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The Book of Revelation
Chapter Five
One Bahá'í's Concept

CONCEPT BOX

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 introduces us to a new concept: Until the return of Christ, which is Bahá'u'lláh, and His Forerunner the Báb, the Book of Revelation was impossible to decipher. The Seals are now opened with Their appearance.

This 'Strong Angel' (5:2) is the 'Mighty Angel' mentioned again in Rev.16:7 and Rev.18:21. This Angel is distinct from the Seven Angels (the Revealers of the Seven Religions). He is a new Angel - The Báb, the bringer of the Eighth Religion. Later in Rev.8:3 and Rev.10:1 and Rev.18:1 there will come still 'Another Angel', the Ninth Angel with Great Power and Glory, Who is Bahá'u'lláh. These, the Prophets of the religion of the New Age are the One's worthy to loose the seals and open the Books of the Teachings for the New Age.

It is central to understanding these scriptures to recognize that the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are the Return of Christ and of the other Manifestations of God (as again in Rev.18:1). The 'Most Conclusive Proof' of this is referred to in Chapter 11.

You could say that this chapter happened in Heaven before the event of the actual appearance of the Twin Manifestations. The One on the 'Throne' is Bahá'u'lláh. The 'Lamb' refers to the Báb.

Bible Verses

[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

One Bahá'í's Concept

V.1 A book (a New Revelation) was held in the right hand of Bahá'u'lláh, which was written within and on the backside, and sealed.

The Books of the Revealers of ALL the Seven Religions (which is the reason for the Seven Seals) promised a return, but until the latter Manifestation came, the nature of the 'Return' would stay sealed from our understanding.

[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

V.2 The Strong Angel is an Eighth Angel in addition to the Seven Angels. This is the Báb and He AND Bahá'u'lláh, the Ninth Angel, will open the Books of God.

The Book of Revelation, itself, could not be opened until 'The Time of the End' and had to be opened by the 'Right Person' - the Manifestation of God.

[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

V.3 The idea that none could open this New Book is emphasized strongly, a qualification which also applies to this Book of Revelation. He says none on the earth nor under the earth could open This Book.
[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

V.4 Again we are told that the Book (the New Revelation) could not then be understood, that none could then read it, nor even look at it. John wept because of this, but the New Revelation along with the way the world would change was simply beyond the comprehension of people at that time.

For the same reasons the Book of Revelation was incomprehensible for people throughout the Christian centuries although many tried to explain its meanings. One would have to see how the world would change as to the nature of nations, the appearance of modern technology, and the Revelation of the further Manifestations, for the Sealed Books to be meaningful.

[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

V.5 Then one of the elders told John not to weep as there is One who was qualified, prevailed to open the Book, and loose the seals. This person was a 'Lion' from the tribe of Juda, the root of David. We refer to Bahá'u'lláh as being a Lion, with His ancestors being the root of David. He is qualified.

    1559. Bahá'u'lláh was a Descendant of Abraham Through Both Katurah and Sarah -- Jesse, Son of Sarah, was the Father of David and the Ancestor of Bahá'u'lláh

    "Regarding your question concerning the Jesse from whom Bahá'u'lláh is descended: The Master says in 'Some Answered Questions' referring to Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10, that these verses apply 'Word for word to Bahá'u'lláh'. He then identifies this Jesse as the father of David in the following words: '.for Joseph was of the descendants of Jesse the father of David.', thus identifying the Jesse of Isaiah, chapter 11, with being the father of David. Bahá'u'lláh is thus the descendant of Jesse, the father of David.

    "The Guardian hopes that this will clarify the matter for you. It is a tremendous and fascinating theme, Bahá'u'lláh's connection with the Faith of Judaism, and one which possesses great interest to Jew and Christian alike."

    (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
    to an individual believer,
    July 11, 1942) (Lights of Guidance,
    p. 473)
Thus it is that David and Bahá'u'lláh are from the same 'root' and that Bahá'u'lláh is therefore from the "root of David".

