The RevelationLogical ProofsThe Working of Wonders and MiraclesThe Fulfillment of PropheciesBack to Course OutlineHomeThe RevelationLogical ProofsThe Working of Wonders and MiraclesThe Fulfillment of PropheciesBack to Course OutlineHomeThe Revelation refers to the writings of Bahá'u'lláh. These writings were sometimes in His own Hand and sometimes recorded by secretaries and later corrected and approved by Him. The Revelation is analogous to the rays of the Sun which strike humankind and dispel the darkness of ignorance and superstition. By their pure living waters the dirt of barbarism is washed away and the graces of civilization and enlightenment appear. The Words are the greatest proof of the Manifestation of God. Nothing is more highly esteemed than knowledge. The depository of knowledge is the Book of the Manifestation. Through the Words of God, the benefits of training and education are realized, regulations are enacted and laws instituted. These laws constitute the basis upon which are founded the refinement of peoples, civilizations and nations; the preservation of society and the culture of the world. The Word shines on and is accessible to all throughout the centuries.
The Words of God as revealed through the Manifestation are not distinguished from the words of man by their eloquence, fluency, composition, harmonious phrases nor by their allegories nor by beliefs inherited through one's ancestors. Rather, the Words of God are distinguished by their perfect efficacy in the guidance of souls, enlightenment of hearts, quickening of nations, reformation of character, reorganization of society, institution of lasting and refining laws, overthrow of such proud people as may resist them and domination over whatever tyrants may pervert or antagonize them. This is all clearly evident today. The Kings and Rulers that opposed Bahá'u'lláh all met with sudden and dramatic ends. The efficacy of Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings become more manifest day by day.
The arising of the Manifestation of God, the institution by Them of laws and the enactment of regulations are solely for the guidance of souls and the removal of spiritual sicknesses. Just as medical science has the sole aim of healing the body, the Manifestation has the sole aim of healing the spiritual sickness of the individual and of the body of society.
In Matt. 12 he says "The tree is known by its fruit". It is unreasonable to believe that peace and harmony, guidance and healing should proceed from the source of error and falsehood. For example, ponder upon the actions of Mirza Yahya in Baghdad (see session 3 and also History) to see the difference in efficacy between him and Bahá'u'lláh. In Deut. 18 v. 21-22 "How shall we know the Word which the Lord hath not spoken?" "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken". Note that God has not made eloquence or miracles distinguishing proofs. This also does not mean exclusively future events, because then how could there be a first believer? The main proof is the manifest guidance and the evident power in the Manifestation's Words, i.e. His Revelation.
The Divine Power institutes a new law and a new religion. This Power is not assisted by any material kingdom or authority, nor by any glory, majesty, family influence, financial wealth, or affluence. When we find such a resistless Power triumphing unaided, we may conclude without doubt that its origin is the Divine Will.
The Manifestation is always opposed by the majority of people because they maintain that the laws they follow are unalterable and everlasting. The Manifestation enacts laws and ordinances which are not in conformity with the various opinions and ideas of peoples and nations.
