Apocalypse Unsealed: appendix G
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Appendix G
Some Baha'i Apocalyptic Writings
_General_
G#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Baha'i Scriptures_, Section 92.
Explains that there are many meanings to each
word of the Apocalypse.
G#2; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
285-6.
Advises us to peruse Saint John's Revelation
since many signs spoken of in that vision will
soon be revealed.
G#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 294.
Cites an individual believer's knowledge of the
significances of the Revelation of Saint John.
G#4; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
678-81.
Analyzes the vision of an individual believer in
which many apocalyptic symbols appear, including
birds, the Heavenly Table, manna, white garments,
the Throne, the Bride, the Lamb's Book of Life,
the white horse.
G#5; _Star of the West_, vol. 8, p. 180.
This Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha contains the meanings
of many apocalyptic symbols, including the
Throne, clouds, the invisible zodiac, the new
song, birds.
G#6; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp., 57-8.
Explains the "Prophetic Cycle" and the "Cycle of
Fulfillment," the relationship of the Bab and the
Covenant, the "Second Woe," the two "Witnesses,"
the "Man Child," and several apocalyptic symbols.
G#7; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp. 93-100.
Lists some of the Titles of Baha'u'llah, His
ancestry, and references made to Him by other
Manifestations and prophets. He explains that
John referred to Baha'u'llah as the "Alpha and
Omega" and the "third
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woe." The Law of Baha'u'llah was described by
John a "a new heaven and a new earth." the
Tabernacle of God, the "Holy City" and the "New
Jerusalem." Shoghi Effendi quotes 'Abdu'l-Baha
Who compares the Revelations of the Bab and
Baha'u'llah in zodiacal imagery.
G#8; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp. 48-9,
238-40.
Describes the role of 'Abdu'l-Baha as the Center
of the Covenant, and explains that John referred
to 'Abdu'l-Baha as the "Ark of God's Testament."
The reference describes episodes surrounding the
violation of the Covenant by Mirza Yahya and
Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, and explains the
"lightnings," "thunders" and "earthquake"
attending the violation of the Covenant.
G#9; _Star of the West_, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 3-4.
Mirza Asadu'llah asserts the belief that the
prophecies of the Holy scriptures have become
(largely) fulfilled by the events of the
mid-nineteenth century.
G#10; Mirza Asasu'llah-i-Nur, _Sacred Mysteries_, pp.
112-9.
Explains gematria, the numerological significance
of the number Nine, and several other
numerological mysteries.
G#11; _Baha'i Scriptures_, Section 804.
'Abdu'l-Baha explains the significance of the
number Nine and several other numerological
mysteries.
_Specific_
1:4#1; _Baha'i News_, No. 77, Sept. 1933.
Shoghi Effendi refers to certain statements of
Mirza Abu'l-Fadl about the Seven Religions of the
past, explains that only the words of
'Abdu'l-Baha are truly authoritative, but that if
His statements cannot be discovered, we are free
to tenatively accept the opinions of scholars.
1:4#2; 16, 20. "You have asked about the meaning of the
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'seven churches' mentioned in the Book of
Revelation. In a Tablet 'Abdu'l-Baha has
explained that the seven spirits and the seven
stars mentioned in the Apocalypse refer to the
seven letters of the alphabet which constitute
the Most Great Name (in Arabic and Persian the
names of 'Baha'u'llah' as well as 'Husayn-ali'
consist of seven letters each). In the same
Tablet He points out that the seven churches
refer to the 'holy souls who were ignited with
the fire of the love of their Lord.'" (From a
letter of bahalf of the Universal House of
Justice dated Aug. 7, 1978, to an individual
believer.)
1:4#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Some Answered Questions_, p. 179.
Explains the meaning of "was, is, and shall be."
1:7; Baha'u'llah, _The Book of Certitude_, pp. 71-2,
216-7.
Explains the symbolism of "clouds."
1:8#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Paris Talks_, p. 51.
Explains that one meaning of the "Alpha and
Omega, the First and the Last" is Jesus Christ.
1:8#2; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, p. 95.
Explains that Baha'u'llah is the "Alpha and
Omega" of the Apocalypse.
1:8#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Some Answered Questions_, p. 254.
Elaborates on the meaning of the "Alpha and
Omega" in reference to Jesus Christ.
1:8#4; Baha'u'llah, _Tablet to the Jews_.
Explains the meaning of the "Alpha and
Omega" as the Word of God.
1:8#5; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 13.
Gives a meaning of the "Alpha and Omega" as the
Lord God Omnipotent.
2:17#1: Baha'u'llah, _Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha'u'llah_, p. 195.
Explains that the "Bread which cometh down from
Heaven" is Divine Revelation.
