The Book of Revelation
TABLE of CONTENTS
One Bahá'í's Concept
PAGE
_11 Preface - and acknowledgements
_13 Foreword - One Bahá'í's Concept
The Revelation of Jesus Christ about the Time of the End
(The End of the Age - and what was to come after the Christian Dispensation).
_15 Introduction
The concept of archetypes and the nature of prophecy.
Part One
Seven Major Religions
_21 Chapter One - The Book of Revelation
Jesus introduces that - the One who holds the Seven Stars (candlesticks, churches, the seven major religions of the world) in His right hand is Bahá'u'lláh - the Christ returned. He brings the unity of God's Messengers.
_31 Chapter Two - The Book of Revelation
The (Angels, Stars, Spirits, Candlesticks, Churches, Religions) are all interchangeable symbols.
John is told to write to each of these religions beginning first with the most ancient of these churches and continuing on with each church as it appeared in history. He approves (commends) each religion for what it has attained - and condemns those things in which they have fallen short.
_51 Chapter Three - The Book of Revelation
Each of the religions has good qualities, as do each of its followers, but each needs the revitalization and unity brought by Bahá'u'lláh.
_63 Chapter Four - The Book of Revelation
This chapter deals with the religion that is to come ‘hereafter’: the Fulfullment of the previous religions. This chapter introduces the Báb.
_71 Chapter Five - The Book of Revelation
A study of the progressive nature of religion shows that each succeeding religion has brought ‘additional’ concepts about God, and a more inclusive social organization for its followers.
This chapter basically is telling us about a new paradigm of unity of all the religions of the world.
Part Two
Spiritual Challenges for
The Seven Major Religions
_79 Chapter Six - The Book of Revelation
When an old system is cast away and a new system takes its place, there are often major upheavals. The time of a major transition for the human race is its passing from adolescence onto adulthood which is the 'Time of Fulfillment' of the prophecies of all the religions. In this chapter there are described the trials and tribulations associated with this transition.
_91 Chapter Seven - The Book of Revelation
The purpose of religion is to bring harmony and unity between God and man, and between men and man. In the Bahá'í teachings it is said that it is better that there be no religion than a religion that causes disunity. Particularly, at this 'Time of Fulfillment', unity is the prime purpose of the Bahá'í Faith to bring all the tribes of the earth together and to unify them into One.
_97 Chapter Eight - The Book of Revelation
The awakening of mankind progresses in stages - some of which will be extremely traumatic. The events described here have both outward and inward (material and spiritual) meanings. Many people recognize in these verses a great universal catastrophic event often referred to as Armageddon. While the external events will be very significant in the history of mankind it is the internal spiritual significances that are more important.
109 Chapter Nine - The Book of Revelation
The first half of this chapter deals with the Fifth Angel - which is the Buddhist Religion and the second half (starting in verse 13) with the Sixth Angel - which is the Angel of the Christian Religion. The chapter extensively discusses the relationship of the Buddhist religion to China and Japan and both the interaction that they came to have with Christianity and the future that they hold in the Bahá'í world.
Part Three
The Special Spiritual Challenge for Islám
127 Chapter Ten - The Book of Revelation
In this chapter we begin to see the transition from the Islámic religion to
the Báb (The Forerunner) and the Bahá'í Faith.
135 Chapter Eleven - The Book of Revelation
This is a very favoured chapter in the Bahá'í teachings because 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Center of the Covenant) Himself wrote the explanation. This chapter describes the relationship of Islám and the former Faiths to the New Dispensation. This chapter is also key to what is called by 'Abdu'l-Bahá (in Rev.12:6) the ‘Most Conclusive Proof'.
147 Chapter Twelve - The Book of Revelation
The explanation by 'Abdu'l-Bahá continues in this chapter, and is also an integral part of what is called by 'Abdu'l-Bahá (in Verse 6) the ‘Most Conclusive Proof'.
This can be found in books such as 'Thief in the Night' written by Hand of the Cause William Sears and is also presented in a comprehensive summary form in the final appendix of this book.
157 Chapter Thirteen - The Book of Revelation
This chapter is the continuing story of what happened to the Islámic Faith. In the West people know little of its history, and have often seen little significance of its destiny in relation to world events. However, the events in the closing decades of the 20th century should have given them a new awareness.
Part Four
Catastrophes at
The Time of The End
169 Chapter Fourteen - The Book of Revelation
The prophecies for the last days in the Book of Revelation are to the whole world and in this chapter we begin to see both the New Song regarding the Teachings of God and the problems that will befall the world in its struggle to accept the Teachings.
179 Chapter Fifteen - The Book of Revelation
Although there is a sense of dramatic fear 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.
183 Chapter Sixteen - The Book of Revelation
This chapter points to 1914 as the beginning of Armageddon which will culminate in the Catastrophic Battle. While some interpretations may correctly emphasize more literal physical events (such as biochemical weapons) associated with the vials discussed throughout this chapter, the emphasis here is more on their spiritual significance and their relationship to each of seven religions.
