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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.
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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.
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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.
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[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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
"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.
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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.
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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'.
(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.
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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.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, p. 29)
(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;
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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.
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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.
(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;
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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.
(Bahá'u'lláh,
Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.9)
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[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.
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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.
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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.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh)
('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.141) |
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