2:17#2; _Star of the West_, Vol 11, p. 275.
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'Abdu'l-Baha expounds on the "manna which came
down from heaven."
2:17#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 677.
Expounds on the "Heavenly Table" and the "Bread."
4:4#1; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp. 7-8.
Places the Eighteen Letters of the Living among
the Twenty-Four Elders of the Apocalypse.
4:4#2; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Some Answered Questions_, pp.
86-7.
Describes the Succession of Prophets in zodiacal
imagery.
4:4#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 39.
Mentions the invisible zodiac.
5:6; Mirza Asadu'llah-i-Nur, _Sacred Mysteries_, pp.
52-71.
Explains the removal of the daily _physical)
sacrifice of the killing of lambs and cattle
under the Dispensation of Muhammad and its
replacement by a spiritual sacrifice. The
reference gives 1260 AH as the end of Muhammad's
Dispensation, and explains the number Five as
applied to the Bab. The sacrifice becomes
increasingly spiritual under the Dispensation of
Baha'u'llah, requiring the "chanting of the
Verses of God and being firm in the Covenant of
God."
6:12-13; Baha'u'llah, _The Book of Certitude_, pp. 33-4,
36-41.
Explains the symbolism of "sun, moon, and stars."
9:12; Shoghi Effendi, _Messages to America_, pp.
99-100.
Discusses the "Year Nine" and gives it as the
date of the "Third Woe."
11#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Some Answered Questions_, pp.
53-71.
The complete explanation of chapter 11 of the
Apocalypse.
11;11-14; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp. 49-50.
Discusses Quddus and his role as one of the two
"Witnesses."
11:13#1; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, pp. 53-54.
Describes the Shiraz earthquake of 1268 AH.
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11:13#2; Mirza Asadu'llah-i-Nur, _Sacred Mysteries_, pp.
16-7.
Explains the "Hour" as (1) the person of the
Manifestation, (2) the "time of the end," (3) the
time when the Manifestation declares His Mission,
and (4) the time between the Declaration of the
Bab and the Declaration of Baha'u'llah.
12#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Some Answered Questions_, pp.
77-82.
Explains the new Jerusalem, the "new heaven and
the new earth," and verses one to six of Chapter
12 of the Apocalypse.
13:8; _Star of the West_, vol. 3, No. 14.
Louis Gregory and Mirza Abu'l-Fadl in _A Heavenly
Vista_ explain that the "Lamb" of the "Book of
Life" is 'Abdu'l-Baha.
13:18#1; "Regarding the Apocalypse of St. John, the beast
the numerical value of whose name is 666: the
intent is the year, inasmuch as that beast who is
the Umayyad king, appeared in the year 666 of the
Christian era. This prophecy relates to the Holy
Land."--'Abdu'l-Baha, a Tablet to an individual
believer.
13:18#2; "As to the beast referred to in the Apocalypse,
he was a soul who sought with his utmost power to
destroy the Cause of God. He was the King of
Persia, that is one of the early
kings."--'Abdu'l-Baha, a Tablet to an individual
believer.
16:16#1; _Star of the West_, Vol. 10, No. 3.
'Abdu'l-Baha prophesies the beginning of
"Armageddon" in 1914 AD.
16:16#2; H. M. Balyuzi, _'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 259
Another war, World War II, is prophesied by
'Abdu'l-Baha.
16:16#3; H. M. Balyuzi, _'Abdu'l-Baha_, p. 259.
'Abdu'l-Baha expresses His disappointment with
the Treaty of Versailles.
16:16#4; H. M. Balyuzi, _'Abdu'l-Baha_, p.438.
'Abdu'l-Baha expresses His disappointment with
the
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League of Nations and explains that the Supreme
Tribunal described by Baha'u'llah will bring
Universal Peace.
16:16#4; Shochi Effendi, _The World Order of Baha'u'llah_,
pp. 4-7.
Quotes dire prophecies by Baha'u'llah and
'Abdu'l-Baha of future catastrophes.
19:16; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, p. 206.
Quotes Baha'u'llah as declaring Himself to be
"the King of Kings."
20:3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
659-60.
Explains the millenium as the beginning of this
Manifestation until the end of its predominence
throughout the contingent world.
20:4#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
396-7.
Uses several terms such as "Resurrection," "Day
of Judgement," "sun," "stars," "balance," "fire,"
"paradise."
20:4#2; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
429-30.
Explains that the "Promised Christ" of the
"Second Coming" is Baha'u'llah and the Bab.
20:4#3; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp
.643-4.
Explains the "Return" as the return of qualities,
virtues, perfections, etc., not the literal
return of persons and souls.
20:7; _Baha'i News_, No. 89, Jan, 1935, p. 1.
