1Know the Truth?
“Present your case,” says the Lord. “Set forth your arguments”…
Isaiah 41:21 NIV
Prove all things… I Thessalonians 5:21

1Meaning of Prophecies?
…who has known the mind of the Lord…? I Cor. 2:16 NIV
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways… Isaiah 55:8 NIV
Then He [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the
Scriptures. Luke 24:45 NIV

1Instructions Given to us?
Wake up!… I shall come upon you like a thief! Christ (Rev. 3:2-3 NEB)
That is the day when I come like a thief! Happy the man who stays
awake… Christ (Rev. 16:15 NEB)
…unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time.
Hebrews 9:28
If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if
you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will…find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5 NIV

Part Ii

1Bahá’u’lláh:
The Glory of God
Chapter 3: Bahá’u’lláh: The One
Promised in All Sacred Scriptures

Part Iii
Proofs

1How Can We Know—
Without any Doubt—that
a Religion Comes from God?
Chapter 4: Bahá’í Proofs

Part Iv

The Role Of
Religious Leaders

1Chapter 5: Religious Leaders
Chapter 6: My Dialogue With
Several Christian Theologians

Part V
The Word Of God

1Chapter 7: Prayers from Bahá’u’lláh
Chapter 8: Bahá’u’lláh’s Meditations
and Prayers to God
Chapter 9: How Does God Motivate Us
to Know Him and Love Him?

Part Vi
Further Proofs
Books That Can Confirm Your Faith
And Change Your Destiny

1What is the purpose of prophecy? To help us recognize our Redeemer. Yet history shows
that prophecy serves just the opposite purpose. It prevents us from knowing our
Redeemer! The main reason is the discrepancy between what God intends to say and
what we think He intends. God often speaks in figurative language, we speak in literal.
Instead of adapting our thinking to God’s language, we try to adapt God’s language to our
ways of thinking and speaking.
Because of Jesus’ unique ways of speaking, sometimes even His disciples did not
understand Him, let alone the Jewish religious leaders and scholars. Could this happen
again? Should not example of the first Advent be a lesson to us? Should we, like the
Jews, disregard the discrepancy between the heavenly and human language? Should we
insist, as they did, that we have the wisdom to understand the true meaning of
prophecies? Should Christian scholars and leaders claim that although the Jews did not
understand God’s language, they do? Can any believer present a single verse to show that
Jesus has given him the wisdom or the authority to interpret the prophecies? This book
presents conclusive evidence to show that unless we approach the Word of God in a spirit
of humility, we will once again allow history to repeat itself, we may even side with
negative forces. We may be remembered among those who rejected their Redeemer.

1emotions, or depend on the demands of reason? What is a reliable standard? The validity
of religion, like science, must stand on evidence; if it cannot pass the test of reason, it
should be rejected. Any seeker who investigates the truth of a religion must demand
proofs. If a religion cannot prove itself, it is unworthy of attention. What would happen if
all people followed this one rule, if they demanded irrefutable evidence for the truth of a
religion before believing in it?
The prime reason science moves forward is this: scientists do not depend on what their
parents or friends tell them to believe. They demand evidence. What has been, and still is,
the norm in religion? Ask a hundred people: “Why are you a Christian, a Jew, or a
Muslim?” What do you think they will say? If they followed the rules of reason, as
scientists do, would they not be following one harmonious system of beliefs?
We all reflect on this question: Is it easy to tell the difference between the divine and the

2darkness? Can anyone with open eyes mistake one for the other?
As long as people fail to demand evidence for their beliefs, two things will happen:
• Deceivers will continue to find receptive listeners.
• The followers of great religions will remain divided.
You now have a chance and a choice to reverse both of these trends by doing exactly
what others fail to do: demand convincing proofs for the divine origin of the Bahá’í Faith
and its Founder, Bahá’u’lláh, who declares to be the promised Messenger and Redeemer
of all mankind. If you fail to find irrefutable proofs, then reject His claim without any
hesitation.

1In the last days people will be…always learning but never able to
acknowledge the truth. II Timothy 3:1, 7 NIV
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to
myths. II Timothy 4:4 NIV

1“Guiding Map” into a
“Misleading Map”?

2This chapter describes how the believers, throughout all ages, have altered the “guiding
map of prophecies” into a “misleading map” of confusing theories and assumptions. They
have been so confident in their beliefs, in the accuracy of their assumptions that they
have refused to pay any attention to the News of the Advent of their Redeemer. They
have totally ignored these clear and emphatic instructions:
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching [paying close
attention] when he comes. Luke 12:37 NIV
If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I
will come to you. Revelation 3:3 NIV
…do not let him find you sleeping. Mark 13:36 NIV
What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!” Mark 13:37 NIV

1The Bible contains one verse so powerful, it could change the world. It speaks of a deadly
disease that is quite easy to catch and spread. It has caused countless religious wars, it has
divided Christianity into thousands of denominations, and it has caused the rejection of
every Redeemer God has ever sent. This deadly disease is literal-mindedness. Its
awesome powers are described in these words:
…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. II Cor. 3:6 NIV
It is amazing that even after 2,000 years of learning about this deadly disease, the bacteria
of literal thinking is as alive and deadly at the time of the Second Advent as it was at the
time of the First! This chapter demonstrates how this deadly disease has shaped the
course of history.

1Prophecies are like sign posts; they are given to guide us to our destiny, to help us
recognize our Redeemer. But many believers, throughout all ages, have used them for
an opposite purpose. They have turned them into obstacles to deny their Redeemer.
They have acted like someone who thirsts for water, but uses water to drown himself!
The prime reason for the abuse of prophecy is the abundance of symbols, parables, and
metaphors in sacred Scriptures—especially in prophetic verses—and the abundance of
literal-minded believers among the followers of all religions. Obviously this is not a good
match. What would we expect if we had a married couple who could not communicate?
What would happen if one of them spoke in sign language, and the other could not
interpret the signs? This seemingly little seed of misunderstanding has borne bitter fruits
in all ages and all religions. The following verse describes the obstacle that people faced
at the time of Jesus and still are facing:
Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
John 10:6 NIV

1Clothed with Symbols?
Prophecy is essentially a sign language. There are many reasons for this. Let us explore
two of them:
• What would have happened if King Herod had known who Jesus was? Would Jesus
have had a chance of surviving beyond His infancy (Matt. 2:13-16)? Those who
hold the reins of power, both secular and religious, always feel threatened by God’s
great Messengers and Redeemers.
• What would happen to people’s freedom of choice if prophecies gave them the
exact details about their Redeemer in a way that they could not deny Him? What
would happen to their cherished gift of faith?
Symbolic or sign language serves as a means of testing the believers’ sincerity. It offers
the faithful a means by which they can reach their hearts’ desire. It offers the faithful a
stepping stone to reach their destiny by recognizing their Redeemer. But symbolic
language also offers the same opportunity to the unfaithful. It provides them with a way
to justify and follow their hearts’ desire: to remain in their comfort zone by rejecting their
Redeemer. It allows them to preserve their freedom of choice.
Concealing events through symbols is comparable with the way God conceals Himself.
What would happen if God stepped out from behind “the veil” and allowed us to see
Him? The consequences would be the same if all prophecies were expressed in literal
language.

1presents the most valuable lesson for all believers. It demonstrates the difference between
human language and God’s language. It teaches us what happens when spiritual language
strikes the minds of literal thinkers, what follows when two opposites come together and
interact. Imagine a four year old who hears his parents speak about “burning love,” and
thinks that they mean literal fire. That is how the Pharisees interpreted the Word of Jesus.
Imagine also a police officer who hears about a poor, homeless wanderer, with devoted
followers, who walks around and tells people that:
I have come to set fire to the earth. Christ (Luke 12:49 NEB)
And if asked: “Where are you coming from?” The poor man responds:
I have come from heaven (sky). Christ (John 6:38 NEB)
Then he adds:
I am the bread that came down from heaven (sky). Christ (John 6:41 NIV)

1throughout the Bible that condemn literal thinking. They also encounter several specific
references and many examples that encourage spiritual thinking. Despite this they
continue to insist on the accuracy of their position, and continue to ignore the teachings
of the Bible that they should not depend on their personal interpretation (II Peter 1:20;
Proverbs 3:5).
What Scriptural defense do we find for literal thinking? None! To justify their stance,
literal thinkers have their own verse. They simply claim—without a single reference to
support their views—that: “The Bible means what it says, and says what it means.”
We have countless references and examples that teach us just the opposite. Surely the
Bible contains many literal facts. But contrary to what the literalists claim, the Bible often
does not mean what it says, and often does not say what it means. This topic is so vast, it
is treated in a forthcoming book by this author: In the Clouds of Glory. The book
explains the many uses of metaphor in the Scriptures.

1anyone can imagine. What consequence can be more serious and sinful than the rejection
and ridicule of the One who comes to guide humankind and lead them to their divine
destiny? What consequence can be greater than sending the Redeemer of the world to

2world?
Since the Ones sent by God do not literally fulfill the prophecies, the literal-minded
believers, who are always in the majority, simply refuse to pay attention (“Watch”) to the
news of His coming. This has been the trend throughout all ages, the prime reason for the
rejection of every Messenger and Redeemer God has sent to humankind.

