A Study of Baha’u’llah’s
Kitab-i-Iqan, The Book of Certitude
|
The Universal House of Justice: Messages from the
Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986, 547
...In answer to a question about Bahá'u'lláh's reference to the "fourth
heaven" in the Kitáb-i-Íqán [Kitáb-i-Íqán page 89], the
Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf:
As to the ascent of Christ to the fourth heaven, as revealed in the glorious
"Book of Íqán," he [the Guardian] stated that the "fourth
heaven" is a term used and a belief held by the early astronomers. The
followers of the Shí'í sect likewise held this belief. As the Kitáb-i-Íqán
was revealed for the guidance of that sect, this term was used in conformity
with the concepts of its followers. (Translated from the Arabic, from an
unpublished letter)
In studying such statements, however, we must have the humility to appreciate
the limitations of our own knowledge and outlook, and strive always to
understand the purpose of Bahá'u'lláh in making them, trying to look upon Him
with His own eyes, as it were.
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Also, on the subject of resurrection Abdu’l-Baha wrote:
Verily the heaven into which the Messiah rose up was not
this unending sky, rather was His heaven the Kingdom of His beneficent Lord.
Even as He Himself hath said, 'I came down from heaven,'[John 6:38] and again,
'The Son of Man is in heaven.'[John 3:13] Hence it is clear that His heaven is
beyond all directional points; it encircleth all existence, and is raised up
for those who worship God. Beg and implore thy Lord to lift thee up into that
heaven, and give thee to eat of its food, in this age of majesty and might.
(Abdu'l-Baha,
Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 168 )