Shoghi Effendi explains that a Manifestation is
to follow Baha'u'llah after a thousand years or
more Who will be subjected to persecutions but
will ultimately triumph.
21:1-2#1; _Star of the West_, Vol. 18, p. 197.
'Abdu'l-Baha explains that the new Jerusalem is
divine civilization.
21:1-2#2; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
538-40.
Describes the new Jerusalem and explains that
"Emmanuel" was the forerunner of the "Second
Coming of Christ."
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21:1-2#3; _Baha'i News_, No. 134, Mar. 1940, p. 2.
Shoghi Effendi explains that "His Holiness
Emmanuel" in the above Tablet refers to the Bab.
21:1-2#4; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Promulgation of Universal Peace_,
pp. 17-8.
'Abdu'l-Baha mentions the "divine Jerusalem" and
the "bride of Zion."
21:1-2#5; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Promulgation of Universal Peace,
pp. 97-8.
The new Jerusalem is the divine civilization.
21:1-2#6; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Promulgation of Universal Peace,
pp. 35-6.
Likens a new Dispensation to the Vernal equinox.
21:1-2#7; Mirza Asadu'llah-i-Nur, _Sacred Mysteries_, pp.
37-40.
"... the Words are sealed until the time of the
end." The new Jerusalem has both a literal and
an allegorical interpretation.
21:1-2#8; Baha'u'llah, _Epistle to the Son of the Wolf_,
pp. 144-5.
Gives the literal meaning of the new Jerusalem as
the renewed vigor of Zion, Palestine, 'Akka and
Jerusalem.
21:1-2#9; Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, p. 213.
Explains that the new Law is the "new heaven" and
the "new earth," the Tabernacle of God, the Holy
City, the "Bride," and the "New Jerusalem."
21:1-2#10; Shoghi Effendi, _The World Order of Baha'u'llah_,
pp. 204-6.
Alludes to the new Jerusalem and the "coming of
age of the human race."
21:1-2#11; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Paris Talks_, p. 84.
The new Jerusalem is "not built of material
stones and mortar."
21:1-7; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Baha'i World Faith_, pp. 350-1,
and _Selections from the Wrotings of
'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp. 12-3.
The new Jerusalem is the Bride.
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21:2#1; Shoghi Effendi, _The Advent of Divine Justice_,
pp. 64-7.
Describes the Day of Baha'u'llah.
21:2#2; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Baha'i World Faith_, pp. 380-1.
The new Jerusalem is the heavenly religion.
21:10-17; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
92-4, and _Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp. 164-7.
Describes the twelve doors of the Heavenly
Jerusalem, the "golden rod," "angels," etc.
21:15#1; 'Abdu'l-Baha explains that the new Jerusalem is a
pyramid because it is a natural, enduring shape,
etc.. The Two Reapers are the Bab and
Baha'u'llah. In one sense, 666 refers to
Napoleon. Baha'u'llah is the Prince of
Peace--(From a pilgrim's note. The answers were
purportedly given by 'Abdu'l-Baha in response to
questions by Mr. E. T. Hall of Manchester,
England on February 28, 1920 and translated by
Dr. Lotfu'llah Hakim of April 3, 1920.
21:19-20#1; THE NEW JERUSALEM AND ITS TWELVE FOUNDATION
STONES
The first Baha'i Principle, THE ONENESS OF THE
WORLD OF HUMANITY. Hands may be black, white,
brown or yellow, but the hue of the heart is one.
The first foundation stone is jasper. It is a
clear red like the hue of the heart.
The second Baha'i principle, THE INDEPENDANT
INVESTIGATION OF TRUTH. The second foundation
stone, the sapphire, is a clear blue, 'true
blue,' and is the color of faith, inspiration,
loyalty and truth. Man must be free to soar in
this 'dome of heaven's blue' and loyal to a truth
when he finds it.
The third Baha'i Principle, THE FOUNDATION OF ALL
RELIGIONS IS ONE. The third foundation stone,
the chalcedony, is pure white. 'While white
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is apparent, yet in it are hidden and concealed
the seven colors.' White is the symbol of
purity, and in its origin each religion is pure
and a brother to every other religion, for all
truth is one.
The fourth Baha'i Principle, RELIGION MUST BE THE
SOURCE OF UNITY. The fourth foundation stone,
the emerald, is green. Green is the color of
harmony and unity. There is no color known with
which green will not harmonize, just as the green
foliage blends with every hued flower. Green is
the color of immortality and humility.
The fifth Baha'i Principle, SCIENCE AND RELIGION
MUST AGREE; NEITHER MUST DENY THE OTHER. [Out of
order: see note on p. 305.] The fifth
foundation stone, the sardonyx (see footnote
[Chapter 21 note 13, p. 250]) is red or brown
according to the way it is held. And so it is
with science and religion; they are essentially
one, but different in color or manifestation.
