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Christ Has returned, what should have we looked for?

Are you awaiting Christ's return?

  • Yes

    Votes: 10 17.2%
  • No

    Votes: 34 58.6%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 1 1.7%
  • I'm Fence sitting

    Votes: 2 3.4%
  • Just a popcorn question

    Votes: 2 3.4%
  • Definitly never

    Votes: 8 13.8%
  • He has Come

    Votes: 10 17.2%

  • Total voters
    58

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
Like Brad Pitt is the Clark Gable of the 90s then there must be "the Elijah of the Muslim era", right? Hey, you'll never know you could be the next J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series author.
More than a thousand years, and now we are going to look for Muhammad's "Elijah"? Does it really matter who they come up with? How would we know the difference? After all, they needed two people to use as the "two witnesses", so what do they do? They use Muhammad as one, who was already named as the first of the three "Woes", and who isn't really a witness, but is Christ returned, supposedly... and then for the second witness, one of his disciples? Someone named Ali? I took an introductory course on Islam and I don't remember Ali at all. So how important was Ali?

My favorite Baha'i use of Islam is how they make all the leaders, starting with the Umayyads, evil and part of the prophesied beasts and dragons of Revelation. The craziest being how they make the beast with the fatal wound a Umayyad leader that escaped to Andalusia and set up his rule there. It doesn't come close to fitting into the things in Revelation that are predicted for this beast power to have done. Plus, in Revelation, all these beasts and dragons are leading up to the return of Christ. The Baha'is have them coming right after Muhammad, the supposed very next return of Christ, and more than 1000 years before the dual return of Christ in the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

So what are you as a Christian looking for and expecting in Christ's return? I suspect it is Jesus himself. And some obvious and verifiable fulfilling of the prophesies in Revelation. I have given them high marks on two, the 1260 years and the "new" name, that's it. All the rest are very problematic.
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Unfortunately, many people leave the Baha'i Faith or don't participate... at all, but don't bother to drop their membership. For me that's troubling, because it indicates that the initial contact with the Baha'i Faith was positive and convincing... that they had found the truth of God for today. But then they leave?
The reasons they leave has nothing to do with whether the Baha'i Faith is true or not...
It is either the truth from God for today or it is not... what people believe has nothing to do with it because people are prone to error and selfishness.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
But you started this thread and what are the things we should be looking for in the return of Christ? The things prophesied... like in Revelation. Only a couple of chapters are interpreted by Abdu'l Baha. And some Baha'is have published books on Revelation, but since it isn't from Abdu'l Baha, why is their opinion all that meaningful? They aren't "infallible", so why would their interpretation count as anything that can be trusted? Heck, I'm having problems believing Abdu'l Baha's interpretations. Oh, I checked online on a couple of books by Baha'is, and they weren't all that cheap. So I'm counting on you and the others to throw me a few pertinent quotes from those books once in a while.

CG, the most important quotes from Christ is how to accept a True Prophet, while being aware that many false prophets will arise.

By their fruits you will know them.

I have offered this path to you. The best proof of Baha'u'llah is first His own person, then His Life and then if we need more we have been given the Word. It is after this that the proofs they have fulfilled past prophecy will have meaning.

I guess that is the way I should have structrued the post, by getting to know the Person and the life, prior to the Message given.

"Instead of pursuing a life of power and leisure, Bahá’u’lláh chose to devote His energies to a range of philanthropies which had, by the early 1840s, earned Him renown as "father of the poor."

Baha'u'llah was married before He received the Message;

"Ásíyih Khánum (Persian: آسیه خانم‎‎ 1820 – 1886) was the wife of Bahá'u'lláh. Ásíyih Khánum was the Mother of Consolation and both were much loved for their extraordinary generosity and regard for the impoverished."

I have suggested to you that first we must get to know the person, do they deserve our trust and respect?

Good trees bear good fruits.

Regards Tony
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
To spark some more interest, here are some more Biblical Prophecies Fulfilled;

Baha’u’llah Exile from Iran to Iraq

Fulfilling Biblical Prophesy Micah 7:12

"In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain".

He shall come from Assyria.

At that time Assyria was a large area. Bahá'u'lláh and His family lived in the part that was Persia, now Iran, in the city of Tihrán.

Baha’u’llah writes……

O King! We were in Iraq, when the hour of parting arrived. At the bidding of the King of Islam (Sultan of Turkey) We set Our steps in his direction. Upon Our arrival, there befell Us at the hands of the malicious that which the books of the world can never adequately recount.

Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 51


and from the fortified cities


Bahá'u'lláh was banished from city to city: After being released from the Síyáh-Chál dungeon in Tihrán in 1852 (Where Baha’u’llah received His mission when he Beheld a Maiden – the embodiment of the remembrance of the Name of My Lord suspended in the air before him) He, His family and companions had only a short time before being sent to the fortified city of Baghdád. While living in Baghdád, He gained such a large following that the enemies where shocked. Right away He was banished again, this time to the fortified city of Istanbul (Constantinople at the time). Again He amazed people with His insight and profound knowledge.

The Governor of the city refused many times to fulfill the orders that he received to banish Him again. Finally forced to follow orders, Bahá'u'lláh again was banished to the fortified city of Adrianople (now Edirne in Turkey). Each time the walk was in winter and in mountainous areas in the utmost hardship.

The authorities urged the people to humiliate Bahá'u'lláh on the way, but the opposite occurred. He was honoured and praised, and shown respect everywhere, until He was finally sent to the most horrific of all places, the fortress of 'Akká, where it was expected that He would succumb to the terrible conditions. The honour and welcome that He had received in other cities did not appear. For a period of two years He went through hard times, but finally was released to better living conditions, and given great honour, however still a prisoner.


and from the fortress even to the river,


It was while in Baghdád that the Tigris river became a special place, as Bahá'u'lláh crossed it to the Ridván Garden. This day was the fulfilment of prophecy, as that was when Bahá'u'lláh declared to those around Him, His Station as the Manifestation of God. The irresistible Force of God carried Bahá'u'lláh to infinite wonders that day, as all the prophecies of all the religions were realized. It was April 21, 1863.

and from sea to sea,

After His banishment in Baghdád, His exile was by way of the Black Sea. Still a prisoner He crossed the Black Sea from Sinope on His way to Constantinople (Istanbul). After the banishment in Adrianople (Edirne), He crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Gallipolis in Turkey, embarking at Alexandria, Egypt, then on to the fortress of 'Akká, the most desolate of cities, (In Israel).

and from mountain to mountain,

The time in Baghdád was turbulent with opposition. Bahá'u'lláh to protect His family and companions went to the Kurdistan mountains. There He lived in poverty, but the area was magnetized by His presence. The news of this wonderful figure captured the countryside. After two years, He was persuaded to return to Baghdád.

The other mountain was in Israel, Mount Carmel, where He had docked before His final journey to 'Akká. Later He had a chance to return to Mount Carmel, to pitch His tent. Here He wrote the 'Tablet Of Carmel', surrounded by pilgrims looking for the return of Christ to descend from heaven. Now it is the headquarters of the Bahá'í Faith.

Abdu’l-Bahá writes……

Prosperity, contentment, and freedom, however much desired and conducive to the gladness of the human heart, can in no wise compare with the trials of homelessness and adversity in the pathway of God; for such exile and banishment are blessed by the divine favour, and are surely followed by the mercy of Providence.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 280

Regards Tony

So what are you as a Christian looking for and expecting in Christ's return? I suspect it is Jesus himself. And some obvious and verifiable fulfilling of the prophesies in Revelation. I have given them high marks on two, the 1260 years and the "new" name, that's it. All the rest are very problematic.

We have not scratched the surface of Prophecy. Some will be more obvious than others. I did post this above and I ask you of all those that made a claim, how many could fulfill Micah 7:12 "In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain". Persia was part of Assyria and to the East of the Holy Land. Baha'u'llah was Persecuted and Banished to fulfill this Prophecy, this prophecy is as clearly fulfilled by Baha'u'llah as the sun at noonday. In turn it allows us to then see fulfillment in other prophecy such as;

Ezekiel 43:2 "and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. "Glory of God", "Baha'u'llah" came from the East, The lands has become radiant with His Glory.

Ezekiel 43:4 "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.". Baha'u'llah the "Glory of the Lord" came to the Holy land via the Bab "Gate" from the East.

Again who else has done this that has made the claim Baha'u'llah has and it was not by His own hand that Baha'u'llah ended up at Akka?

What about Akka in Tradition, the Bible mentions it a few times, but Islamic tradition mentions it many times.

