"Say: The Word of God can never be confounded with the words of His creatures. It is, in truth, the King of words, even as He is Himself the sovereign Lord of all, and His Cause transcendeth all that was and all that shall be. Enter, O people, the City of Certitude wherein the throne of your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath been established. Thus biddeth you the Pen of the All-Glorious, as a token of His unfailing grace. Haply ye may not make His Revelation a cause of dissension amongst you."
Comments
1. Baha’u’llah brings our attention to the unique station of the Word of God as the “King of words” on this plane of existence. It’s a very helpful point to keep in mind since nowadays we normally interact with a lot of “text”! This comparison will also help us to better prepare ourselves mentally (not physically) for our interaction with the Word of God. It directs us to have the proper attitude – in a way like the mindset one would have when going for an audience with a King or President of a country. Then, God willing, gradually we become more aware concerning the exalted station of the Word of God and its link with the Manifestation of God -- “the sovereign Lord of all”. This latter process, an aspect of our journey towards spiritual transformation, will in turn make us more receptive to allowing the Word of God to influence our process of growth on this plane of existence.
2. In order to help ourselves to gradually become both mentally and emotionally appreciative of the exalted station of the Word of God, and hence embrace its powerful spiritual influences to a greater degree, let’s reflect a bit on a few references from the Writings:
From Baha’u’llah:
O friend of mine! The Word of God is the king of words and its pervasive influence is incalculable. It hath ever dominated and will continue to dominate the realm of being. The Great Being saith: The Word is the master key for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked. No sooner had but a glimmer of its effulgent splendour shone forth upon the mirror of love than the blessed word 'I am the Best-Beloved' was reflected therein. It is an ocean inexhaustible in riches, comprehending all things. Every thing which can be perceived is but an emanation therefrom. High, immeasurably high is this sublime station, in whose shadow moveth the essence of loftiness and splendour, wrapt in praise and adoration. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
Every thing must needs have an origin and every building a builder. Verily, the Word of God is the Cause which hath preceded the contingent world -- a world which is adorned with the splendours of the Ancient of Days, yet is being renewed and regenerated at all times. Immeasurably exalted is the God of Wisdom Who hath raised this sublime structure. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
… the still greater task of converting satanic strength into heavenly power is one that We have been empowered to accomplish. The Force capable of such a transformation transcendeth the potency of the Elixir itself. The Word of God, alone, can claim the distinction of being endowed with the capacity required for so great and far-reaching a change. (Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh)
From ‘Abdu’l-Baha:
O thou servant of God! Unquestionably, through the manifestation of the Infinite Power in this glorious age, wonderful signs will appear in the world and great changes are seen in the present and promised in the future, for the Word of God is like unto the Spirit, and the contingent world like unto the embryo in the womb of the mother. Through the power of the Spirit such various changes and metamorphoses become apparent, transforming them from one form to another. Especially in Persia, through the power of the Word of God, wonderful signs will appear. (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha vol.3)
Therefore, since the reality or soul of man is a ray of light emanating from the Sun of the Word of God, it is capable of manifesting all the perfections of Being. It is then worthy to be the throne upon which may be established the manifestation of the Names, the Qualities and the Attributes of the Ancient Entity. Inasmuch as this entity is capable of expressing the great virtues of Being, and is the greatest and purest of all existing beings on earth, from its earliest rise in the human temple to its resurrection from the grave of the body, it can be likened to a mirror which reveals the seen and the unseen, which possesses the virtues of the world and of the Kingdom. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha quoted by Lua Getsinger in her talk in San Francisco on December 17, 1911)(To see the transcript of the entire talk please visit Baha’i Talks, Messages and Articles)
3. We also notice that Baha’u’llah has introduced another metaphor in this paragraph, namely the “City of Certitude”, and invites us to “Enter” it – a City in which “the throne of your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath been established.” We wonder what this City could be and how one can “enter” it. Searching the Writings we find our answer in the Kitab-i-Iqan:
When the channel of the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude…. That City is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation. In the days of Moses it was the Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus, the Gospel; in the days of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, the Qur'án; in this day, the Bayan; and in the Dispensation of Him Whom God will make manifest, His own Book -- the Book unto which all the Books of former Dispensations must needs be referred, the Book that standeth amongst them all transcendent and supreme. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
4. So, now we gain further insights into the lofty nature of the Word of God as we see it resembles a “City”, the “City of Certitude”! What an amazing and refreshing concept with so many broad ramifications! Furthermore, we notice that we are actually being invited by Baha’u’llah to “enter” this City! What does that mean? What does it involve?