The source of learning of the Manifestation is not acquired learning nor from schools or great teachers. For example, Christ was never educated in the contemporary schools of Egypt or Greece. He did not study under anyone. He did not author any books. No record testifies that He was numbered among the learned of His time (not that He wasn't innately brilliant - recall His lecturing the Rabbis in the Temple as a youth). The Greek and Egyptian philosophers of the time could not deliver the people from the fetters of corrupt beliefs nor purify them from shameful practices, e.g. offering children in sacrifice to idols, worshipping animals, trees and rivers, violating chaste women in the cult of the goddess of beauty, burying girls alive, burning the living with the dead. On the contrary, philosophers of the time defended those beliefs. But the shining light of Christ radically changed the views of society over time, demonstrating the efficacy of the Words of that Illiterate Man. Muhammad was also illiterate but brought the light of civilization where all the philosophers had failed. God brings His Revelation to the Uneducated so that the contrast may be as visible as the sun. In fact, Christ left an illiterate fisherman in charge! (see John 7:15-16). What family aid did Christ receive in spreading His Message? What king assisted Him? What wealth promoted His Faith? He was a penniless, uneducated carpenter's son. Clearly, it is the Power of the Word of God that caused the Teachings of Christ to be spread. Paul, in First Epistle to the Corinthians 1:22-23 says "For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness". The Jews wanted to see the working of wonders and miracles but what the received was the Word of God and a crucified Manifestation, indeed a test for those who could not see. The Greek philosophers received "foolish teachings" of love, not extraordinary new wisdom in philosophy that they were hoping for. In I Cor. 1:27: "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty". We shall see this plainly evident in Bahá'u'lláh as well. Regarding Moses, how could He and the Israelites power and wealth be compared with the Pharaoh, whom they overcame? Regarding Muhammad, it is charged that Islam was spread by the power of the sword but an examination of history reveals that it spread through the Arabs before the flight of Muhammad and before their need to defend themselves against those who would destroy them. Christianity was spread before the conversion of Constantine the Great and the assistance of the Caesars and so was not dependent upon their assistance, likewise, were it not for the Word of God, the armies would have been enlisted by the ranks of the "infidels", hence would have opposed the Manifestations.
Bahá'u'lláh satisfies these logical proofs most plainly of all Messengers because of the bounty of having available to us an accurate history. Bahá'u'lláh grew up in a wealthy, influential family. Even before His own Revelation, His wealth and position were stripped away because of His allegiance to the Báb. He became despised by the people for this allegiance. He was not educated. No King nor ruler arose to assist Him, rather, two Kings persecuted Him and did everything they felt they could to exterminate His Message and exiled Him from place to place. Bahá'u'lláh forbade the use of the sword, i.e. the use of force, in the spreading of His Faith. Yet the combined forces of two great empires could not stop His Revelation from encircling the globe. This victory is clearly due to the Will of God.
Ponder upon this: if you are seeking a physician to cure your ills, to evaluate the validity of the physician do you demand that she levitate and fly around the room, and only if she can perform such a feat acknowledge that she is a fine doctor? If you answered yes to this question I have the names of a few therapists that I could recommend, otherwise, read on. In effect, this is what people are demanding if they insist that the Manifestation of God performs wonders and miracles. Their task is to reform the morals of humankind, to diagnose the disease of society and deliver the remedy, not to perform wonders and miracles. The working of miracles has no connection to the station of Manifestation. The true miracles that are performed are plainly evident to all and cannot be disputed: the revelation of the Word of God and its transforming power over the peoples of the world. For example, if a man says 4 is greater than 10 and proceeds to turn a rod into a serpent, while I will be quite impressed by this feat I will still not believe that 4 is greater than 10. The Words must demonstrate Truth.
The Manifestation of God has the mission to guide the people, reform the moral principles, develop spiritual qualities and beautify the characters of man. How many times has Christ said in response to the request for a sign "Thou shalt not tempt Thy Lord"? The working of miracles would not have a lasting effect. It is not a proof to those who did not witness the event for over the passing of time it becomes a belief which can be disputed. Miracles therefore are not a primary proof.
Notwithstanding, numerous miracles have been performed by the Manifestations of God. As a general rule, if wonders and miracles are connected with the perfection of the Sacred Spirit manifested in them then such can be considered as real, accurate facts and therefore as secondary proofs. E.g. consider the many reported works of Moses - these were not performed as a magic show but in connection with the fulfillment of His Mission. There are numerous reports of wonders and miracles in connection with the Báb (see the episode of His execution in session 2) and Bahá'u'lláh. One of my favorite historical facts from the life of Bahá'u'lláh concerns a challenge that He accepted in which He was asked to perform a miracle. He agreed, but with the condition that those antagonistic people would put in writing that if He performed the miracle, anything of their choosing, that they become loyal followers. That group of clergyman could not agree on anything difficult enough for Bahá'u'lláh to perform, so they withdrew their challenge (see session 3). The great miracles are the demonstrations of the efficacy of the Word of the Manifestation. Bahá'u'lláh sent numerous letters to the Kings and rulers demanding that they reform their ways, accept His Faith, and treat their citizens with justice and warned that their refusal to do so would result in the loss of their power and kingdoms. In every case this came to pass, often with stunning and unexpected swiftness. Recall the fate of leaders such as Napoleon III, Czar Alexander II, Kaiser Wilhelm I, Emperor Francis Joseph, Sultan Abdu'l-Aziz, Nasiri'd-Din Shah, Pope Pious IX. They all rejected His message. They all lost power and met with disgrace.