3Why is Literal Thinking Popular?
Literal thinking is popular for several reasons. It is easier; it does not require abstract
thinking. Further, it appeals to the believers’ self-interests, it reinforces what they already
want to believe. It gives them the good news of being among the privileged; it offers
them the hope of receiving special treatments, favors, honors, and glories from their
powerful Redeemer who comes exclusively to comfort them and rescue them, while
leaving the followers of other faiths in the grip of hopeless misery, humiliation, and even
death by fire!
Imagine the sense of elation and ecstasy that this belief can generate in any believer. No
wonder a series of books known as Left Behind (to suffer and die in misery) has sold over
40 million copies. This breaks the record set by any religious book published in the West
except the Bible. The success of these books alone points to the fulfillment of the
following prophecy concerning the believers who live at the end of the age:
…they will gather around them a great number of [Bible] teachers to say what their
itching ears want to hear. II Timothy 4:3 NIV
Today the first obstacle that prevents many Christians from investigating the news of the
Second Advent is their assumption and insistence that they know how Jesus will return:
from heaven to take the “true” believers with Himself back to heaven, but leave the great
majority of humankind behind to suffer and die in misery. Some leaders of literal thinking
even estimate the number of Christians who deserve to be saved: about nine percent of

1“unknown place” with great glory and power to crush their enemies and crown them on a
kingdom as lofty and splendid as those ruled by David and Solomon. They said:
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46 NIV). Where on earth can a
place be unknown to humans? None except the heavens qualify for this honor.
How then did Jesus fulfill the expectation cherished by the Jews? What did He say to
those who questioned Him? He told them in plain language that He had fulfilled their
desire, that He had indeed come from the sky, and that He had at His command “all
power.”

2See also John 6:42
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Christ (Matt. 28:18)
…a deliverer with victorious power… Luke 1:69 NEB
Why did Jesus advance a claim that did not seem to be true? Because He spoke in sign
language, not literal language. He contradicted this widely accepted principle: “The Bible
means what it says, and it says what it means.” In this instance and many others, Jesus
did not mean what He said and did not say what He meant. He used metaphoric speech to
show the fulfillment of metaphoric prophecies. Only a spiritual mind can discern and
appreciate the things that come from God. The literal mind does not have this extremely
valuable and unique talent:
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14 NIV
Once again Bahá’u’lláh• speaks in the same language to show the fulfillment of the same
prophecies. He reminds Christians that He has indeed fulfilled their desire, that He has
also come from heaven with great power and glory, even as he had come and fulfilled the
same expectations in the same way, the first time:
He [Bahá’u’lláh], verily, hath again come down from Heaven even as He came down
from it the first time.1 Bahá’u’lláh
God is my witness! He, the Ancient of everlasting days [Bahá’u’lláh] is come, girded
with majesty and power.2 Bahá’u’lláh
The All-Merciful is come invested with power and sovereignty.3 Bahá’u’lláh
If Jesus’ statement that He came from heaven is true, cannot the same statement from
Bahá’u’lláh also be true? If Jesus’ statement that He has “all power” is true, cannot
Bahá’u’lláh’s statement that He has “power and majesty” also be true? Why apply two
standards to God’s language spoken at different times? Why take one language
symbolically, and the other literally? Who decided that there was a shift in God’s way of

1descent of a Redeemer from above. The Jews did not have this precedent. The example
that Jesus set—how He fulfilled the prophecies and how people rejected His
interpretation—should open the hearts and minds of all faithful Christians. It should
awaken them to this truth, to this invaluable lesson of history: human beings should not
regard their understanding of prophecy as the standard of truth.

2•
See Part II for a brief introduction to Bahá’u’lláh’s life.

3quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom…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.4 Bahá’u’lláh
When tested for their ability to decode the prophetic language, human beings have always
received a failing grade. In the court of prophecy, they have always proved to be unfair
and incompetent judges.
Does a Redeemer come to break the seal of prophecies, or should He ask Bible teachers
to teach Him the wisdom required to break them?
“Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on
earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
Christ (Rev. 5:2-3 NIV)
All prophetic vision has become for you like a sealed book… Isaiah 29:11 NEB
Does a Redeemer come to judge us by His truth, or does He come to be judged by our
“truth”?
…He is coming to judge…the peoples with His truth. Psalms 96:13 NKJ

1If wisdom could speak, what would it say? Would it say: “Trust the popular beliefs,
accept the traditional expectations”? Would it say: “Your lucky birth into your family
gives you a good reason to remain where you are”? Would it say: “If your family is
Baptist, stay a Baptist; if a Sunni, stay a Sunni; if an atheist, stay an atheist”? Would
wisdom say: “This choice—investigating or ignoring the news of the Second Advent—is
so minor, it should be left to the judgment of others”? Would wisdom say: “If you wish to
find the truth, do not waste your time in seeking”? Would it say: “Do not hesitate to build
your everlasting destiny on chance or coincidence”? Would wisdom declare: “Do not pay
attention to any claim that does not fulfill the orthodox, the popular, and the mainstream
expectations”? Would wisdom say: “As long as you are in the majority, you are safe”?
No, wisdom would say none of these. The Scriptures, the evidence of history, and reason
reject all those assumptions:
…seek, and ye shall find… Christ (Matt. 7:7)
…small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Christ (Matt. 7:14 NIV)

1absolute and unconditional humility. Those haloes should enlighten all their thoughts.
They should guide every step of their spiritual journey. Jesus exalted and blessed the

2with pride (Matt. 23:12).
If anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, he must leave self behind.
Matthew 16:24 NEB
See also John 9:39
Let a man humble himself till he is like this child, and he will be the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. Matthew 17:4
He that is exalted among you shall be abased, and he that is abased shall be exalted.5
Bahá’u’lláh
A lack of humility—such as saying “I am sure I am right and have no need to investigate
Bahá’u’lláh’s claim”—is the first and foremost obstacle in the path of many devout
Christians. This obstacle is so powerful, it conceals from the sleeping souls, the most
splendid revelation of God’s glory and grace. To the awakened, the Glory of God shines
as brightly as the lightning that illumines the sky (Matt. 24:27). To the sleepers, that
Supreme Glory remains as hidden as a thief (Rev. 3:3). Those who start their spiritual
journey with this grave obstacle—I am sure Jesus must come from the sky—will be
unable to take the next essential step: Test Bahá’u’lláh—the Glory of God—by God’s
standards, rather than by their own faulty assumptions. They will fail for the same reason
that others before them have failed: staying firmly on the literal track, preferring the

1assuming that they understand the meaning of prophecies any better than the Jews? Is
there a single verse that promises them this advantage, that validates this sense of
superiority? Do they have a global vision of God’s plan? Can they assemble the grand
jigsaw puzzle of prophecy? If they can, why then are there so many conflicting “schools”
of prophecy?
Note how Jesus rebuked the Jews for their failure to recognize that their Messiah must
first suffer and then later “enter His glory”?
“How dull you are!” he answered. “How slow to believe all that the prophets said!
Was the Messiah not bound to suffer thus before entering upon his glory?”
Luke 24:25 NEB
What evidence is there to believe that those who lived at the time of the First Advent
were “spiritually dull,” but those who live at the time of the Second Advent are
“spiritually bright”? Do people change from age to age?
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom… Jeremiah 9:23
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach
me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long…He guides the
humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalms 25:4-5, 9 NIV

2would rather come to relieve their sufferings. They did not link Chapter 53 of Isaiah—
that speaks of suffering—to their expected Messiah. Consider the following statement
from a major Christian institution, known as Resources for Christian Communication:
Jesus’ closest friends also found it impossible to believe that Jesus would suffer at the
hands of His enemies (Matt. 16:21-23). They expected that He had come to conquer
the world and bring in the kingdom of God. Only in time would Jesus’ disciples be
able to see that the prophet Isaiah had predicted another side of the Messiah’s work.
Only in retrospect would the friends of Jesus be able to see the meaning of the prophet
Isaiah’s words
The publication then quotes several verses from Isaiah 53, a chapter people failed to link
to Jesus:
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him
not…We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and
the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:3, 6 NIV
Question: It took some time for the followers of Jesus and a long time for others, to see
that Isaiah’s prophecy was relevant to the promised Messiah, and that the phrase
“despised and rejected by men” depicted another side of Jesus’ First Advent. How long
will it take for the masses of Christians to see that predictions such as “I was sick and in
prison and you did not look after me” or “He must first suffer,” or “I shall come like a
thief” or “as it was in the days of Noah” and many others, also depict another side of
Jesus’ Second Coming?•
It took about three centuries before Jesus received His due recognition—when Emperor
Constantine became a believer and promoted Christianity. How long will it take this
time? How long will people wait before they will partake of the most glorious outpouring
of grace from their Lord?
This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favors have been poured out upon men,
the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things.7
Bahá’u’lláh
The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which
God poureth forth for him.8 Bahá’u’lláh
Haste ye to win your share of God’s good grace and mercy in this Day that eclipseth
all other created Days. How great the felicity [bliss] that awaiteth the man that
forsaketh all he hath in a desire to obtain the things of God! Such a man, We testify, is
among God’s blessed ones.9 Bahá’u’lláh
Should we allow once again three centuries to pass before we awaken to this glorious
dawn, before we pay attention (“watch”) and open our hearts to the news of the coming
of our Redeemer?