This link will show the great Prophecies of ISAIAH and MICAH - isaiah

This will show prophecies about Akka from Islam, and many others - Islamic prophecies

Regards Tony


 
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Trailblazer

Veteran Member
how many could fulfill Micah 7:12 "In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain".
Nobody but Baha'u'llah. :D BTW, thanks for posting that... I already pressed that prophecy into service on another forum and I am keeping it in my back pocket. :)

It is just so obvious that Baha'u'llah was the return of Christ/Messiah prophesied in the Bible, to anyone who bothers to look at all the prophecies. :rolleyes:

Then we have all the other evidence, who Baha'u'llah was as a Person, what He did on His mission, what He predicted that has come to pass, the religion He left in His wake.

Missing Baha'u'llah is akin to missing the broad side of a barn. :oops:
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Then we have all the other evidence, who Baha'u'llah was as a Person, what He did on His mission, what He predicted that has come to pass, the religion He left in His wake.

Missing Baha'u'llah is akin to missing the broad side of a barn. :oops:

Another thing Baha'u'llah has said that stands out in this Dispensation is the amount of Divines that accept the Faith of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. In the past the first believers are usually ordinary people and it is the Divines that offer the rejection.

In this Dispensation many divines have accepted the Faith, while many still did persecute. Baha'u'llah has said in the Kitab-i-iqan that the first believer in the Bab, Mulla Husayn, played a pivotal roll in the unfolding of this Dispensation;

"...Amongst the proofs demonstrating the truth of this Revelation is this, that in every age and Dispensation, whenever the invisible Essence was revealed in the person of His Manifestation, certain souls, obscure and detached from all worldly entanglements, would seek illumination from the Sun of Prophethood and Moon of divine guidance, and would attain unto the divine Presence. For this reason, the divines of the age and those possessed of wealth, would scorn and scoff at these people. Even as He hath revealed concerning them that erred: “Then said the chiefs of His people who believed not, ‘We see in Thee but a man like ourselves; and we see not any who have followed Thee except our meanest ones of hasty judgment, nor see we any excellence in you above ourselves: nay, we deem you liars.’” (Qur’án 11:27) They caviled at those holy Manifestations, and protested saying: “None hath followed you except the abject amongst us, those who are worthy of no attention.” Their aim was to show that no one amongst the learned, the wealthy, and the renowned believed in them. By this and similar proofs they sought to demonstrate the falsity of Him that speaketh naught but the truth.

In this most resplendent Dispensation, however, this most mighty Sovereignty, a number of illumined divines, of men of consummate learning, of doctors of mature wisdom, have attained unto His Court, drunk the cup of His divine Presence, and been invested with the honour of His most excellent favour. They have renounced, for the sake of the Beloved, the world and all that is therein. We will mention the names of some of them, that perchance it may strengthen the faint-hearted, and encourage the timorous.

Among them was Mullá Ḥusayn, who became the recipient of the effulgent glory of the Sun of divine Revelation. But for him, God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy, nor ascended the throne of eternal glory. Among them also was Siyyid Yaḥyá, that unique and peerless figure of his age,

Mullá Muḥammad ‘Alíy-i-Zanjání
Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí
Mullá Sa’íd-i-Barfurúshí
Mullá Ni’matu’lláh-i-Mázindarání
Mullá Yúsúf-i-Ardibílí
Mullá Mihdíy-i-Khú’í
Siyyid Ḥusayn-i-Turshízí
Mullá Mihdíy-i-Kandí
Mullá Báqir
Mullá ‘Abdu’l-Kháliq-i-Yazdí
Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Baraqání

and others, well nigh four hundred in number, whose names are all inscribed upon the “Guarded Tablet” of God"


That so many Muslim Divines recognized this 'Day of God' and all gave their lives to this plant this cause in the hearts of humanity, is a proof that no other faith can produce to date.

Yet still people will not look beyond fundamental doctrine.

Regards Tony
 

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
The reasons they leave has nothing to do with whether the Baha'i Faith is true or not...
It is either the truth from God for today or it is not... what people believe has nothing to do with it because people are prone to error and selfishness.
People that are searching for spiritual truth and find something they believe is true and then leave is a definite red flag. Why did they think it was true? And now, why don't they believe it and follow it?
 

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
CG, the most important quotes from Christ is how to accept a True Prophet, while being aware that many false prophets will arise.

By their fruits you will know them.

I have offered this path to you. The best proof of Baha'u'llah is first His own person, then His Life and then if we need more we have been given the Word. It is after this that the proofs they have fulfilled past prophecy will have meaning.