5. Baha’u’llah tells us that in this “City of Certitude” the “throne” of our “Lord” is established. So, does that mean that when we want to approach the “throne” of Baha’u’llah we need to “enter” the “Word of God” – which is the “City of Certitude”? – this action appears to be different from a mindset of just “reading” the Word of God, doesn’t it? It appears to be like a total immersion in it, as if we “enter” it. The question then becomes: How can we train ourselves to approach the Word of God in that manner?
6. This “bidding” of Baha’u’llah for each one of us to enter this City, He reminds us, is a “token of His unfailing grace” – a favor, a good will, a mercy! He knows everything that we human beings need, and has provided for us in that City. We just need to enter it and explore its various parts. It’s also interesting to note that He leaves the action part completely up to us – we are not being dragged into this City. There must be layers of divine wisdom in this!
7. He also tells us that having “entered” this “City” we would have less inclination to make God’s Revelation “a cause of dissension” among ourselves – implying that perhaps otherwise we might have more inclination to make His Revelation a cause of disagreement and conflict among ourselves. In other words, our genuine unity and agreement depend upon the degree to which we truly and selflessly immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
8. The passage from the Kitab-i-Iqan, cited below in its entirely, further makes us aware of the transformations that a human being needs to go through before being able to find and “enter” this City and all the wonderful spiritual insights that he/she will gain from spending time there. Baha’u’llah further makes us aware that: “Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and re-adorned.” We are so fortunate to have such beautiful and meaningful explanations about these mysteries of life!
From the Kitab-i-Iqan:
When the channel of the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude. Therein he will discern the wonders of His ancient wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings from the rustling leaves of the Tree -- which flourisheth in that City. With both his inner and his outer ear he will hear from its dust the hymns of glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye will he discover the mysteries of "return" and "revival." How unspeakably glorious are the signs, the tokens, the revelations, and splendours which He Who is the King of names and attributes hath destined for that City! The attainment of this City quencheth thirst without water, and kindleth the love of God without fire. Within every blade of grass are enshrined the mysteries of an inscrutable wisdom, and upon every rose-bush a myriad nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody. Its wondrous tulips unfold the mystery of the undying Fire in the Burning Bush, and its sweet savours of holiness breathe the perfume of the Messianic Spirit. It bestoweth wealth without gold, and conferreth immortality without death. In every leaf ineffable delights are treasured, and within every chamber unnumbered mysteries lie hidden.
They that valiantly labour in quest of God's will, when once they have renounced all else but Him, will be so attached and wedded to that City that a moment's separation from it would to them be unthinkable. They will hearken unto infallible proofs from the Hyacinth of that assembly, and receive the surest testimonies from the beauty of its Rose and the melody of its Nightingale. Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and re-adorned.
Wherefore, O my friend, it behooveth Us to exert the highest endeavour to attain unto that City, and, by the grace of God and His loving-kindness, rend asunder the "veils of glory"; so that, with inflexible steadfastness, we may sacrifice our drooping souls in the path of the New Beloved. We should with tearful eyes, fervently and repeatedly, implore Him to grant us the favour of that grace. That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation. In the days of Moses it was the Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus the Gospel; in the days of Muhammad the Messenger of God the Qur'án; in this day the Bayan; and in the dispensation of Him Whom God will make manifest His own Book -- the Book unto which all the Books of former Dispensations must needs be referred, the Book which standeth amongst them all transcendent and supreme. In these cities spiritual sustenance is bountifully provided, and incorruptible delights have been ordained. The food they bestow is the bread of heaven, and the Spirit they impart is God's imperishable blessing. Upon detached souls they bestow the gift of Unity, enrich the destitute, and offer the cup of knowledge unto them who wander in the wilderness of ignorance. All the guidance, the blessings, the learning, the understanding, the faith, and certitude, conferred upon all that is in heaven and on earth, are hidden and treasured within these Cities. (Baha'u'llah, ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