3•
For a detailed review of prophecies that predict that Christ “must first suffer and be rejected” at His
Second Coming, see King of Kings, Chapters 4 to 9. In that book, a total of 6 chapters are devoted to this
topic.

1“seeing” the meaning of prophecies of the First Advent, and how once again one word is
preventing the people of our time from “seeing” the meaning of prophecies of the Second
Advent. The Jews were told repeatedly to expect their Messiah to be a king. Consider
these prophecies among many others:
I will raise up your offspring to succeed you…his throne will be established forever.
I Chronicles 17:11, 14 NIV
…one who will be ruler over Israel… Micah 5:2 NIV
When questioned about His kingdom, Jesus spoke in metaphoric language—as He did in
relation to His “coming from heaven”—to show the fulfillment of a metaphoric prophecy.
In response to the objections, He simply said that He was indeed a king, but in another
world—the spiritual world:
My kingdom does not belong to this world. Christ (John 18:36 NEB)
The story of the First Advent shows that when it comes to prophecy, human beings are
“slow learners.” Why did it take them so long to learn that God often speaks in spiritual
or figurative language? Now, once again, we are at a critical turning point in history. How
long will it take us this time to learn that same lesson? How long will it take us to learn
that “every eye shall see Him” refers to the spiritual eye, the “eye” in the heart, not on the
head? How long will it take us to learn the lesson of humility? How long will it take us to
notice and obey this instruction?
…no prophecy of Scripture is a [matter] of any personal or private or special
interpretation. II Peter 1:20 AB
How long will it take us this time to obey and honor this instruction?
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.
At that time each will receive his praise from God. I Corinthians 4:5 NIV
Ponder the following statement from the noted Christian author and scholar, Dr. James
Kennedy:
The great Princeton theologian of the last century, Dr. Charles Hodge, said something
which I have always thought is worth remembering. He said that though the Old
Testament is filled with some 333 prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ; in
spite of that, nobody got it right. And as you know, they crucified Christ because of a
misunderstanding about what the Messiah was really coming to do. And we should
because of that be somewhat humbled and modest in our attempts to interpret
prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ. It is quite possible that all of us
[Christian leaders] are wrong as well. [Emphasis added.]10
Even the enlightened people who lived at the time of Jesus needed help to understand the
meaning of Hebrew prophecies:
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 NIV

2And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in
all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27 NIV
Do we not once again need our Redeemer’s help to open our minds? Do we not need His
Wisdom to explain the meaning of prophecies to us?

1In His First Advent Jesus rejected, even condemned, the personal, private interpretation
of the Jews. He showed them that only He had the right to say that by “king” is meant
“spiritual king.” Does not Christ have the same right in His Second Advent? Is He not
allowed this time to say that by “eye” is meant the “spiritual eye”? Is He not authorized
this time to declare that His true essence is His Spirit, and that only the “eye” that can
“see” God can also see Him? Can He not declare, as He did in His First Advent, that once
again He has descended from heaven?
Both by the way Jesus responded to objectors and by the story of His life, He set the
standard of knowing what to expect. Should we change that standard and claim that this
time we know the true meaning of prophecies, that this time we know what “sky” and
“seeing” mean?
Does not God often speak in metaphoric language? Did He not teach us that only pure-
hearted people can “see” God? Surely He did not mean “seeing” with physical eyes.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Christ (Matt. 5:8)
Whether we want to see God, the Glory of God, the Love of God, or the Greatness of
God, the requirement is the same. We must possess a noble heart—pure and faithful. Note
how clearly Jesus taught us the requirement or prerequisite for seeing “the glory of God”
which is the English equivalent of “Bahá’u’lláh:”
Did I not tell you that if you have faith you will see the glory of God?
Christ (John 11:40 NEB)
Then who is qualified to decide which prophecy is literal, which prophecy is metaphoric?
Can Christians or Jews find one bishop, one rabbi, or one scholar, among all the peoples
of the world, who has this wisdom, who can “break the seal”? Will they be able to find
one honest Bible teacher who can claim to have the insight to know for sure?
This is one of the greatest puzzles of all times. Those who lived at the time of Jesus did
not understand the meaning of the prophecies regarding the First Advent. Jesus reminded
them repeatedly of their failure:
When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the
morning, “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.”
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the
signs of the times. Christ (Matt. 16:2-3 NKJ)
What do you think has changed since Jesus spoke those words? Could we assume that
people did not have the wisdom to discern the meaning of prophecies at the time of the

2show that they have, that they are wiser, humbler, or more discerning? Unfortunately
prophecies portray a gloomy picture of the spiritual profile of the people of our time:
There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of…pleasure rather
than lovers of God…They are the kind who…[are] always learning but never able to
acknowledge the truth. II Timothy 3:1-7 NIV
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit
their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn
aside to myths. II Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
If people acknowledge this fact—their inability to understand the truth of prophecies—
they will discover a panorama of fulfilled prophecies in Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation on a

1Every Redeemer comes on the clouds: the clouds of traditions, assumptions, and
misconceptions. The only “authority” that most people respected and obeyed at the time
of Jesus was “tradition.” That same authority rules today. And what is tradition? It is an
accumulation of assumptions—idle fancies—made long ago by some self-assured,
imaginative, and bold theologians, and then passed to others until it assumed the
appearance of truth!
What an awesome power tradition has at its command! Jesus was a poor and lowly Jew.
Without any armies, He conquered the world. Today one out of every three persons living
is Christian. By the example of His life and sacrifice, He showed us that He could not
have falsely claimed to be a Redeemer from God. Further, He fulfilled many Hebrew
prophecies. Yet, that one word—king—is still preventing millions of Jews from
acknowledging their Jewish Redeemer! How can one word possess such an awesome
power? How can it prevent the hearts and minds of millions from seeing?
In both of His Advents, Christ came not only from the sky, but also over the clouds. Like
the Sun He shined, and still is shining, but the clouds of assumptions and traditions
concealed—and still are concealing—His great glory and power from many millions of
people.
Today another word is playing the same role, and it has assumed the same awesome
power as the word “king” did long ago. That word is “sky.” Once again, to many people,
it does not matter how great Bahá’u’lláh is, what incredible prophecies He has fulfilled,
what great works He has accomplished, how noble a life He has lived, or what beautiful
Scriptures He has revealed. All that matters is that word: sky. Once again one word is
concealing the awesome Glory of God from countless millions of devout Christians.
History is repeating itself with astonishing precision. As Jesus declared, it is the way of
people to persecute the Prophets, and it is the way of future generations to build
magnificent shrines in their memories (Matt. 23:29).

1Consider the following verses from Bahá’u’lláh. Can any human being, on his own,
speak with such authority and power? These quotations alone manifest to receptive hearts
and souls, the true identity of Bahá’u’lláh, His divine glory and power:
I am the One Whom the tongue of Isaiah hath extolled, the One with Whose name
both the Torah and the Evangel were adorned.11 Bahá’u’lláh
…from the heights of the Kingdom the Voice of the Spirit of God is heard
proclaiming: “Bestir yourselves, ye proud ones of the earth, and hasten ye unto Him.”
Carmel hath, in this Day, hastened in longing adoration to attain His court, whilst from
the heart of Zion there cometh the cry: “The promise is fulfilled. That which had been
announced in the holy Writ of God, the most Exalted, the Almighty, the Best-Beloved,
is made manifest.”12 Bahá’u’lláh
Solomon in all his majesty circles in adoration around Me in this day, uttering this
most exalted word: “I have turned my face towards Thy face, O Thou omnipotent
Ruler of the world! I am wholly detached from all things pertaining unto me, and
yearn for that which Thou dost possess.”13 Bahá’u’lláh
O concourse of priests! Leave the bells, and come forth, then, from your churches. It
behoveth you, in this day, to proclaim aloud the Most Great Name among the nations.
Prefer ye to be silent, whilst every stone and every tree shouteth aloud: `The Lord is
come in His great glory!'?…He that summoneth men in My name is, verily, of Me,
and he will show forth that which is beyond the power of all that are on earth…Let the
Breeze of God awaken you. Verily, it hath wafted over the world. Well is it with him
that hath discovered the fragrance thereof and been accounted among the well-
assured.14 Bahá’u’lláh
O concourse of priests! The Day of Reckoning hath appeared, the Day whereon He
Who was in heaven hath come. He, verily, is the One Whom ye were promised in the
Books of God, the Holy, the Almighty, the All-Praised. How long will ye wander in
the wilderness of heedlessness and superstition? Turn with your hearts in the direction
of your Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous.15 Bahá’u’lláh

1Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is
more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious
than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her…She is a tree of life to those
who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV
… let the wise listen and add to their learning… Proverbs 1:5 NIV
Wisdom is the light that leads us to true knowledge. Among the lessons wisdom teaches
is this: “Have courage, but do not take unreasonable risks.” What is the risk no one

2choices do we face?
• We can either remain apathetic, complacent, and closed to new ideas.
• Or stay awake, watchful, alert, and open to new ideas.
Which choice is wise—apathy or alertness? The answer is evident:
Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man
going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his
assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch
because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the
evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly,
do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”
Christ (Mark 13:33-37 NIV)
Can wisdom coexist with apathy and ignorance? In a TV ad, someone asks a young lady:
“What kind of guy are you looking for?” She says: “Whatever!” Then another lady
appears. Someone asks her: “What kind of oil are you looking for?” She says: “Penzoil!”
The ad ends with: “What you choose does matter.”
The contents of the ad fits the way many people choose their destiny. When they want to
buy a car, they consult the Consumer’s Report to make the wisest choice. But when it
comes to choosing their everlasting destiny, do they also search for the wisest choice? Do
they try to discover what God has planned for them? Do they ask questions such as:
• What really matters in human life?
• Should I set aside some time to choose my destiny, or should I continue to
follow whatever my parents and my culture gave me?
In this age, it seems most people pay more attention to where they want to spend their
few days of vacation than where they want to spend eternity. It seems most people prefer
to watch their favorite TV show than watch for the news of the coming of their Lord. We
should note that failing to choose our destiny is also a choice, but one with everlasting
and irreversible consequences.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life
and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…the Lord is your life…

1Jesus declared that when He returned, He would divide the people into two groups:
When the Son of Man comes…he will separate the people one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the
goats on his left. Christ (Matt. 25:31-33 NIV)
Who are the two groups? One group consists of the believers who welcome their Lord
into their hearts and homes, and the other of the believers who fail to respond to His

2knocking. Today Jesus’ prediction has come true. Some Christians have welcomed the
Lord and embraced Him, while many others have ignored His call. To those who would
recognize Him and welcome Him, Jesus promised rewards beyond description. He said
He would give them the glorious honor of sitting with Him on His throne:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will
give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my
Father on his throne. Christ (Rev. 3:20-21)
Just as it was in the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37) and in the days of Jesus, most people
today are complacent with their lives. The news of the coming of the Lord does not excite
them. It does not bring them out of their churches and synagogues. They continue to
remain asleep in the night of unawareness. They do not heed Jesus’ repeated warnings
that they should be watchful and vigilant at all times.
Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with
him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.
Christ (Rev. 16:15 NIV)
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to
happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Christ (Luke 21:36 NIV)
Our Redeemer makes an urgent appeal to Christians—who have fixed their hopes and
their eyes on the skies—to investigate for themselves the news of His coming—the news
of the Advent of this most glorious Revelation. He invites each of us to step forward and
see for ourselves the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Scriptures. He invites us to
seek the knowledge of this most glorious event in human history!
He invites us to come and see for ourselves the supreme power and glory of the One we
have been waiting for! He invites us to examine the Blueprint that He has brought for
building the City of God! He invites us to come and see for ourselves the heavenly
Civilization that He has already established—a Civilization the like of which the world
has never seen before!
This Civilization, this Kingdom, has been growing steadily and slowly “like a mustard
seed.” And as our Lord has promised, it will become, in due season, the largest of all
trees:
What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe
it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet
when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big
branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.
Christ (Mark 4:30-32 NIV)
We have the freedom and the honor to participate and become a part of this Kingdom. To
succeed in our search, we must set aside all our fears, assumptions, and preconditions,
and begin our spiritual journey with total dependence on God, rather than on Bible
teachers and scholars who depend only on human understanding!
Can we expect to be delivered through avoidance and inaction? Can we expect to be
saved by ignoring His “knocking” and by keeping our heart closed? Can we expect to be

3saved by disobeying our Lord, by not seeking, by not praying, and by not “watching” or
paying attention to the news of His coming?
…through knowledge shall the just be delivered. Proverbs 11:9
This is the most auspicious time in human history. It is the time to lay the foundation for
the City of God. Our Redeemer invites us to come and participate in building this city. He
invites us to overcome our fears and open our hearts to His most glorious Advent! He
invites us to search for the Heavenly Thief! He invites us to allow the “Lamp of our
Spiritual Wisdom” to lead us to the Bridegroom and His everlasting Banquet! We are not
asked to accept anything, only to investigate, test, and examine, only to “watch” or pay
attention to the glorious News of His coming, and to the overwhelming evidence that
proves that our Lord has already returned!
Is it wise to let history once again repeat itself? Is it wise to ignore the Sun because of the
drifting clouds of literalism—clouds that have dominated the hearts and minds of
humankind and concealed the light of true understanding?
May God bless and guide you in all your endeavors.

1Christ (Matt. 13:31)

2Human beings are impatient; they expect and cherish dramatic and awesome events. They
love to behold an angelic Being suddenly come down from heaven and turn the earth into
paradise. They wish to see this prayer come true without any efforts on their part:
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Christ (Matt. 6:10)
Unfortunately, such wishes are only wishful thinking. Change without human effort is
contrary to the design of creation, to the ways of God:
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the
Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Just as a seed grows little by little, with tender loving care, so does the seed of the
Kingdom of heaven on earth:
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his
field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of
garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its
branches. Christ (Matt. 13:31-32 NIV)
History shows that there is a recurrent pattern in the way great Revelations grow and
flourish. Our age is no exception. We are told that history will once again repeat itself:
The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah’s time.
Christ (Matt. 24:37 NAB)
Let us now take a brief look at that recurrent pattern. In general, the “Mustard Seed” of
the Kingdom grows through the following stages:

1At first, people simply ignore the News of the Advent of their promised Redeemer. They
find their security in numbers. They prefer the “wide gate” over the “narrow gate.” No
wonder they are warned:

2destruction, and many enter through it. Christ (Matt. 7:13 NIV)
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try
to enter [the heavenly kingdom] and will not be able to. Christ (Luke 13:24 NIV)
Most people look up to their religious leaders. They think that they are the first to enter
the Kingdom of Heaven. But this is a grave misjudgment. History indicates that they are
not the first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the first to deny their promised
Redeemer and to prevent others from entering that Kingdom:
Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.
Christ (Luke 13:30 NIV)
Most people feel so confident in the judgment of their religious leaders, and the majority
who follow them, that they refuse to pay any attention to the news of the Advent of their
Redeemer. They place more trust in the religious establishment than in the clear and
emphatic instructions of their own Redeemer—instructions such as:
I shall come upon you like a thief… Christ (Rev. 3:3 NEB)
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
Luke 12:37 NIV
That is the day when I come like a thief! Happy the man who stays awake…
Christ (Rev. 16:15 NEB)
Be on the alert… Christ (Luke 21:36 NEB)
Do not let him find you sleeping. Christ (Mark 13:36 NIV)
Take ye heed, watch and pray… Christ (Mark 13:33)
Unto them that look for him [Christ] shall he appear the second time… Hebrews 9:28
What does the word “watch” teach us? That we must pay attention. Why and when do
we pay attention or fail to pay attention? Suppose you are watching the news and you
hear something that relates to your self-interests. You suddenly focus your attention. You
do not want to miss a word. Suppose the next item on the news does not relate to your
personal needs or interests. What happens next? The mode of your attention suddenly
changes into inattention. Jesus’ instructions show that the news of His coming will be of
this kind—the kind that would not draw the believer’s attention. They would readily
ignore it, because it fails to fit their expectations.
The peoples of the world are fast asleep. Were they to wake from their slumber, they
would hasten with eagerness unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They would
cast away everything they possess, be it all the treasures of the earth, that their Lord
may remember them to the extent of addressing to them but one word.1 Bahá’u’lláh
Ponder the meaning of the following prophecy expressed as a parable. It predicts that the
believers will fail to take notice of the invitations they receive to attend the Kingdom of
Heaven:
“The kingdom of Heaven” he said, is like a King who arranged a wedding for His son.
He sent His servant to summon [people]…but they refused to come…Here is My

3but few are chosen. Christ (Matt. 22:1-14)
Jesus taught the same message still through another parable. Once again people were
invited to a banquet. How did they respond? They offer excuses not to attend:
A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of
the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for
everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses.
Christ (Luke 14:16-18 NIV)
The Dawn hath broken, yet the people understand not. Bahá’u’lláh
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Christ (John 1:5 NIV)
Let us now move to the next stage in the growth of the Seed of the Kingdom.

1As time goes on, a few believers begin to “watch,” to take notice of the “narrow gate,”
and to investigate the News of the advent of their promised Redeemer. This stage is often
quite brief, but leads to dramatic consequences. It attracts the attention of the religious
establishment.