This too is a secondary proof, containing allegory and symbolism. There are two aspects to this: the revelation of prophecies concerning the next Manifestation is itself a proof of being a Manifestation, for those individuals who are not do not think to reaffirm the continuity of the Divine Plan. Bahá'u'lláh has written of this topic and pronounced that there would not be another Manifestation of God ere the expiration of a full 1000 years. The other aspect is the fulfillment of prophecies which will be the prime focus here.
As to the fulfillment of prophecies by the Manifestation, this must be viewed with an open mind and an open heart. It is one of the tests given to us that we must overcome in our journey of seeking after truth. The proofs are subtle. Language radically changes in the course of centuries, generations and cultures therefore these prophecies can scarcely be understood after the lapse of many centuries, nay, millennia. Divine prophecies are symbolic and sealed (recall "Oh Daniel shut up thy book") - the essential purpose is unknown and up to the Manifestation to unravel the mysteries enshrined within. There are thousands of prophecies fulfilled by Bahá'u'lláh. I will focus on Biblical prophecies here, but it can be shown with equal validity that the prophecies of all religions are satisfied.
Matt. 24:13-14 The Gospel shall be preached throughout the world. Dr. D. Leonard in "A Hundred Years of Missions" states that by 1804 the Bible was in 50 languages. By 1816 the American Bible Society was formed. G.S.Faber in "8 Dissertations" published in 1844 says the Bible has been spread to virtually all countries. Recall that in 1842 Livingstone opened the African interior. See also Mark 13:33, 13:26. Hence, this was fulfilled sometime prior to 1844.
The Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:7, 21:24-27) is the time when Jerusalem would be held in the power of non-Jews. After the crucifixion Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman Titus (70AD). The Jews tried to regain their freedom in 132AD under Bar Cochba but were crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The Jews were crushed and banished in 637AD when the Muslims conquered Jerusalem and raised the Mosque of Omar upon the foundation of the Temple of Solomon. The Edict of Toleration was signed on March 21, 1844 by the Turkish government permitting the Jews to return. Hence, the Times of the Gentiles was fulfilled on March 21, 1844.
Some background is needed for the next prophecy. In the book of Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 we are given a numerical guide for interpreting prophecy: "each day for a year". We will later test this hypothesis.
In Genesis 7:11 "the waters of the flood came upon the 17th day of the 2nd month", 8:4 "the waters abated and ceased on the 17th day of the 7th month" and in 7:24 "the waters prevailed upon the earth 150 days". Thus we have a period of 5 months which equals 150 days, hence in Biblical terms each month is 30 days and each year is 360 days. Combining that with each day for a year, in Biblical terms, if a time prophecy is given as 1 month, that is 30 days and hence means 30 years.
Now for the test. Matt. 24:15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place". According to Daniel, from the decree issued to rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah is to be cut off is 70 weeks, i.e. 490 years. The decree which actually resulted in the rebuilding of Jerusalem was issued in 457BC by Artaxerxes (the actual rebuilding was fulfilled in 444BC). 457BC+490+1=34AD, (the extra 1 is due to there being no year 0AD). This is the year, in Biblical terms, in which Jesus was crucified, i.e. the Messiah was cut off at age 33 in the year 34AD. This confirms the premise of "each day for a year". Continuing on, in Daniel 8:13-14 "Unto 2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed". 457BC+2300+1=1844, the year of the Declaration of the Báb (actually the evening of May 22). Amazing. The Templars, under Leonard H. Kelber understood the time prophecies and packed up their belongings and resettled at the foot of Mount Carmel, expecting to see their Lord in the 1843-1845 time frame. You can see their homes today, still standing with inscriptions such as "Der Herr ist Nigh" (the Lord is near) inscribed above a doorway.