The Book is the New Revelation from God and the loosing of the Seven Seals, mentioned in the Book of Revelation, is the fulfilling of the 'End Time' prophecies of the Seven Religions.

[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

V.6 John then saw a Lamb that had been 'slain'; this showing the destiny of the Lamb's life. The Lamb (the Báb) appeared in the midst of the Throne of Bahá'u'lláh, the elders, and the four rulers. The life of Christ and the life of the Báb are similar, both are considered Lambs, both were martyred, both sacrificed their lives for mankind. Both were Messengers from God.

The Báb (with innate knowledge) sees everything of the past of the seven Revealers, which refers to the seven eyes. The horns are their religious kingdoms. The title 'Báb' means 'Gate' which was to open the way for a 'New Cycle', a 'New Era', with the announcement of the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, the Promised One of all the religions of the world.

[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

V.7 The Báb took the Opened (unsealed in Verse Five) Book, out of the right hand of the One (Bahá'u'lláh) 'upon the throne'.
    XXIV. Beware, O believers in the Unity of God, lest ye be tempted to make any distinction between any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or to discriminate against the signs that have accompanied and proclaimed their Revelation. This indeed is the true meaning of Divine Unity, if ye be of them that apprehend and believe this truth. Be ye assured, moreover, that the works and acts of each and every one of these Manifestations of God, nay whatever pertaineth unto them, and whatsoever they may manifest in the future, are all ordained by God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Whoso maketh the slightest possible difference between their persons, their words, their messages, their acts and manners, hath indeed disbelieved in God, hath repudiated His signs, and betrayed the Cause of His Messengers.
    (Bahá'u'lláh,
    Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh,
    p. 59)
[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

V.8 When the Báb took the Book, there was great rejoicing, and prayer. The odours represent more than prayers, like an invisible essence of spiritual atmosphere. The emphasis here is that every one of them had harps and golden vials which is symbolic that all the religions had spiritual truths.
    The Reality of the divine Religions is one, because the Reality is one and cannot be two. All the prophets are united in their message, and unshaken. They are like the sun; in different seasons they ascend from different rising points on the horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet gave the glad tidings of the future, and every future has accepted the past.
    ('Abdu'l-Bahá,
    'Abdu'l-Bahá in London,
    p. 29)
    5.99 Set before thine eyes what hath been revealed in the Book of God, the Help in Peril, the All-Glorious: "And when they had forgotten their warnings, We set open to them the gates of all things," even as We did set open to thee and to thy like the gates of this earth and the ornaments thereof. Wait thou, therefore, for what hath been promised in the latter part of this holy verse, for this is a promise from Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Wise -- a promise that will not prove untrue.
    (Bahá'u'lláh,
    The Summons of the Lord of Hosts,
    p. 227
    Suriy-i-Mulúk / Surih of the Kings:99)
[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

V.9 They sang a new song. This is a new Revelation from God, one that has not been heard before. The Báb is worthy to take the Book and also (besides Bahá'u'lláh) opens the Seals. He too, was a descendant of Abraham. The Báb was to sacrifice His life to make way for Bahá'u'lláh: The 'Glory of God' for all peoples, all races and all nationalities. The historical similarity between the life of the Báb and that of Jesus is quite astounding. This Message, the New Song, is for all mankind.
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

V.10 The new revelation shall reign on the earth. Those who will accept this new Message and go out to teach, will be highly regarded by the Concourse on High with a rank similar to that of the kings and priests.

