"Erelong shall God raise up, through Thee, those with hands of indomitable strength and arms of invincible might, who will come forth from behind the veils, will render the All-Merciful victorious amongst the peoples of the world, and will raise so mighty a cry as to cause all hearts to tremble with fear. Thus hath it been decreed in a Written Tablet. Such shall be the ascendancy which these souls will evince that consternation and dismay will seize all the dwellers of the earth."
Comments:
• As we attempt to gain an inkling of understanding with respect to these powerful pronouncements made by our Lord in this paragraph, we should remind ourselves that they follow the last two earlier paragraphs dealing with the “Third Letter” of the “Temple” of the Manifestation of God, which Baha’u’llah explains is synonoumous with the Creator’s attribute of “the All-Bountiful”.
• As noted in other paragraphs that we have reviewed, Baha’u’llah, through His grace, makes known to us the many entities associated with the operation of God’s Will on earth, through His Manifestations. As we try to reflect and ponder on His weighty Words – as an example in this paragraph -- let’s take a moment and remind ourselves that we are dealing with concepts so lofty, so powerful and containing that it’s almost impossible for us human beings (who are contained in them) to get a proper understanding of their scope and workings. In our attempts to strive to get some partial understanding, we need to search for any related interpretations, explanations, elucidations by the beloved Master and the Guardian, as well as any additional clarifications and explanations by the Universal House of Justice.
• Realizing our human limitations in understanding the physical realities that are all around as well as within us is very humbling – how much more we need to bow our heads concerning our inability to understand the very lofty and abstract spiritual realities that the Manifestation of God brings to our attention! To cite an example with respect to our physical limitations, let’s explore our ability to “see” light. We know scientifically that the “visible light” is a small portion of light waves. The light waves, themselves are a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum: – that broad range of electro-magnetic radiation wavelengths that travel in straight lines and are characterized by a wave motion. This spectrum contains cosmic rays, gamma rays, x-rays, light waves, radar waves, microwaves and radio and TV waves. The form of electromagnetic radiation that our eyes can detect is called ``visible'' or ``optical''. Visible light, being just one of many types of electro-magnetic radiation, occupies a very small range of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. Just immediately above and below our ‘visible’ range are the Ultraviolet and Infrared light waves that we can’t see with naked eyes. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation or light such as x-rays, gamma rays, cosmic rays – on the higher frequencies – and radar and radio/TV waves on the lower frequencies, are there too but once again our naked eyes can’t see them. So the phrase “I see”, logically and scientifically needs to be qualified and at times we need to remind ourselves that there are many physical entities right near us that we couldn’t see them.
• Let’s now go back to our Paragraph and attempt to see with our “inner” eyes: The metaphor of “those with hands of indomitable strength and arms of invincible might” brings to one’s attention the existence of a lot of power. It makes one wonder who “those” are? What about the word “Erelong” -- before long, soon? It gives one a sense that there is an order in place, a plan. Equally intriguing is the metaphor with respect to “the veils” behind which those souls with “hands of indomitable strength and arms of invincible might” are to be found. What are these “veils”?
• A search of the Writings shows that the metaphor of “veils” is used in a variety of contexts. Below is a sample:
In a more explicit language Bahá'u'lláh testifies to this truth in one of His Tablets revealed in Adrianople: "Know verily that the veil hiding Our countenance hath not been completely lifted. We have revealed Our Self to a degree corresponding to the capacity of the people of Our age. Should the Ancient Beauty be unveiled in the fullness of His glory mortal eyes would be blinded by the dazzling intensity of His revelation." (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 116)
Therefore, O ye beloved of God, be not grieved when people stand against you, persecute you, afflict and trouble you and say all manner of evil against you. The darkness will pass away and the light of the manifest signs will appear, the veil will be withdrawn and the Light of Reality will shine forth from the unseen [Kingdom] of El-ABHA. This we inform you before it occurs, so that when the hosts of people arise against you for my love, be not disturbed or troubled; nay, rather, be firm as a mountain, for this persecution and reviling of the people upon you is a pre-ordained matter. Blessed is the soul who is firm in the path! (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 14)
I ask God to strengthen thee in comprehending the mysteries deposited in the reality of existence, to lift up the veil from before thee and thy sister, so that the concealed mystery and the hidden reality become manifest as the sun at noon, and to confirm thy sister and thy husband in entering the Kingdom of God, and heal thee from all physical and spiritual disease in the world of creation. (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 56)
This is an Epistle from Our presence unto him whom the veils of names have failed to keep back from God, the Creator of earth and heaven, that his eyes may be cheered in the days of his Lord, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 9)
Happy art thou who hast turned thy face towards My countenance, inasmuch as thou hast rent the veils asunder, hast shattered the idols and recognized thine eternal Lord. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 15)
• We also notice in Paragraph 1.41 Baha’u’llah’s reference to “all hearts to tremble with fear” as a result of the “mighty” “cry” raised by those souls “who will come forth from behind the veils ..”. Furthermore, our Lord tells us that the “ascendancy” that “these souls will evince” will be such that “consternation and dismay will seize all the dwellers of the earth.”