I guess that is the way I should have structrued the post, by getting to know the Person and the life, prior to the Message given.

"Instead of pursuing a life of power and leisure, Bahá’u’lláh chose to devote His energies to a range of philanthropies which had, by the early 1840s, earned Him renown as "father of the poor."

Baha'u'llah was married before He received the Message;

"Ásíyih Khánum (Persian: آسیه خانم‎‎ 1820 – 1886) was the wife of Bahá'u'lláh. Ásíyih Khánum was the Mother of Consolation and both were much loved for their extraordinary generosity and regard for the impoverished."

I have suggested to you that first we must get to know the person, do they deserve our trust and respect?

Good trees bear good fruits.

Regards Tony
Hmmm? Let's take a look at the largest Christian denomination, the Roman Catholic Church. Do they bear good fruit? Do they teach the truth about God? How about a new Christian group that arose during roughly the same time as the Baha'i Faith, the Mormon Church. I'm not sure, but I think they have more members than Baha'is. Do they bear good fruit? Do they teach the truth about God?
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Trailblazer said: The reasons they leave has nothing to do with whether the Baha'i Faith is true or not...
It is either the truth from God for today or it is not... what people believe has nothing to do with it because people are prone to error and selfishness.

People that are searching for spiritual truth and find something they believe is true and then leave is a definite red flag. Why did they think it was true? And now, why don't they believe it and follow it?
Why they thought it was true and why they left has NOTHING to do with whether it was true or not. This is related to them and them alone, why they joined and why they left. If that was any kind of indicator of truth then we would have to ask why most Baha'is do not leave.

What people believe has absolutely NOTHING to do with whether it is true or false, because people do not determine reality. They either discover it or fail to do so. The evidence is what assists us in doing so, but we have to look at all the evidence, and we have to look at it without bias and more than hastily.

It is easier for some of us than others to find the truth and hold fast to the truth. The reason why is because we all have different backgrounds and many people have so much that clouds their reasoning such that they cannot look without bias, but another reason only some find the truth is a mystery. God only knows. :)

“What “oppression” is greater than that which hath been recounted? What “oppression” is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it? For opinions have sorely differed, and the ways unto the attainment of God have multiplied. This “oppression” is the essential feature of every Revelation. Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs follow the darkness of the night of error. For this reason, in all chronicles and traditions reference hath been made unto these things, namely that iniquity shall cover the surface of the earth and darkness shall envelop mankind. As the traditions referred to are well known, and as the purpose of this servant is to be brief, He will refrain from quoting the text of these traditions.”
The Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 31-32
 

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
We have not scratched the surface of Prophecy. Some will be more obvious than others. I did post this above and I ask you of all those that made a claim, how many could fulfill Micah 7:12 "In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain". Persia was part of Assyria and to the East of the Holy Land. Baha'u'llah was Persecuted and Banished to fulfill this Prophecy, this prophecy is as clearly fulfilled by Baha'u'llah as the sun at noonday. In turn it allows us to then see fulfillment in other prophecy such as;

Ezekiel 43:2 "and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. "Glory of God", "Baha'u'llah" came from the East, The lands has become radiant with His Glory.

Ezekiel 43:4 "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.". Baha'u'llah the "Glory of the Lord" came to the Holy land via the Bab "Gate" from the East.

Again who else has done this that has made the claim Baha'u'llah has and it was not by His own hand that Baha'u'llah ended up at Akka?

What about Akka in Tradition, the Bible mentions it a few times, but Islamic tradition mentions it many times.

This link will show the great Prophecies of ISAIAH and MICAH - isaiah

This will show prophecies about Akka from Islam, and many others - Islamic prophecies

Regards Tony

Let's look at Ezekiel first. I'll take a look at those others later. In a little more context than one or two verses, how is this a prophecy about Baha'u'llah and the Bab? Can you tell me what is going on here? And to take it in full context, we'd have to know what was going on during the time of Ezekiel and know the what the previous chapters were talking about and what he talking about after these verses from chapter 43. So what does this God of Israel tell Ezekiel? And if Baha'u'llah means "the glory of God" in Arabic, then what do names like Ezekiel, and Daniel and Yeshua mean in Hebrew? And, since these names mention God in them, does that mean every time that God is my strength or God is my salvation or God is my judge in the Bible... that it is referring to these people? Anyway, here is Ezekiel 43:1-18

43 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: 2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.

5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.

7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.

9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.