Refer to Isaiah 62:2, 65:15, Revelation 2:17 regarding the New Name. Isaiah 35:2 "the excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the Glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God". The title Bahá'u'lláh means "the Glory of God" or "the Splendor of our Lord". Isaiah 40:5 "And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of God hath spoken it". Matt 16:27 "for the Son of man shall come in the Glory of His Father". Ezekiel 1:28 "...the appearance of the Glory of the Lord And when I saw it, I fell upon my face". This is clear. The name shall be the Glory of the Lord, i.e. Bahá'u'lláh.
Another time prophecy can be found in Daniel 7:25 "a time and times and 1/2 time" is 1 + 2 + 1/2 times which is three and a half times, i.e. three and a half years, when multiplied by 360 is 1260 years, again 1844 because it refers to the Islamic lunar calendar in this case. Daniel is ordered to, in 12:4, "shut up the Words and seal the Book even to the time of the end". The meaning will become evident at the time of the end and become easy once it is explained by the Messenger.
We have seen the time, we have heard the name, now for the place. In Daniel 18:2 the place is called Elam (Persia). Jeremiah 49:38 "And I will set my throne in Elam". This is indeed where the Báb lived out His ministry and where Bahá'u'lláh began His mission. In Ezekiel 43:4 "And the Glory of the Lord came into the house by way of the gate". The Glory of the Lord is of course Bahá'u'lláh. The Gate is the Báb (i.e. the Báb means the gate in Arabic) and He prepared the way for Bahá'u'lláh.
We will conclude with an amazing set of prophecies from Micah. Micah was asked "where is the Lord thy God?" (Micah 7:10). He answered (Micah 7:12) he shall come from the fortified cities". Bahá'u'lláh was exiled from Baghdad (Babylon) to the fortified city of Constantinople (Istanbul) and then to the fortified prison-city of Akká (Acre, Israel). "he shall come from the fortress even to the river": When Bahá'u'lláh was released from prison many years later, He journeyed to an island in the river called Na'mayn. "he shall come from mountain to mountain": Bahá'u'lláh spent two years in the mountains of Kurdistán (Sulaymáníyyih) and years later pitched His tent on Mount Carmel. "he shall come from sea to sea": His journey to Constantinople forced Him to cross the Black Sea. During the exile from Adrianople (Edirne) to Akká He crossed the Mediterranean Sea. Micah 7:13 "the land shall be desolate". Akká indeed was desolate. It was said that the climate so poor and the air so foul that should a bird fly over Akká it would fall down dead. Micah 7:14 "Feed thy people with thy rod , the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel". Bahá'u'lláh indeed pitched His tent in a small wood in the midst of Carmel. On that stony, barren mountain, Bahá'u'lláh indicated the place where the shrine of the Báb should be erected. He fed his people and His flock with His teachings and words of loving kindness, and He linked His presence on Carmel with that of Jesus for the feet of Christ too walked on this holy mountain. Lastly, Micah said how long it would take for all this to occur: Micah 7:15 "According to the days of thy (Israel) coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things". This was a forty year period as you recall from the Bible. Bahá'u'lláh became aware of His Mission around August of 1852. His Ministry ended at His Ascension on May 29, 1892, almost exactly 40 years.
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of other Biblical prophecies fulfilled but this brief discussion should give you the idea. Bear in mind that these are considered secondary proofs, but they are rather interesting. There are other websites that deal more exhaustively with prophecies. You can search for such sites at: search and use "prophecy" as your search key. This will find all the latest sites on the topic.
© 1999, 2002 by the Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Boise
All rights reserved.