• ‘Consternation’ is defined in the dictionary as: ‘great fear or shock that makes one feel helpless or bewildered’. ‘Dismay’, on the other hand, is defined in the dictionary as: ‘to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger; fill with apprehension or alarm; daunt; a loss of courage or confidence at the prospect of trouble or danger; consternation.’ We also need to search the Writings to get a feel for the various contexts in which such metaphors are used. Below is a sample:
O Temple of Holiness! We, verily, have made Thine inmost heart the treasury of all the knowledge of past and future ages, and the dawning-place of Our own knowledge which We have ordained for the dwellers of earth and heaven, that all creation may partake of the outpourings of Thy grace and may attain, through the wonders of Thy knowledge, unto the recognition of God, the Exalted, the Powerful, the Great. In truth, that knowledge which belongeth unto Mine own Essence is such as none hath ever attained or will ever grasp, nor shall any heart be capable of bearing its weight. Were We to disclose but a single word of this knowledge, the hearts of all men would be filled with consternation, the foundations of all things would crumble into ruin, and the feet of even the wisest among men would be made to slip. (Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 34)
It hath been decreed by Us that the Word of God and all the potentialities thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict conformity with such conditions as have been foreordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have, moreover, ordained that its veil of concealment be none other except its own Self. Such indeed is Our Power to achieve Our Purpose. Should the Word be allowed to release suddenly all the energies latent within it, no man could sustain the weight of so mighty a Revelation. Nay, all that is in heaven and on earth would flee in consternation before it. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 76)
Exert thyself, O Shaykh, and arise to serve this Cause. The Sealed Wine is disclosed in this day before the faces of men. Seize it in the name of thy Lord, and quaff thy fill in remembrance of Him Who is the Mighty, the Incomparable. Night and day hath this Wronged One been occupied in that which would unite the hearts, and edify the souls of men. The events that have happened in Persia during the early years have truly saddened the well-favored and sincere ones. Each year witnessed a fresh massacre, pillage, plunder, and shedding of blood. At one time there appeared in Zanjan that which caused the greatest consternation; at another in Nayriz, and at yet another in Tabarsi, and finally there occurred the episode of the Land of Ta (Tihran). (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 88)
Wherever this Wronged One went Mirza Yahya followed Him. Thou art thyself a witness and well knowest that whatever hath been said is the truth. The Siyyid of Isfahan, however, surreptitiously duped him. They committed that which caused the greatest consternation. Would that thou wouldst inquire from the officials of the government concerning the conduct of Mirza Yahya in that land. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 168)
It is clear and evident that all men shall, after their physical death, estimate the worth of their deeds, and realize all that their hands have wrought. I swear by the Day Star that shineth above the horizon of Divine power! They that are the followers of the one true God shall, the moment they depart out of this life, experience such joy and gladness as would be impossible to describe, while they that live in error shall be seized with such fear and trembling, and shall be filled with such consternation, as nothing can exceed. Well is it with him that hath quaffed the choice and incorruptible wine of faith through the gracious favor and the manifold bounties of Him Who is the Lord of all Faiths.... (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 170)
None of the many Prophets sent down, since Moses was made manifest, as Messengers of the Word of God, such as David, Jesus, and others among the more exalted Manifestations who have appeared during the intervening period between the Revelations of Moses and Muhammad, ever altered the law of the Qiblih. These Messengers of the Lord of creation have, one and all, directed their peoples to turn unto the same direction. In the eyes of God, the ideal King, all the places of the earth are one and the same, excepting that place which, in the days of His Manifestations, He doth appoint for a particular purpose. Even as He hath revealed: "The East and West are God's: therefore whichever way ye turn, there is the face of God."[Qur'án 2:115] Notwithstanding the truth of these facts, why should the Qiblih have been changed, thus casting such dismay amongst the people, causing the companions of the Prophet to waver, and throwing so great a confusion into their midst? Yea, such things as throw consternation into the hearts of all men come to pass only that each soul may be tested by the touchstone of God, that the true may be known and distinguished from the false. Thus hath He revealed after the breach amongst the people: "We did not appoint that which Thou wouldst have to be the Qiblih, but that We might know him who followeth the Apostle from him who turneth on his heels."[Qur'án 2:143] "Affrighted asses fleeing from a lion."[Qur'án 74:50] (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 51)