1pattern:
You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not
persecute? Acts 7:51-52 NIV
Woe to you, teachers of the law [religious leaders] and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, “If
we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in
shedding the blood of the prophets.” Christ (Matt. 23:29-30 NIV)
When God’s great Messengers appear, people live in spiritual darkness. They are not
more saintly than their religious leaders:
What an unbelieving and perverse generation! Christ (Matt. 17:17 NEB)

2perturbation that hath seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or
tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though the world is encompassed
with misery and distress, yet no man hath paused to reflect what the cause or source of
that may be. Whenever the True Counsellor uttered a word in admonishment, lo, they
all denounced Him as a mover of mischief and rejected His claim. How bewildering,
how confusing is such behaviour! No two men can be found who may be said to be
outwardly and inwardly united. The evidences of discord and malice are apparent
everywhere, though all were made for harmony and union.3 Bahá’u’lláh
Behold, how the divers peoples and kindreds of the earth have been waiting for the
coming of the Promised One. No sooner had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been made
manifest, than, lo, all turned away from Him, except them whom God was pleased to
guide.4 Bahá’u’lláh
But persecution serves an opposite purpose: It draws attention to the ones persecuted.

1As time goes on, people begin to “watch,” to take notice of the growth and spread the
new seed of the Kingdom. This may be the present stage in the evolution of the Bahá’í
Faith. Persecution of the believers in the land of its origin has contributed immensely to
the growth of the Bahá’í Faith. This stage usually lasts a long time, sometimes a few
centuries. Just like the growth of Christianity, it may take three centuries before the
Bahá’í Faith reaches its fifth and final stage.

1history of Christianity, this stage arrived after the lapse of three centuries.
This final stage is marked by euphoria and excitement. People celebrate the news of the
Advent of the new Messenger. For they see that the Mustard Seed of the heavenly
Kingdom has finally produced its luscious fruits. They feel proud to be a member of the
new Faith and are amazed at the blindness of previous generations, who could not see
“the light of the world” (John 9:5). History once again repeats itself. Once again, people
say:

2them in shedding the blood of the prophets. Christ (Matt. 23:30 NIV)
As we can see, the seed of the Kingdom does not suddenly turn into a fruitful tree. We
must be patient, and in the meantime play a part in nurturing this seed. Whatever role we
choose to assume—whether we take part or remain complacent—God’s Plan will become
a reality. The seed will grow and produce its fruits at the appointed time.
The day is approaching when God will have exalted His Cause and magnified His
testimony in the eyes of all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth.5
Bahá’u’lláh
Ere long, thine eyes will behold the standards of divine power unfurled throughout all
regions, and the signs of His triumphant might and sovereignty manifest in every
land.6 Bahá’u’lláh

Part Ii

1Bahá’u’lláh

1A purpose of this series is to introduce Bahá’u’lláh—the Glory of God—to the
western world. He is the One promised in all Scriptures. He has come to
establish the heavenly Kingdom both within our soul and without. Only once in
a thousand years a spiritual Figure, a Messenger and Redeemer from God,
such as Bahá’u’lláh appears upon the earth. You now have a chance to know
Him, to get a glimpse of His glory—a glory that will in time fill the earth:
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as
the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 NIV
…all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Numbers 14:21

2Bahá’u’lláh: The One Promised
in All Sacred Scriptures
In examining the evidence for the One who has claimed to speak the Word of God, the
most vital questions are these: Who was He? What was He like? How did He live? What
happened to Him? Here are a few features of Bahá’u’lláh’s life, adapted mostly from a
book entitled Some Answered Questions:
Bahá’u’lláh was born in 1817, in Persia, to a rich and noble family. He died in 1892, as a
prisoner and exile in the Holy Land. As an infant, He astonished His parents by His
uniqueness and distinctions. His father related that He would never cry or scream. “You
don’t know,” he said, “what a potential He has, how intelligent He is! He is like a flame
of fire, and in His tender years superior to young people.”1 Bahá’u’lláh’s father was so
captivated by Him that he wrote a piece of poetry in his son’s honor, inscribed it on a
plaque, and hung it on the wall of a summer mansion in which Bahá’u’lláh lived. The
content of the poetry shows that the father sensed the divine destiny of his Son:
When thou enterest the sacred abode of the Beloved say:
“I am at thy command.
This is the home of love; enter with reverence.
This is holy ground; remove thy shoes when
thou enterest here.”2
People were attracted by Bahá’u’lláh’s many distinctions. He did not attend any school,
yet astonished people by His wisdom and knowledge. Even His enemies testified to His
greatness. Great thinkers flocked to His presence, asking Him their most difficult
questions. They said, “This man is unique in all perfections.”
He had an extraordinary power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always
crowded around Him. Ministers and people of the Court would surround Him, and the
children also were devoted to Him. When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old
He became renowned for His learning. He would converse on any subject and solve
any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would…explain intricate
religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest.3
He showed no interest in politics:
When Bahá’u’lláh was twenty two years old, His father died, and the Government
wished Him to succeed to His father’s position in the Ministry…but Bahá’u’lláh did

3not accept the offer. Then the Prime Minister said: “Leave him to himself. Such a
position is unworthy of him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand him,
but I am convinced that he is destined for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like
ours. Let him alone.”4
Bahá’u’lláh was known especially for His generosity and love for the poor:
He was most generous, giving abundantly to the poor. None who came to Him were
turned away. The doors of His house were open to all.5
One day Bahá’u’lláh sent ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His eldest Son, to inspect the work of the
shepherds who were taking care of His sheep. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was a small child at the
time, and the persecutions against Bahá’u’lláh and His family had not yet started.
Bahá’u’lláh then had a good deal of land in the mountains and owned large herds of
sheep. When the inspection was finished and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was ready to leave, the
man who had accompanied Him said, “It is your father’s custom to leave a gift for
each shepherd.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became silent for a while, because He did not have
anything to give them. The man, however, insisted that the shepherds were expecting
something. Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had an idea that made Him very happy! He would give
the shepherds the sheep they were taking care of! Bahá’u’lláh was very much pleased
when He heard about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s generous thoughts towards the shepherds. He
humorously remarked that everyone had better take good care of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
because someday He would give Himself away. Of course, this is exactly what
‘Abdu’l-Bahá did for the rest of His life. He gave everything He had, each and every
moment of His life, to humanity, to unite us and bring us true happiness.6
Bahá’u’lláh was also known for His courage to stand against the powerful who would
abuse their power:
All classes of men marveled at His miraculous success in emerging unscathed from
the most perilous encounters. Nothing short of Divine protection, they thought, could
have ensured His safety on such occasions…In His constant association, during those
days, with the highest dignitaries of the realm…He was never content simply to
accede to the views they expressed or the claims they advanced. He would, at their
gatherings, fearlessly champion the cause of truth, would assert the rights of the
downtrodden, defending the weak and protecting the innocent.7
Bahá’u’lláh spent the early part of His life in the utmost joy and happiness. But He later
became a target of prejudice and persecution. Thousands of fanatical believers rose
against Him. Religious leaders were terrified of losing their power. They said, “This man
intends to destroy religion, law, the nation, and the empire.” (People made the same
accusations against Jesus.) He faced His enemies with the utmost courage, showing no
weakness or fear.
Bahá’u’lláh endured nearly 40 years of imprisonment and exile, yet He never complained.
No human being can imagine the extent of His sufferings. Among His sufferings was
imprisonment in an infamous dungeon in Tihrán, known as the Black Pit or Black
Dungeon, where He was kept for four months. In that dungeon He endured every
conceivable pain and anguish:
• Total darkness: The underground prison had neither lights nor windows.

4• A terrible stench: About 150 of the worst criminals were thrown in that dark, deep,
and damp dungeon with no air circulation or sanitary facilities. The ground was
covered with several inches of filthy mud and mire.
• Hunger and thirst: For the first three days and nights Bahá’u’lláh received neither
food nor water.
• Severe pain and lack of mobility: Bahá’u’lláh’s feet were put in stocks, and on His
neck was placed a chain so heavy that He was unable to hold Himself upright. To
hold the weight of the chain, Bahá’u’lláh had to press His hands against the ground
covered with slime up to His wrists. From the weight of the harsh metal, His neck
became inflamed and injured.
• Little if any sleep: Bahá’u’lláh could hardly sleep under those horrible conditions.
• Lack of clothes: His outer garments were stripped away on His way to the prison.
• Illness: Because of the unsanitary conditions, Bahá’u’lláh suffered grave illness.
• Being poisoned: He also suffered pain from consuming poison placed in His food.
• Homelessness: All His properties were confiscated.
• Loneliness: “During this time none of His friends were able to get access to Him.”8
• Being surrounded by the worst criminals who had little if any hope of survival or
freedom.
• Anxiety about His family: Bahá’u’lláh’s family members, including His young
children, were left at the mercy of fanatical mobs, filled with rage and incited to
seek revenge. (His Son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was then 9 years old.)
• Deep grief and concern for His devoted and distinguished disciples, who were
being hunted down, tortured, and killed by enraged mobs outside the prison.
• Concern about the future: From that prison Bahá’u’lláh was banished to strange
lands. As foretold in a prophecy (Matt. 25:41-46), He became a stranger (an exile).
Never again did He see His homeland.
• Deep sorrow for those who were rejecting God’s choicest blessings and bounties.•
It was in this dungeon that Bahá’u’lláh expressed the first intimations of His Divine
Mission:
One night, in a dream, these exalted words were heard on every side: “Verily, We
shall render Thee victorious by Thyself and by Thy Pen. Grieve Thou not for that
which hath befallen Thee, neither be Thou afraid, for Thou art in safety. Erelong will
God raise up the treasures of the earth—men who will aid Thee through Thyself and
through Thy Name…”9
Bahá’u’lláh repeatedly stated that He spoke only by God’s command, and not of His own
choosing. He declared:
•
The Bible contains numerous prophecies that predict suffering for Jesus in His Second Advent. For a review of
such prophecies, see King of Kings by this author.