11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

12 This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.

13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.

14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.

15 So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.

16 And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.

17 And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
 

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
Why they thought it was true and why they left has NOTHING to do with whether it was true or not. This is related to them and them alone, why they joined and why they left. If that was any kind of indicator of truth then we would have to ask why most Baha'is do not leave.

What people believe has absolutely NOTHING to do with whether it is true or false, because people do not determine reality. They either discover it or fail to do so. The evidence is what assists us in doing so, but we have to look at all the evidence, and we have to look at it without bias and more than hastily.

It is easier for some of us than others to find the truth and hold fast to the truth. The reason why is because we all have different backgrounds and many people have so much that clouds their reasoning such that they cannot look without bias, but another reason only some find the truth is a mystery. God only knows. :)

“What “oppression” is greater than that which hath been recounted? What “oppression” is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it? For opinions have sorely differed, and the ways unto the attainment of God have multiplied. This “oppression” is the essential feature of every Revelation. Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs follow the darkness of the night of error. For this reason, in all chronicles and traditions reference hath been made unto these things, namely that iniquity shall cover the surface of the earth and darkness shall envelop mankind. As the traditions referred to are well known, and as the purpose of this servant is to be brief, He will refrain from quoting the text of these traditions.”
The Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 31-32
Jesus told his followers they should be the light of the world. I'm sure Baha'u'llah said things similar. The one I remember is the one about letting deeds not words be your adorning. What are those deeds that Baha'is are supposed to be doing? Are they doing them? If not, then how are Baha'is any different than Christians that go to Church but don't live spiritual lives? The world sees that and calls them out as hypocrites.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Hmmm? Let's take a look at the largest Christian denomination, the Roman Catholic Church. Do they bear good fruit? Do they teach the truth about God? How about a new Christian group that arose during roughly the same time as the Baha'i Faith, the Mormon Church. I'm not sure, but I think they have more members than Baha'is. Do they bear good fruit? Do they teach the truth about God?

To me these Biblical passages tell us how to determine a True Prophet first and foremost, it is not a reference to the followers. The New Message defines who they will be, and how they shall be distinguished.

Thus Christ has defined a True Christian;

Romans 12:9-21
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

You will note that Fundamental Doctrinal loyalty is not noted as a required fruit of a True Christian.

"The evidence of a true Christian is displayed in both faith and action. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). James says, “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Jesus put it this way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). A true Christian will show his faith by how he lives."

Thus Baha'u'llah is Judged by the Fruits mentioned in the Bible and a Baha'i is defined by the New Word. This is also applicable to Muhammad and Muslims.

Regards Tony
 
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Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Unfortunately, many people leave the Baha'i Faith or don't participate... at all, but don't bother to drop their membership. For me that's troubling, because it indicates that the initial contact with the Baha'i Faith was positive and convincing... that they had found the truth of God for today. But then they leave?
I have another passage for you that is pertinent to this topic. What it essentially says in bold italics at the end is that we will never discover the truth for ourselves if we use the deeds of mortal men as a standard by which to understand God and His Prophets.

In other words, we cannot measure truth according to what other people think or do.

“IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, THE EXALTED, THE MOST HIGH.

No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. Sanctify your souls, O ye peoples of the world, that haply ye may attain that station which God hath destined for you and enter thus the tabernacle which, according to the dispensations of Providence, hath been raised in the firmament of the Bayán.

“The essence of these words is this: they that tread the path of faith, they that thirst for the wine of certitude, must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly—their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which perisheth. They should put their trust in God, and, holding fast unto Him, follow in His way. Then will they be made worthy of the effulgent glories of the sun of divine knowledge and understanding, and become the recipients of a grace that is infinite and unseen, inasmuch as man can never hope to attain unto the knowledge of the All-Glorious, can never quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom, can never enter the abode of immortality, nor partake of the cup of divine nearness and favour, unless and until he ceases to regard the words and deeds of mortal men as a standard for the true understanding and recognition of God and His Prophets.”
The Kitáb-i-Íqán, pp. 3-4
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Jesus told his followers they should be the light of the world. I'm sure Baha'u'llah said things similar. The one I remember is the one about letting deeds not words be your adorning. What are those deeds that Baha'is are supposed to be doing? Are they doing them? If not, then how are Baha'is any different than Christians that go to Church but don't live spiritual lives? The world sees that and calls them out as hypocrites.
I cannot speak for what other Baha'is are doing, but I know that many Baha'is are doing many things all over the world; otherwise the Faith would not be functioning and growing. We all have our own spheres of usefulness and that is where we can best exert our efforts. My sphere is online because I am good at writing and I prefer online to in person, and it is difficult for me to get out given my life circumstances.

