Gems of Divine Mysteries Part 3

113 In these days, inasmuch as We have lifted not the veils that conceal the countenance of the Cause of G.o.d, nor disclosed unto men the fruits of these stations which We have been forbidden to describe, thou beholdest them drunk with heedlessness. Otherwise, were the glory of this station to be revealed unto men to an extent smaller than a needle's eye, thou wouldst witness them gathering before the threshold of divine mercy and hastening from all sides to the court of nearness in the realms of divine glory. We have concealed it, however, as mentioned before, that those who believe may be distinguished from them that deny, and that those who turn unto G.o.d may be discerned from them that turn aside. I verily proclaim: "There is no power nor strength except in G.o.d, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting."

114 From this station the wayfarer ascendeth unto a City that hath no name or description, and whereof one heareth neither sound nor mention. Therein flow the oceans of eternity, whilst this city itself revolveth round the seat of eternity. Therein the sun of the Unseen s.h.i.+neth resplendent above the horizon of the Unseen, a sun that hath its own heavens and its own moons, which partake of its light and which rise from and set upon the ocean of the Unseen. Nor can I ever hope to impart even a dewdrop of that which hath been decreed therein, as none is acquainted with its mysteries save G.o.d, its Creator and Fas.h.i.+oner, and His Manifestations.

115 Know, moreover, that when We undertook to reveal these words and committed some of them to writing, it was Our intention to elucidate for thine eminence, in the sweet accents of the blessed and the well-favoured of G.o.d, all that We had previously mentioned of the words of the Prophets and the sayings of the Messengers. Time, however, was lacking, and the traveller who came from thy presence was in great haste and eager to return. Thus have We cut short Our discourse and contented Ourself with this much, without completing the description of these stages in a seemly and befitting manner. Indeed, We have omitted the description of major cities and mighty journeys. Such was the haste of the courier that We even forsook the mention of the two exalted journeys of Resignation and Contentment.

116 Yet, should thine eminence reflect upon these brief statements, thou wouldst a.s.suredly acquire every knowledge, attain unto the Object of all learning, and exclaim: "Sufficient are these words unto all creation both visible and invisible!"

117 Even so, should the fire of love burn within thy soul, thou wouldst ask: "Is there yet any more?" (67) And We say: "Praise be to G.o.d, the Lord of the worlds!"

FOOTNOTES

1 Shoghi Effendi, _G.o.d Pa.s.ses By_ (Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1974), p. 110.

2 Baha'u'llah, _The Kitab-i-iqan _(Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1994), p. 26.

3 cf. Qur'an 67:3.

4 cf. Qur'an 24:35.

5 Matt. 24:19.

6 cf. Matt. 24:2931.

7 Mark 13:19.

8 cf. Luke 21:2528.

9 John 15:2627.

10 John 14:26.

11 John 16:56.

12 John 16:7.

13 John 16:13.

14 The Imams of _Sh_i'ih Islam.

15 Jesus.

16 cf. Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33.

17 The Antichrist, who it was believed would appear at the advent of the Promised One, to contend with and be ultimately defeated by Him.

18 Another figure who it was believed would raise the banner of rebellion between Mecca and Damascus at the appearance of the Promised One.

19 Qur'an 16:43.

20 A magician in the court of Pharaoh during the time of Moses.

21 Qur'an 83:6; 2:89.

22 The Imams of _Sh_i'ih Islam.

23 Qur'an 29:2.

24 Qur'an 2:156.

25 Qur'an 29:69.

26 Qur'an 2:282.

27 From a Hadi_th_.

28 ibid.

29 Qur'an 30:30.

30 Qur'an 48:23.

31 Qur'an 67:3.

32 Qur'an 17:110.

33 Qur'an 57:3.

34 The twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the son of Hasan al-'Askari.

35 According to _Sh_i'ih traditions, the twin cities of Jabulqa and Jabulsa are the dwelling place of the Hidden Imam (the Promised One), whence He will appear on the Day of Resurrection.

36 Muhammad.

37 Qur'an 33:40.

38 Qur'an 13:2.

39 Qur'an 74:50.

40 cf. Qur'an 13:5.

41 Qur'an 11:7.