5Think ye, O people, that I hold within My grasp the control of God’s ultimate Will and
Purpose? …Had the ultimate destiny of God’s Faith been in Mine hands, I would have
never consented, even though for one moment, to manifest Myself unto you, nor
would I have allowed one word to fall from My lips. Of this God Himself is, verily, a
witness.10
This is but a leaf which the winds of the will of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-
Praised, have stirred. Can it be still when the tempestuous winds are blowing? Nay, by
Him Who is the Lord of all Names and Attributes!11
Bahá’u’lláh’s arrest and imprisonment in that dungeon give us only a glimpse of the
sufferings He endured for nearly 40 years in three different countries. How could anyone
survive the scourge of such unrelenting pressures? How much pain can a human being
endure? Why would God allow the One He loved the most to go through so much
suffering? Did not Jesus endure similar ordeals?
Worldly friends, seeking their own good, appear to love one the other, whereas the
true Friend [Bahá’u’lláh] hath loved and doth love you for your own sakes; indeed He
hath suffered for your guidance countless afflictions. Be not disloyal to such a Friend,
nay rather hasten unto Him.12 Bahá’u’lláh
The religious leaders feared Bahá’u’lláh’s influence, so they had Him exiled to another
land. They thought in a strange land His influence would die out. But the result was that
His charm captivated many more disciples. They exiled Him again and again. The results
were the same—a spreading of His influence. Finally, they sent Him to the worst place
they could find: a prison for murderers and thieves, located in a remote city (‘Akká) with
a dreadful climate and foul water. The sufferings Bahá’u’lláh endured in ‘Akká surpassed
even those He experienced in the Black Dungeon.
Bahá’u’lláh was placed in a barren, filthy room, while His followers were crowded
into another, the floor of which was covered with mud. Ten soldiers were posted to
stand guard over them. To add further to their misery, the exiles, parched from a long
day in the hot sun, soon found that the only water available to them was unfit for
consumption. Mothers were unable to feed their babies, and infants cried for hours…
Under these conditions, all but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Bahá’u’lláh’s Son] and one other, fell
ill. Within a matter of days three men died. The officials denied the prisoners
permission to leave the citadel to bury them, and the guards demanded payment before
removing the bodies. Bahá’u’lláh ordered that His prayer rug, the only item of any
value that He possessed, be sold to cover the cost of the burial. The guards pocketed
the money and buried the men in the clothes in which they died…
Three days after the exiles’ arrival, the Sultán’s edict was read aloud in the mosque. It
sentenced Bahá’u’lláh, His family, and His companions to life imprisonment and
expressly forbade the exiles to associate with one another or with local inhabitants.13
During Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment in ‘Akká, His young son was pacing the roof of the
prison, “wrapped in devotions, when he fell through a skylight. Mortally wounded, his
dying wish to his Father was that his life might be a ransom for those who were
prevented from attaining Bahá’u’lláh’s presence.”14 In a prayer, Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the
sacrifice of His son:

6I have, O my Lord, offered up that which Thou hast given Me, that Thy servants may
be quickened, and all that dwell on earth be united.15
Here Bahá’u’lláh explains why He accepted so much pain and suffering:
The Ancient Beauty [Bahá’u’lláh] hath consented to be bound with chains that
mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a
prisoner…that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its
dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy,
and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the
Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased…that ye may be exalted, and have
suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to
build anew the whole world, behold, how they…have forced Him to dwell within the
most desolate of cities!16
Despite this severe repression, Bahá’u’lláh’s influence continued to spread, His glory
became more evident. From behind prison walls, He triumphed over all His enemies.
For if this idea…is of human origin, it will collapse; but if it is from God, you will
never be able to put them [the believers] down, and you risk finding yourself at war
with God. Acts 5:38-39

7When Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to the Holy Land, those aware of biblical prophecies
suddenly realized what had happened: Bahá’u’lláh’s enemies had, unknowingly, become
the very instruments for the fulfillment of prophecies about Him because the Bible
predicts repeatedly that the Redeemer of the Last Days will come to the Holy Land.
Those who had wished to destroy Him became the means of His triumph. (For a review
of these prophecies and many others, see I Shall Come Again, Lord of Lords, and King
of Kings.)
In 1868, while under arrest, Bahá’u’lláh addressed the kings and rulers of the earth,
asking them to act with justice and to work for peace. With the exception of Queen
Victoria, they ignored His call. He predicted their downfall and His own triumph.
Among these sovereigns was Napoleon III. Bahá’u’lláh asked him to investigate the reason
for His imprisonment. The sovereign did not respond. Bahá’u’lláh sent a second letter,
predicting his downfall. Soon thereafter, in 1870, war between Germany and France
broke out. Everything seemed to be in Napoleon’s favor, yet he was defeated, dishonored,
and debased. According to The Fall of Paris:
History knows of perhaps no more startling instance of what the Greeks called
peripateia, the terrible fall from prideful heights. Certainly no nation in modern times,
so replete with apparent grandeur and opulent in material achievement, has ever been
subjected to a worse humiliation in so short a time.17
Other sovereigns addressed by Bahá’u’lláh encountered similar fates. Every prediction
that Bahá’u’lláh made was fulfilled. These are discussed in a book titled The Prisoner
and the King, by William Sears.
Bahá’u’lláh’s greatness touched even those who did not follow Him. They wrote about
His knowledge, His kindness, and His patience. They flocked to His presence and
marveled at His wondrous works.

8How often would one of His bitter enemies say to himself, “When I see Him, I will argue
with Him and defeat Him in this way…” But when faced with Bahá’u’lláh, he would find
himself speechless—unable to utter a word.
Bahá’u’lláh declared His willingness to be tested. To leave the religious leaders with no
excuse, Bahá’u’lláh said that He was willing to perform any miracle that they requested.
The only condition He set was that, after the miracle was performed, they would
acknowledge the validity of His claim. The religious leaders declined to accept the
condition. (God has always refused requests to perform miracles to prove His power, see
Matt. 4:7. We cannot be sure why Bahá’u’lláh accepted this request. Perhaps one reason
was that He knew it would be rejected.)
Bahá’u’lláh demonstrated His dependence on the divine and detachment from worldly
desires by associating with the poor and the humble and avoiding the powerful and the
pompous. A notable figure wanted to meet Bahá’u’lláh. But to be seen with Bahá’u’lláh
meant danger. He sent a message asking to meet with Him secretly. In response,
Bahá’u’lláh sent him a piece of poetry to this effect: “Unless you have a desire to
sacrifice your life, don’t come here. This is the way if you wish to meet Bahá. If you are
unprepared for this journey, don’t come, and don’t bring trouble.” The man dared not take
the risk of endangering his life and declined.
For nearly 50 years Bahá’u’lláh faced bitter enemies who killed thousands of His
followers, yet failed to destroy Him. Repeatedly they planned and plotted against Him,
but to no avail.
Are these marks of distinction not similar to those found in the life of Jesus?

1Without any Doubt—that
a Religion Comes from God?

2By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from
thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good

3Bahá’í Proofs
The best way we can become certain of the divine origin of a religion is to look at the
scientific model, to learn how scientists discover and verify scientific truths. For, there is
absolute harmony between science and religion. One truth cannot contradict another.
There is also a remarkable harmony between the methods that can test the validity of both
religious and scientific truths.
Our Creator has given us many potentialities such as the ability to reason, to understand,
and to discover. Should we not depend on these gifts in every facet of our life? “Let us
reason together, says the Lord (Isa. 1:18). “Test everything” (I Thess. 5:21). If we fail to
depend on these gifts, what else do we have to guide us?
To discover the truth—whether scientific or religious—we must take three steps. We

The Scientific Model

The Three Stages Of
Scientific Discoveries

1To become worthy of attention, a claim or a concept must make sense; it must seem
reasonable. For instance, we know by reasoning alone that “junk food” is unhealthy. Yet
we cannot be absolutely sure. Our knowledge, at this stage, is only subjective. We cannot
claim that our theory is proven until we have found objective evidence to support it, until
it has passed the next essential test.