    Arise thou to serve the Cause and say: I swear by the righteousness of God! Verily this is the Primal Point, arrayed in His new attire and manifested in His glorious Name. He at present beholdeth everything from this Horizon. Indeed He is supreme over all things. Amongst the Concourse on High He is known as the Most Great Announcement and in the Realms of Eternity as the Ancient Beauty, and before the Throne by this Name (The Most Great Name) which hath caused the footsteps of them that are endued with understanding to slip.
    (Bahá'u'lláh,
    Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh,
    p. 181)
[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

V.11 John heard the voice of many angels around the throne. The disciples and the Hosts on High are ever ready to assist those who are teaching. The people who will accept the New revelation are numberless, symbolized as ten thousands times ten thousands, and thousands of thousands.
    Say, O followers of the Son! (Jesus) Have ye shut out yourselves from Me by reason of My Name? Wherefore ponder ye not in your hearts? Day and night ye have been calling upon your Lord, the Omnipotent, but when He came from the heaven of eternity in His great glory, ye turned aside from Him and remained sunk in heedlessness. We, in truth, have opened unto you the gates of the Kingdom. Will ye bar the doors of your houses in My face? This indeed is naught but a grievous error. He, verily, hath again come down from heaven, even as He came down from it the first time. Beware lest ye dispute that which He proclaimeth, even as the people before you disputed His utterances. Thus instructeth you the True One, could ye but perceive it.
    (Bahá'u'lláh,
    Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh,
    p.9)

[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

V.12 A loud voice proclaimed the Báb to be worthy to receive power, with eloquence, extraordinary wisdom, spiritual strength and above all, innate knowledge from God. Bahá'u'lláh also had all these qualities, as did all Seven Revealers of all the religions of God. On May 23, 1844 the Báb declared who He was. To open the new cycle, God has introduced a 'Gate' a Manifestation, with the same attributes as all previous Prophets, to be the Forerunner. Eighteen individuals independently found the Báb and became His disciples. Including the Báb they are called Nineteen Letters of the Living. Bahá'u'lláh also became a follower of the Bábí Faith after receiving a letter from Him, telling who He was.
[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

V.13 All the creatures on the earth, under the earth, and all creatures in the sea, can feel this New Revelation and are blessed by it. The most spiritually blind eye should be able to recognize that a Power was released around 1844 that changed the world. Electricity, automobiles, airplanes, satellites, atomic energy, computers and thousands of other things have suddenly come into existence in the history of the world and mankind.

For the centuries between the time of Jesus and His giving of this prophecy - and its Fulfillment - the world remained pretty much the same with horse, foot and sail transportation - but then it all suddenly changed at the Divine Springtime and every creature on the earth, under the earth or in the sea were affected one way or the other by this Two Edged Sword.

Blessing and honour and glory, be upon him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. We are to be very humble and accept God's new Prophets for this new day and age because They alone have the guidance that we need for dealing with the Power that has been released in this New Day.

[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. V.14 The four beasts, said Amen, meaning 'be it so'. The 24 disciples fell down and worshipped Him with great devotion. Bahá'u'lláh will be known forever.

    XXXI. Contemplate with thine inward eye the chain of successive Revelations that hath linked the Manifestation of Adam with that of the Báb. I testify before God that each one of these Manifestations hath been sent down through the operation of the Divine Will and Purpose, that each hath been the bearer of a specific Message, that each hath been entrusted with a divinely-revealed Book and been commissioned to unravel the mysteries of a mighty Tablet. The measure of the Revelation with which every one of them hath been identified had been definitely fore-ordained. This, verily, is a token of Our favour unto them, if ye be of those that comprehend this truth
    (Bahá'u'lláh,
    Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh)
    From the seed of reality religion has grown into a tree which has put forth leaves and branches, blossoms and fruit. After a time this tree has fallen into a condition of decay. The leaves and blossoms have withered and perished; the tree has become stricken and fruitless. It is not reasonable that man should hold to the old tree, claiming that its life forces are undiminished, its fruit unequaled, its existence eternal. The seed of reality must be sown again in human hearts in order that a new tree may grow therefrom and new divine fruits refresh the world. By this means the nations and peoples now divergent in religion will be brought into unity, imitations will be forsaken, and a universal brotherhood in reality itself will be established. Warfare and strife will cease among mankind; all will be reconciled as servants of God. For all are sheltered beneath the tree of His providence and mercy.
    ('Abdu'l-Bahá,
    The Promulgation of Universal Peace,
    p.141)

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