Announce on my behalf longing greeting to Mr. . . . . . . . . and say, "The melody of the Kingdom is that which hath caused the motion of the universe; the musk-diffusing fragrance of the rose-garden of God is that which hath perfumed the nostrils; and the reflection of the Sun of Truth is that which hath illumined the whole earth. Now is the beginning of illumination! Therefore, the people of darkness imagine that they can oppose (this Revelation); yet, ere long they shall find themselves in loss and consternation! They shall observe that the power of the Word of God hath subdued East and West. Be thou not sad and dispirited on account of the opposition of the heedless ones. Soon they shall regret sorely. Reflect thou how the Pharisees persecuted and looked down in contempt upon His Holiness the Christ. The result was that His lamp became ignited, His light began to shine and His followers sparkled like unto the stars from the horizon of existence; and the consequence to the Pharisees was the pangs of remorse and regrets." (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 221)
• Also below is a sample of some references from the Writings to help us appreciate the contexts in which the metaphor pertaining to “hearts to tremble with fear” has been used:
Set before thine eyes God's unerring Balance and, as one standing in His Presence, weigh in that Balance thine actions every day, every moment of thy life. Bring thyself to account ere thou art summoned to a reckoning, on the Day when no man shall have strength to stand for fear of God, the Day when the hearts of the heedless ones shall be made to tremble. (Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 213)
Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! I entreat Thee by Thy Name through which the Hour hath struck, and the Resurrection came to pass, and fear and trembling seized all that are in heaven and all that are on earth, to rain down, out of the heaven of Thy mercy and the clouds of Thy tender compassion, what will gladden the hearts of Thy servants, who have turned towards Thee and helped Thy Cause.
Keep safe Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, O my Lord, from the darts of idle fancy and vain imaginings, and give them from the hands of Thy grace a draught of the soft-flowing waters of Thy knowledge.
Thou, truly, art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous. (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 72)
I render Thee thanks that Thou hast made known unto me such servants as have utterly abolished, by the power of Thy might and of Thy sovereignty, the idols of their corrupt desires, and were not kept back by the things which are possessed by Thy creatures from turning in the direction of Thy grace. These have so vehemently rent the veils asunder that the dwellers of the cities of self have wept, and fear and trembling seized the people of envy and wickedness who, adorning their heads and their bodies with the emblems of knowledge, have proudly rejected Thee and turned away from Thy beauty. (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 77)
The races of the world, Nordic, Slavonic, Mongolian, Arab and African, are alike subjected to its consuming violence. The world's religious systems are no less affected by the universal paralysis which is creeping over the minds and souls of men. The persecution of world Jewry, the rapid deterioration of Christian institutions, the intestine division and disorders of Islam, are but manifestations of the fear and trembling that has seized humanity in its hour of unprecedented turmoil and peril. On the high seas, in the air, on land, in the forefront of battle, in the palaces of kings and the cottages of peasants, in the most hallowed sanctuaries, whether secular or religious, the evidences of God's retributive act and mysterious discipline are manifest. Its heavy toll is steadily mounting -- a holocaust sparing neither prince nor peasant, neither man nor woman, neither young nor old. (Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America, p. 46)
• Lastly, we need to keep in mind that the things Baha’u’llah alludes to in Paragraph 1.41 all have “been decreed in a Written Tablet.”