1At this stage, we conduct a scientific study to see if what seems to be true is indeed true.
To test our theory and reach a definite conclusion, we select and compare two large
groups of people with different diets—“junk food” versus “healthy food”—to see if there
is any significant difference between them in terms of health and longevity. The result of

2if the consequences of the two diets differed widely can we conclude that we have proven
our theory. This is the most essential and critical phase of our scientific study. We may
disregard or omit the first phase, but not this one.

1In the final phase of our study, we try to find known individuals who would provide
specific examples of what we have already discovered to be true by scientific methods.
Our observation of specific cases reinforces our certainty. This will provide us with direct
or first-hand experience.
Testing a concept or a theory by taking it through the preceding three stages, provides an
excellent model for investigating the truth—whether scientific or religious.
Let us now see how we can apply this same model to religion, to our spiritual health and
longevity, to the most significant decision we must ever make: determining the origin of
the religion we choose to follow, discovering whether it comes from the awesome and
majestic Mind of our Creator, or from the fallible and feeble mind of a human being.

The Three Stages Of
Religious Discoveries

1God’s plan for humankind in the past? Has He been passive or proactive? Has He been
silent, or has He spoken through His great Messengers to guide us, to lead us to His
Presence? Would He ever change His plan? Would the Creator ever abandon His
creation? Just by reasoning alone, we can conclude that a loving God would never remain
silent, would never fail to guide humankind when they need His guidance. These
questions and concepts pertain to our subjective knowledge of God. They help us
formulate a reasonable theory, a fair assumption or expectation.

1At this stage, the most critical and essential question we must ask is this: Who designates
the proofs or the standards of distinction for the great Messengers and Redeemers? Who
but God Himself—the One who sends them? Has any human being the authority or the
wisdom to designate these standards?
Thus when we hear about the advent of a new Messenger, it is absolutely essential to test
Him by the proofs and standards designated by the One who sends the Messengers to us,
and no other.

1Messengers—prophecies that could not and would not come true in the life of any other
person, either by choice or by chance. Would prophecies be of any value if imposters
could apply them to themselves—relate them to their lives?
The fulfillment of many specific prophecies in the life of a Messenger presents a clear
and conclusive proof of His divine origin. Would God allow anyone to abuse the signs of
His guidance? Would an imposter be allowed to succeed in his scheme? Would he be left
alone to “steal” the divine directions for an opposite purpose: to mislead people to the
path of perdition, away from God? To do so would be sheer injustice. It would also imply
that an evil creature has triumphed over his Creator.

1new Messenger by His fulfillment of prophecies—believers who also demonstrate by
example—by their wisdom and noble deeds and character—the dramatic transformation
they have experienced as a result of their newly-found faith. The presence of such
believers further confirms what we have already discovered to be true. This is the third
and final phase of our search for truth.
Passing a claim through the preceding tests or stages—according to the specific standards
or marks of distinction designated by God—such as fulfilled prophecy—completely
protects us from misjudgment. This model or method of investigation is absolutely error-
proof. Scientific studies rely on this same model. Our scientific achievements testify to its
reliability.
How valuable are prophecies as a guide to the divine origin of God’s Messengers and
Redeemers? As a proof, they are unique—unlike any other—because they are entirely
immune to abuse by imposters. They may be regarded even as the most conclusive and
irrefutable evidence of the Messengers’ divine origin. Let us see why they enjoy such a
unique distinction:

2imposter who has been able to take advantage of prophecies to establish a new
independent religion. This is a remarkable record. It points to God’s foreknowledge
and supreme wisdom.
• Practical evidence: It is absolutely impossible for anyone to apply even a few
specific prophecies to the events of his life, either by choice or by chance.
• The evidence of divine justice: It is contrary to divine justice to allow a liar to
establish a new religion and, in the name of God, mislead many people by diverting
the signs of divine guidance for an opposite purpose. All those who have tried have
eventually discredited themselves by their own words and deeds. Consider this
example: Would you expect to buy a house and then discover that the official
documents that testify to your ownership are fictitious? Even our government
would not allow such a deception, how much less the One who created us.
• The evidence of divine power and authority: Allowing an imposter to succeed in
his abuse of prophecies would lead us to an impossible assumption: God’s lack of
wisdom and authority. The failure to prevent such an injustice would imply that a
deceiver has triumphed and God has been defeated.
To demonstrate the remarkable power and distinction of prophecy as a definitive proof,
and to demonstrate how it is impossible to abuse it, let me cite a personal experience.
Sometime ago, two well-dressed young men came to my house to teach me about their
religion. I told them: “Prophecy is a conclusive proof of a true Prophet. Show me one
specific prophecy from the Bible about your Prophet.” The two visitors looked at me with
utter surprise. They were speechless. They could not cite even a single prophecy to
validate their claim! Instead, they showed me a book that their prophet has added to the
Bible. They claimed that it was as authentic as the rest of the Scriptures. But when I
asked them again for a few examples of fulfilled prophecy, they had nothing to say.
Imposters can imitate the Scriptures, but can they make the prophecies of those Scriptures
to come true in their lives?
How did that particular prophet—the one the two visitors were promoting—succeed in
attracting millions of followers? He resorted to the same strategy others like him have
used. He took advantage of people’s fascination with miracles. He laid claims to miracles,
without presenting any evidence, and then linked his own writings to those miracles to
validate his writings. The motivation to believe in his words came from the awesome
powers of his presumed miracles. Once he convinced people to believe in his
supernatural powers, he had won his battle and their hearts. People were ready to accept
anything he would say. At first he convinced a few gullible listeners. Those few attracted
other simple-minded people like themselves. More followers joined the crowd. They did
not think to ask the most critical question: God always offers specific signs concerning
the coming of His future Messengers. Where are the signs concerning this prophet?
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants
the prophets. Amos 3:7 NIV

1the Bahá’í Faith
The prophecies that predict the Advent of the Bahá’í Faith have no parallel in religious
history. If we combine all the prophecies about the previous religions, they would look
like a drop compared to the vast ocean of prophecies that predict the Advent of the Bahá’í
Faith. I have had the honor of writing a six-volume series concerning Biblical prophecies.
Three volumes of the set have already been published.
Should not these books be a part of every Christian college and seminary? Of course,
they should be! How can knowledge harm anyone? The first volume—I Shall Come
Again—was sent to over 200 seminaries with the option to receive the other two. It is not
known for sure how many of them included the book in their collection. What we can be
sure is this: we received only one request for the next two volumes! The seminaries are
responsible for preparing their students for the Return of their Redeemer. Yet they refused
to accept a gift of three books for their libraries concerning the evidence of His Return!
The three published volumes have been introduced as a reference for further study in
several books. Let me introduce them once again for those who have not heard about
them.

I Shall Come
Again

1522 pages

1Second Advent? No wonder so many 19th century scholars discovered this same date. Did
you also know that all those 16 prophecies point to the same year: 1844? Bahá’ís believe
that the promise of the Second Advent has already been fulfilled, precisely as predicted.
Christ did return in 1844, “like a thief,” in a way that the News of His coming did not
draw much attention. And as the Book of Revelation predicts, God gave Him a new
name: Bahá’u’lláh, meaning the Glory of God.
Obviously we expect you to be very skeptical, but we invite you to stay spiritually awake,
to “watch,” to pay close attention, and to investigate this most glorious News. How can
you do this? Start your search by examining the evidence presented in I Shall Come
Again, the first of a six-volume series on the fulfillment of biblical prophecies by
Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God.
I Shall Come Again, written after three decades of research, takes you step by step
through 16 prophecies that point to 1844, and hundreds of other prophecies, concerning
the return of Christ. It proves how these prophecies, without exception, were fulfilled by
Bahá’u’lláh (the Glory of God) and His martyred Herald, the Báb (the Gate), who
appeared in 1844. I Shall Come Again is one of the most fascinating books of our time.
If you have faith in God’s promises and a desire to know the truth, you will receive
incomparable joy and hope from reading it.