The virtues of man are many, but science is the
most noble of them all. ... It is the bestowal
of God; it is not material; it is Divine.
Science is an effulgence ... the power of
investigating the means by which man finds a
pathway to God.
The sixth Baha'i Principle, THE EQUALITY OF MEN
AND WOMEN; THEY MUST BE AS TWO WINGS OF THE SOUL,
EACH EQUALLY DEVELOPED. [Out of order: see note
on p. 305.] The sixth foundation stone, the
sardius (see footnote [Chapter 21 note 12, pp.
249-50]) is a stone of two layers, one white and
one red, symbolic of the two in one.
The seventh Baha'i Principle, REMOVAL OF ALL
PREJUDICE, RELIGIOUS, RACIAL, ETC.. The seventh
foundation stone, the pure chrysolite, is an
exquisitely clear green. We read in the ancient
philosophies of the Chrysolite Tablet. It is a
symbol of absolute sincerity and truthfulness, of
purity, of selflessness. Only when our hearts
are free and pure
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from every form of prejudice and superstition can
they become the Chrysolite Tablet whereon may be
engraved our thoughts of our fellow man.
The eighth Baha'i Principle, UNIVERSAL PEACE.
The eighth foundation stone, the beryl, is a
bluish green, the blue of faith and loyalty to
our brother man, and the green of humility and
unity. These are harmoniously blended into one
symmetrical whole, like a beautiful bouquet of
flowers. These established in the hearts of men
will establish UNIVERSAL PEACE.
The ninth Baha'i Principle, UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
The ninth foundation stone, the topaz, resembles
the [golden yellow] glory of the sun. It is
symbolic of the light of knowledge and the glory
of wisdom that will result when UNIVERSAL
EDUCATION is established in the world, and when
the light of the teachings of Baha'u'llah are
understood and lived.
The tenth Baha'i Principle, SOLUTION OF THE
ECONOMIC PROBLEM. The tenth foundation stone,
the chrysoprasus, is, like a chrysolite, a clear
green which embodies truthfulness, justice,
sincerity and purity. These are the requisites
necesary for the SOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC
PROBLEM. The stone represents the golden rule
put into practice, 'Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.'
"The eleventh Baha'u'llah Principle, A UNIVERSAL
AUXILIARY LANGUAGE. The eleventh foundation
stone, the jacinth, is, like jasper, a clear red,
the universal color and the hue of the heart.
The heart of a race can understand the heart of
another only when it can speak the same language.
The twelfth Baha'i Principle, A WORLD TRIBUNAL OR
PARLIAMENT OF MAN. The twelfth
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foundation stone, the amethyst, is violet. It
symbolizes spiritual light, reverence, healing,
serenity and poise. The Tribunal of All Nations
must be as the untraviolet rays of the sun for
the 'healing of the nations.' It must seek
spiritual light in all reverence, that it may
fulfill its high calling, imparting a sense of
security, poise and serenity to the hearts of all
humanity.
[NOTE:] (The above explanation of the twelve foundation
stones was purportedly given to Shanaz Waite by
'Abdu'l-Baha. It should be considered a
"pilgrim's note" and therefore, not an authentic
Writing. This version of the pilgrim's note was
obtained from Flora Brooks, a Baha'i of Staunton,
Virginia, who obtained it from Ruth Moffett. It
is not clear from the text of the note which
words are direct quotes from 'Abdu'l-Baha and
which are interpretations of interpolations by
Shanaz Waite or later transcribers.
(The writer of the present book has taken certain
minor liberties with the text to make it more
readable, and also has reversed the order of the
fifth and sixth Principles in the main text of
Chapter 21. It is clear that the characteristics
of the sardonyx and sardius have somehow gotten
interchanged in the above version.)
21:19-20#2; _Star of the West_, Vol 10, March 20, 1920, pp.
358-9.
Lists of the Twelve Basic Baha'i Principles as
they appear in the Apocalypse.
21:22-33; 'Abdu'l-Baha, _Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, pp.
10-11.
Explains that the Baha'i spiritual meetings are
inspired by God.
21:23; _Baha'i Scriptures_, Section 47, p. 117.
Baha'u'llah explains that He is the Glory of God
in Revelations 21:23.
22:3; _Star of the West_, Nov. 22, 1902.
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In the arcitle _In Praise of the Greatest
Branch_, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl identifies
'Abdu'l-Baha, the Center of the Covenant, as
illuminating the new Jerusalem, and says that the
Book of Life in under the dominion of
'Abdu'l-Baha.