As far as how other Baha'is live their lives, I do not feel that is any of my business. I just try to keep my own house in order. ;)
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Jesus told his followers they should be the light of the world. I'm sure Baha'u'llah said things similar. The one I remember is the one about letting deeds not words be your adorning. What are those deeds that Baha'is are supposed to be doing? Are they doing them? If not, then how are Baha'is any different than Christians that go to Church but don't live spiritual lives? The world sees that and calls them out as hypocrites.

Baha'u'llah has defined what it is the be a Baha'i;

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility." Bahá'í Reference Library - Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Page 285

This was Abdul'baha.

Regards Tony
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Let's look at Ezekiel first. I'll take a look at those others later. In a little more context than one or two verses, how is this a prophecy about Baha'u'llah and the Bab? Can you tell me what is going on here?

CG, to attempt to unravel these books of Prophecy, I could not do it with any justice. I am not well enough versed in scriptures to do this. But I can make some observations I would post as questions we can ask our own selves.

If we start ate the beginning of this book "The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel", this is noted;

"1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, 1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings." King James Bible : Ezekiel

From What I know the Prophet Ezekiel was one of many mentioned that fell under the Dispensation of the Tanakh, to which Abraham and Moses were the Major Prophets.

Thus could this vision be of the 4 Messengers to come. The 4 Faces being that of Christ, Muhammad the Bab and Baha'u'llah showing they are each the likeness of the other?

From here on the Vision would be the unfolding of the Revelations of Christ, Muhammad the Bab and Baha'u'llah and all the symbolism and metaphors contained within, will tell a greater story by themselves. There are timelines mentioned early in this Prophecy, to which I have not studied. As we get towards the End of this Prophecy it is when it is talking about the 'Glory of God' entering by the 'Gate'.

I also note that Ezekiel did talk to the 'Glory of the Lord' early in this Vision;

"3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. 3:24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house." King James Bible

He mentioned this later in the Vision;

"43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east." King James Bible

Regards Tony




 

Neb

Active Member
More than a thousand years, and now we are going to look for Muhammad's "Elijah"? Does it really matter who they come up with? How would we know the difference? After all, they needed two people to use as the "two witnesses", so what do they do? They use Muhammad as one, who was already named as the first of the three "Woes", and who isn't really a witness, but is Christ returned, supposedly... and then for the second witness, one of his disciples? Someone named Ali? I took an introductory course on Islam and I don't remember Ali at all. So how important was Ali?


My favorite Baha'i use of Islam is how they make all the leaders, starting with the Umayyads, evil and part of the prophesied beasts and dragons of Revelation. The craziest being how they make the beast with the fatal wound a Umayyad leader that escaped to Andalusia and set up his rule there. It doesn't come close to fitting into the things in Revelation that are predicted for this beast power to have done. Plus, in Revelation, all these beasts and dragons are leading up to the return of Christ. The Baha'is have them coming right after Muhammad, the supposed very next return of Christ, and more than 1000 years before the dual return of Christ in the Bab and Baha'u'llah.


So what are you as a Christian looking for and expecting in Christ's return? I suspect it is Jesus himself. And some obvious and verifiable fulfilling of the prophesies in Revelation. I have given them high marks on two, the 1260 years and the "new" name, that's it. All the rest are very problematic.
Wow! You really followed their fantasy book based on Revelation. The book of Revelation is really very hard to interpret and like you said, "I have given them high marks on two, the 1260 years and the "new" name, that's it. All the rest are very problematic."

If they can’t keep a very tight leash then nothing is off limits to any interpretation they make and at the end, like you said, “the rest are very problematic”. They are very independent on justifying any interpretation that will only fit their ends, but does it really justify the ends by means of their loose interpretations of the Book of Revelation? No, “very problematic”, you said. Can they accurately interpret what is allegorical, metaphorical, and literal in the Book of Revelation? No one can!

Umayyads was the 2nd caliph, next to abu bark, the father-in-law of Muhammad, and today the Caliphate State is headed by Caliph Abu Bakr-al-Baghdadi, head of ISIL.

