign appeared to John as 'a sea of clear transparent glass mingled with fire'. This was a fire of sacrifice, as many found the new message. With harps they sang their praises, with clear wisdom and understanding and without being clouded by the "mark" and the "name" as explained in previous chapters. A Prayer: O God, my God! Thou hast lighted the lamp of Thy Cause with the oil of wisdom; protect it from contrary winds. The lamp is Thine, and the glass is Thine, and all things in the heavens and on earth are in the grasp of Thy power. Bestow justice upon the rulers, and fairness upon the divines. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 104)
[3] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.	V.3 They sing the song (religion) of Moses, and the song (religion) of Christ, this is renewal without all the rituals and dogmas that men have added during the years. They give praise to God as they recognize Baha'u'llah's marvelous works bringing the religions together, calling Him just and true, the King of saints. In this Day a great festival is taking place in the Realm above; for whatsoever was promised in the sacred Scriptures hath been fulfilled. This is the Day of great rejoicing. It behoveth everyone to hasten towards the court of His nearness with exceeding joy, gladness, exultation and delight and to deliver himself from the fire of remoteness. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 78)
[4] Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.	V.4 . In Isaiah we are told that salvation awaits those who keep justice and righteousness, and will be brought to God's Holy Mountain. The temple there will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Is 2: 2-4) The teachings of the Baha'i Faith will bring justice and unite all the nations of the world. ISAIAH 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. King James Bible
[5] And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:	V.5 John saw that the 'tabernacle of the testimony' is open. The temple is a place devoted to a special purpose, and the tabernacle of testimony suggests that this place like the divine decree of Mosaic law, is one of very high importance. The Baha'i House of Worship is dedicated to the praise of God. The House of Worship forms the central edifice of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (the Dawning-place of the Praise of God), a complex which, as it unfolds in the future, will comprise in addition to the House of Worship a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific pursuits . Baha'u'llah The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 190
[6] And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.	V.6 The seven Angels, who brought the plagues, came from the temple . They are signified as righteous, and the fact that they have golden girdles tells us what they have brought is divine; is to be a calamity ordained by God. My calamity and My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it. (Baha'u'llah, Arabic Hidden Words no. 51)
[7] And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.	V.7 One of the four rulers (explained in Chapter six) gave the vials of God's wrath, to the seven angels. This shows the interaction between heaven and earth. God's Destiny and men's actions. Worldly powers with their nefarious forces of destruction executing God's wrath upon the earth.
[8] And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.	V.8 The smoke from the 'Glory of God'; the power of Baha'u'llah was there, but most are unaware of the Presence. Baha'u'llah's purpose is to cause mankind to cast aside the corrupt lower nature, and accept God's Plan. This is the Day whereon the earth shall tell out her tidings. The workers of iniquity are her burdens, could ye but perceive it. The moon of idle fancy hath been cleft, and the heaven hath given out a palpable smoke. We see the people laid low, awed with the dread of thy Lord, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. The Crier hath cried out, and men have been torn away, so great hath been the fury of His wrath. The people of the left hand sigh and bemoan. The people of the right abide in noble habitations: they quaff the Wine that is life indeed, from the hands of the All-Merciful, and are, verily, the blissful. (Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 100)