Bible Verses [1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.	One Bahá'í's Concept V.1 "A door was opened in heaven." The Voice of the Trumpet called John to 'Come, I will show you things which must come shortly. The Book of Revelation gives new meaning to religion, bringing new concepts, also a history that is truly amazing as it is right on with the times of this century. We would not have understood if the book had been open before this era. The Door that was opened is the Báb. (The meaning of the word 'Báb' is 'Gate'). He opens a new cycle, and is the forerunner for the new age. He tells of things to come and foretells that the Promised one, promised in all the Holy Scriptures would come in 19 years. The Báb's voice, also a Trumpet, tells John that He also will reveal what is to come. The trumpet asketh: 'Hath the Bugle been sounded?' Say: 'Yea, by the King of Revelation!, when He mounted the throne of His Name, the All-Merciful.' (Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 132)
[2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.	V.2 John immediately was 'in the spirit' like a vision. A throne was set up in Heaven, a place of high authority, and he observed One that sat on the throne: 'Bahá'u'lláh'. Only those who recognize Bahá'u'lláh and the New Name will accept that interpretation.
[3] And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.	V.3 The 'One on the throne' was described as 'to be looked upon as a Jasper stone'. The ancient Jasper is green and clear, a symbol of clarity. The Sardine stone is milk white and a symbol of purity. There is a rainbow around His throne, made up of seven prismatic colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. The rainbow is a symbol of the seven religions of the world. The different colors when brought together make up one ray of light. When you study all the religions you understand better the one in which you were raised. Together they give a beautiful message with a much fuller meaning of truth, and together they bring unity. The Emerald is green, which symbolizes Springtime: This is the beginning of a new day, a new cycle, a new age.
[4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.	V.4 Around the throne or 'station of divine authority' sat 24 elders or disciples. They had spiritual authority and were clothed in white - meaning with righteousness and purity. There were twelve disciples, both for Christ, and Muhammad. The Báb's disciples are called 'Letters of the Living' and Bahá'u'lláh's disciples are called Hands of the Cause. 'Golden' is always a sign of Divine authority. Regarding the four and twenty elders: The Master ('Abdu'l-Bahá) in a Tablet, stated that they are the Báb, the 18 Letters of the Living and five others who would be known in the future. So far we do not know who these five other are." (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 22, 1934: Bahá'í News, No. 171, November 1944, p. 2) (Lights of Guidance, p. 507) For more about the four and twenty elders look at Rev.11:16.
[5] And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.	V.5 These lightnings and thunderings and voices are the great disturbances caused by the message that the new Prophet brings. Always there are great storms of opposition and violence, mostly from the leaders of religion and the political leaders. The Seven Spirits, like lamps burning with the love of God are the Seven Angels or Prophets of the seven great religions of the world to which this new message is directed.
[6] And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.	V.6 Before the throne was a sea of glass, which is a clear vision of truth without the flaw or blemish of man-made doctrine. The four rulers (beasts) had 'eyes' which represent knowledge of things before and after.
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.	V.7 Four beasts are described: the first is like a lion, ferocious, the second like a calf, calm, the third like a face of a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. .the four beasts, or creatures, as explained by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in a tablet to a German believer, represent the first four rulers who will arise to spread the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh over the whole world, as the good king of India, King Asoka, organized Buddhism as the state religion in 264 B.C. and promulgated it actively throughout Asia and Emperor Constantine spread Christianity throughout Europe. (Ruth Moffett, New Keys to the Book of Revelation p.20) The Zoroastrian Faith also became known only after the king promoted it.
[8] And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.	V.8 The four rulers (beasts) are described as each having six wings which represent the power to spread the faith rapidly. They have eyes that can see within, representing the ability to see future implications and past development with understanding and insight. They rest neither day nor night, and praise God, who was, (the Revealers of the past) and is, (the Revealers at present) and is to come (the Revealers of the future). God is always there to guide mankind.
[9] And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,	V.9 The four rulers are followers of the New Prophet, who give thanks and honour. They are very devoted to the One on the throne, who is Bahá'u'lláh'.
[10] The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,	V.10 The disciples cast their crowns before the throne, meaning they recognize the high authority of the two new Prophets of God. They are all very humble individuals willing to sacrifice their lives for Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb, the Twin Manifestations of God for this day and age.
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.	V.11 Thou art worthy, O Lord for the honour, and power. God has created mankind to worship Him. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day. This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, p. 19 )