The italicized quoted interpretations of the verses of Revelation Chapter 16 are all attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá by pilgrims notes of Isabella Brittingham in an April 1909 letter.
191 Chapter Seventeen - The Book of Revelation
This chapter deals with the relationship between the previous religions and the New Dispensation. Many have seen in this chapter the trials of the last days.
197 Chapter Eighteen - The Book of Revelation
Often considered the most dramatic description of the final battle of Armageddon, with the destruction of the greatest city of our time (which is symbolized as Babylon). It must also be read in its spiritual sense.
Part Five
Promise of the
Thousand Year Fulfillment
209 Chapter Nineteen - The Book of Revelation
This chapter is about Fulfillment.
217 Chapter Twenty - The Book of Revelation
This chapter is about Fulfillment- but also about destiny in that it explains that each dispensation has its termination and that in a thousand years another great (but lesser) catastrophe will take place with the coming of the next Manifestation.
227 Chapter Twenty-One - The Book of Revelation
In this day a festival is taking place in the realm above, for whatsoever was promised in the sacred Scriptures hath been fulfilled. This the Day of great rejoicing. (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh p.78)
This chapter is about the nature of Fullfilment.
241 Chapter Twenty-Two - The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation which for centuries has been a closed book is now open to all mankind.
251 Conclusion - One Bahá'í's Concept
Contrasting the common concepts about The Book of Revelation and the concept presented here. Discussion of why The Book of Revelation is a 'Book of Proof' rather than a 'Book of Prophecy'.
Appendices
_27 Chapter One Appendix - Note On: Christian Theology "Only Begotten Son"
What Christians mean by the expression "Only Begotten Son".
_66 Chapter Four Appendix - Various Symbols in the Book of Revelation
Explanations of various symbols in the Book of Revelation - such as angels, beasts, horns, crowns, dragons, 'mark of the beast' and others.
_87 Chapter Six Appendix - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse arose out of Four Institutions that were originally established to bring order and benefit to mankind but whose forms had now become old and decrepit.
_95 Chapter Seven Appendix - The Four Angels of the Euphrates
The Four Angels of the Euphrates (Rev.9:14) are the four of the Seven Religions that are centered in the Middle East. They are the: - Sabean
- Judaic
- Zoroastrian
- Islámic
104 Chapter Eight Appendix - The Three Woes
Sometimes the Manifestations Themselves, of the New Religions, are referred to as "Woes", because Their arrival appears to cause such travail for mankind.
123 Chapter Nine Appendix - External Interpretations of Archetypes
Some see in the prophecies of the Book of Revelation "archetypes" for possible external events rather than their having only spiritual meanings. This is an example of such interpretations.
133 Chapter Ten Appendix - Islam in the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation, the most prophetic book in the New Testament, is now a test for Christians because a significant part of it is prophecies about Muhammad.
154 Chapter Twelve Appendix - The Anti-Christ
The term 'antichrist' does not appear in the Book of Revelation. It does appear in the Bible in the New Testament. Many Christians identify the antichrist with the beast or Dragon mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
163 Chapter Thirteen Appendix - The Book of Daniel Chapter 7
Many of the archetypes found in the Book of Revelation are also found elsewhere throughout the Bible. Here is a discussion of the similarity between Revelation 13 and Daniel 7.
176 Chapter Fourteen Appendix - Symbolism of 666 and Other Names and Numbers
The number 666 has concerned many people as being identified with the Anti-Christ. Others have seen it as a measure of time, and while it does have a close connection to both Islámic times, and the Islámic calendar, there follows an explanation of how it is said to represent a name.
239 Chapter Twenty-one Appendix - Jerusalem and the 144,000
Jerusalem is mentioned in the King James Bible 747 times and in the authorized Bahá'í Writings 200 times. Its meaning is discussed here.
253 Catastrophe Appendix - Concept of Catastrophe in the Bahá'í Faith
Should anyone think that the Bahá'í Faith does not fully expect a catastrophe of the untold dimensions described as Armaggedon, then let's study the following exerpts from the writings of Shoghi Effendi.
257 History Appendix - History of the Bahá'í Faith
A summary Reprinted from the 1988 Britannica Book of the Year.
2262 Chart of the Nine Angels
Sorted by the Nine Religions
383 The Most Conclusive Proof Appendix
"The Most Conclusive Proof" as presented here is intended to lead the reader through the mathematical Proof that Jesus was the Christ and then applies those same methods to prophecies regarding this day and age.
Expectation of the Return of Christ
A New Paradigm
The Mathematical Proof
431 Bibliography
438 Note on Transliteration
Spellings and character markings used.
List of Illustrations (not on the Internet): 10 Frontpiece - 12 Chart of Book of Revelation - 20 Trumpet Baha'i - 30 Nine Churches - 34 Sabean - 38 Hindu - 42 Jewish - 46 Zoroastrian - 50 Buddhist - 54 Christan - 58 Islam - 62 Babi - 78 Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - 90 Four Angels of the Euphrates - 142 Accidental blank page - 146 Most Conclusive Proof - 156 Six, Six, Six - 168 One hundred and forty four thousand - 208 One thousand years of peace