“In an audio-taped message, al-Baghdadi announced that ISIL would march on "Rome" – generally interpreted to mean the West – in its quest to establish an Islamic State from the Middle East across Europe. He said that he would conquer both Rome and Spain in this endeavor[84][85] and urged Muslims across the world to immigrate to the new Islamic State.” -Wiki

If you read Revelation you could sense that Rome is the “Babylon”, right?

They all have the same loose interpretation of the Book of Revelation. They all think they are part of the play by perverting or misapplying themselves as one of the characters mentioned in the book just like this cult leader in Philippines, Felix Y. Manalo of Iglesia ni Kristo, claiming he was the angel from the east in Revelation 7:2 "And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea."
 

CG Didymus

Veteran Member
CG, to attempt to unravel these books of Prophecy, I could not do it with any justice. I am not well enough versed in scriptures to do this. But I can make some observations I would post as questions we can ask our own selves.

If we start ate the beginning of this book "The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel", this is noted;

"1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, 1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings." King James Bible : Ezekiel

From What I know the Prophet Ezekiel was one of many mentioned that fell under the Dispensation of the Tanakh, to which Abraham and Moses were the Major Prophets.

Thus could this vision be of the 4 Messengers to come. The 4 Faces being that of Christ, Muhammad the Bab and Baha'u'llah showing they are each the likeness of the other?

From here on the Vision would be the unfolding of the Revelations of Christ, Muhammad the Bab and Baha'u'llah and all the symbolism and metaphors contained within, will tell a greater story by themselves. There are timelines mentioned early in this Prophecy, to which I have not studied. As we get towards the End of this Prophecy it is when it is talking about the 'Glory of God' entering by the 'Gate'.

I also note that Ezekiel did talk to the 'Glory of the Lord' early in this Vision;

"3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. 3:24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house." King James Bible

He mentioned this later in the Vision;

"43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east." King James Bible

Regards Tony



It is difficult to figured out what was a prophecy and what wasn't.

So Ezekiel has this vision. He sees the glory of the Lord come into the house through the gate that faced towards the east. Is that the prophecy? Or, does what happens after that... the prophecy? Because then the glory of the Lord begans to speak. What did he say? Aren't they the prophetic words that are being spoken to Ezekiel? Or, at least worthy to be included in the interpretation of verse 7:12?

Micah 7:12 is similar. It says all that stuff about coming from Assyria and the fortified cities, but then it says what will happen. The context of what is quoted is never taken into account. And, I looked at the map of ancient Assyria, and it looked to the west of Persia. If at one time Assyria conquered and ruled over Persian, is that what you're thinking?
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
It is difficult to figured out what was a prophecy and what wasn't.

So Ezekiel has this vision. He sees the glory of the Lord come into the house through the gate that faced towards the east. Is that the prophecy? Or, does what happens after that... the prophecy? Because then the glory of the Lord begans to speak. What did he say? Aren't they the prophetic words that are being spoken to Ezekiel? Or, at least worthy to be included in the interpretation of verse 7:12?

Micah 7:12 is similar. It says all that stuff about coming from Assyria and the fortified cities, but then it says what will happen. The context of what is quoted is never taken into account. And, I looked at the map of ancient Assyria, and it looked to the west of Persia. If at one time Assyria conquered and ruled over Persian, is that what you're thinking?

The Assyrian Empire covered the area where Baha'u'llah gave His Message and declared His Mission (Baghdad) and where he was exiled to.

Assyria.jpg


To me what else could a passage mean that says that Baha'u'llah came by the way of the Bab from the East, given that the Bab and Baha'u'llah gave Messages they said fulfilled all Prophecy?

Also a path that would be taken to get to the Holy land from the East was also given and Fulfilled.

Regards Tony
 
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CG Didymus

Veteran Member
Nobody but Baha'u'llah. :D BTW, thanks for posting that... I already pressed that prophecy into service on another forum and I am keeping it in my back pocket. :)

It is just so obvious that Baha'u'llah was the return of Christ/Messiah prophesied in the Bible, to anyone who bothers to look at all the prophecies. :rolleyes:

Then we have all the other evidence, who Baha'u'llah was as a Person, what He did on His mission, what He predicted that has come to pass, the religion He left in His wake.

Missing Baha'u'llah is akin to missing the broad side of a barn. :oops:
And yet there are still so many prophesies unfulfilled. Baha'u'llah is dead and gone, and still... There is no peace. Instead of swords getting made into plowshares, greater weapons have been developed.
 
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