2of fulfilled prophecies. Christian scholars often regard Hebrew prophecies as the most
conclusive and convincing evidence of Jesus’ divine Mission.
Let us consider a statement from Dr. Norman Geisler, president of Southern Evangelical
Seminary, “who has published countless articles in academic journals and has authored
over fifty books, including Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics.” Dr. Geisler
makes the following statement concerning the prophecies that point to the First Advent of
Jesus:
Some have suggested…that the prophecies were accidentally fulfilled in Jesus. In other
words, he happened to be in the right place at the right time…If there is a God who is
in control of the universe, as we have said, then chance is ruled out. Furthermore, it is
unlikely that these events would have converged in the life of one man.
Mathematicians have calculated the probability of 16 predictions being fulfilled in one
man at 1 in 10 …
But it is not just a logical improbability that rules out this theory [of chance]; it is the
moral implausibility of an all-powerful and all-knowing God letting things get out of
control so that all his plans for prophetic fulfillment are ruined by someone who just
happened to be in the right place at the right time. God cannot lie, nor can he break a
promise (Heb. 6:18). So we must conclude that he did not allow his prophetic
promises to be thwarted by chance. All the evidence points to Jesus as the divinely
appointed fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. He was God’s man confirmed by
God’s signs. In brief, if God made the predictions to be fulfilled in the life of Christ,
then he would not allow them to be fulfilled in the life of any other. The God of truth
would not allow a lie to be confirmed as true.
Imagine if the News of the Return of Jesus is true and you choose not to investigate
and not to know Him! Imagine also if the News of His Return is true and your
investigation leads you to recognize Him!
I shall come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.
Christ (John 14:3)
“He, verily, is come with His Kingdom, and all the atoms cry aloud: ‘Lo! The Lord
is come in His great majesty!’” “Behold how He hath come down from the heaven
of His grace, girded with power and invested with sovereignty. Is there any doubt

Lord Of
Lords

1634 pages

1the Bahá’í Faith—the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—as well as Shoghi Effendi (the
Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith), the Universal House of Justice (the supreme administrative

2teachings, and the Book of Bahá’í Laws (The Kitáb-i-Aqdas).
Lord of Lords presents six fulfillments for Daniel’s prophecy of 1335, and shows their
connection to the Bahá’í Faith. The book also presents 86 similarities between Jesus and
the Báb, who is called “One like a Son of Man.”
Christian scholars often apply the statistical laws to the prophecies of Hebrew Scriptures
to prove the divine station of Jesus. Lord of Lords applies the same laws to the
prophecies of both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures to prove the divine station of the Báb
and Bahá’u’lláh.
Lord of Lords shows that the probability of biblical prophecies coming true in the Bahá’í
Faith by chance alone is about 1 in 1080. The number 1080 is equal to the number of atoms
in the known universe! What does this evidence indicate? It indicates that if anyone
could pick a specific atom in the universe by chance, he could then claim that the
biblical prophecies fulfilled in the Bahá’í Faith also happened by chance! The proof
presented in this volume is so compelling it can convince even the most skeptic seeker!
…the desire of all nations shall come… Haggai 2:7

3He who is the Desired One is come in His transcendent majesty…Better is this for
you than all ye possess. Bahá’u’lláh (the Glory of God)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father… Christ (Matt. 16:27)
I have come in the shadows of the clouds of glory, and am invested by God with

King Of
Kings

1510 pages

1prophecies concerning the advent of the Bahá’í Faith. Four of its chapters show that,
contrary to what most people —both Christians and Jews—believe, the Bible predicts
suffering and severe persecution for the Redeemer of our time. King of Kings also
presents many prophecies, in the course of two chapters, to show that according to both
Testaments, the title of the Redeemer of our age (known to Christians as the Second
Coming of Christ and to the Jews as the Messiah) is “the Glory of God,” the English
translation of the original title “Bahá’u’lláh.”
A chapter discusses the many reasons why people deny and persecute their promised
Messenger and Redeemer in every age, and then later claim that if they had lived at the
time of His Advent they would not be among the deniers!
Many Christians expect the coming of the Antichrist. King of Kings presents two
chapters to show the fulfillment of this expectation by two deceptive figures who

2Him and establish themselves as the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith.
I Shall Come Again, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings prove that once again God has
spoken to humanity, that He has fulfilled His promises, and has manifested His great
glory and power by sending two supreme Messengers and Redeemers—Bahá’u’lláh, and
His martyred Herald, the Báb—to guide our bewildered world to unity, peace, and
justice, and to lead our wandering souls to His heavenly Mansions. Not investigating this
Message of hope and fulfillment is to deprive yourself of the very source of all wisdom
and the very purpose of coming to this world.
I have come down from heaven… Christ (John 6:38)
Say, God is my witness! The Promised One Himself [Bahá’u’lláh] hath come down
from heaven…with the hosts of revelation on His right, and the angels of inspiration
on His left…1 Bahá’u’lláh (the Glory of God)
Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake… Christ (Rev. 16:15)
The peoples of the world are fast asleep. Were they to wake from their slumber, they
would hasten with eagerness unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.2 Bahá’u’lláh
Blessed the slumberer who is awakened…3 Blessed the ear that hath heard, and the
eye that hath seen, and the heart that hath turned unto Him…4
Bahá’u’lláh (the Glory of God)

3Would anyone ever be misled if he depended on God’s designated standards? This would
be absolutely impossible.
People have been misled, throughout all ages, because they failed to depend on God’s
definitive standards. Instead, they have followed a totally unreliable, unauthorized, and
deceptive strategy: unproven or fictitious miracles. The following statement from Jesus is
a guiding light for all true believers and seekers of truth:
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and
miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead
of time. Matthew 24:24-25 NIV
Never did Jesus say: Many will be misled by prophecies. In fact, He put His seal of
approval on prophecies by applying them to Himself:
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] explained to them what
was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27 NIV
To conclude, prophecy in itself is a conclusive proof of the divine origin of God’s
Messengers.
I testify, O my God, that this is the Day whereon Thy testimony hath been fulfilled,
and Thy clear tokens have been manifested, and Thine utterances have been
revealed, and Thy signs have been demonstrated, and the radiance of Thy
countenance hath been diffused, and Thy proof hath been perfected…5 Bahá’u’lláh

4promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled.6
Bahá’u’lláh
But prophecy is only one part of a unique prophetic profile of the divine distinctions
bestowed on great Messengers and Redeemers. Let us look at some of the marks of
distinction in Bahá’u’lláh’s life:
• Bahá'u'lláh persisted in His claim to the end, without making the slightest
compromise.
• He endured every conceivable adversity, humiliation, and pain for half a century with
superhuman resolve, composure, and constancy.
• He revealed scriptures for 40 years with no contradictions or changes of mind.
• He spiritualized and raised the ethical standards of His followers, who were from
every race, creed, and culture.
• He revealed teachings extolled by some of the great thinkers of this century.
• He unified millions of people from diverse races, religions, and cultures.
• He wrote the equivalent of 100 volumes, without research or revision.
• He revealed principles that harmonize religious and scientific truths—a task beyond
the reach of the ablest thinkers.
• He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies with perfect precision, including at least
biblical references pointing to the beginning date of the dawning of the new Day:
1844.
• He lived a life pure, divine, and noble, far beyond the reach of any human being.
• He made predictions that have come true.
• He established a Faith that, despite constant and severe persecution, has endured and
preserved its unity for a century and a half.
Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Christ (Matthew 15:13)
When we look at all the preceding signs of distinction, an infinitely superior Image
emerges—a Profile of Absolute Perfection—a Profile that no human being, however
clever or skilled in the arts of deception, can imitate. When we investigate the Truth in
the light of God’s standards of distinction, we suddenly see and recognize the One sent by
God as readily and distinctly as the sun. How would an imposter appear against the
splendor and brilliance of the sun? No more than the smoke of a candle at the mercy of
the wind.
Many people assume that it is difficult to recognize a Messenger from God. They fail to
ponder this most obvious and enlightening question: How can there be any similarity—
even the slightest—between the divine and the deceptive? What comparison is there
between the signs, the wonders, and the powers of the One who created the universe—a
hundred billion galaxies—in an instant, and the deceptive efforts of a pathetic, ignorant,
and evil imposter who plots against God by trying to replace His Supreme Will and

5can anyone who observes the following two “Rules of Wisdom” fail in his search for
truth?
• Relying on his or her own ability to think, to strive, to search, to reason, and to
understand.
• Unwavering dependence on the specific standards of distinction designated by God
for His Messengers.
How can any seeker who follows the preceding rules not be able to tell the difference
between what God creates, and what an evil and pathetic human being produces? How
can he fail to distinguish the Divine from deceptive as clearly even as he can distinguish

1are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes
from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but
a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear
good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Christ (Matt. 7:15-20 NIV)
How can we safeguard our spiritual health? How can we protect our soul from deception?
We can do so only by being loyal to God, by pursuing His roadmap, by depending on His
authorized standards, and no other.
We know there have been many false prophets in the world. How do they succeed? Have
you ever examined their strategies? Have you known anyone who has exposed their
schemes? Exposing their schemes is of the utmost significance. It can prove valuable in
two ways:
• It has the potential to minimize such plots in the future.
• It can enlighten the true seekers and protect them against deception.
A critical study of the strategies used throughout all ages by deceptive people reveals the
following two strategies:
• First, instead of establishing a new independent religion, they take advantage of
the authority of an established religion to generate a new branch, denomination, or
sect under the umbrella of that recognized religion. Why do they resort to this
strategy? Because it is much easier—perhaps a million times—to appeal to people’s
deeply rooted loyalty to an already established belief system than to try to generate
an entirely new loyalty by claiming that God has called them to establish a new
independent religion.
• As stated earlier, they know very well that they cannot succeed in their scheme if
they use God-given standards. Invariably they search for a substitute. What have
they found to their liking? What standard or evidence do they know simple-minded

2same: fictitious miracles. Why? Because this approach just like the previous one
(starting a denomination rather than a new religion), is easy to plot and perform. If
you have any doubts, ask your favorite magician! Countless millions have been,
and still are being misled, by this approach.
Thus, if the believers remain loyal to God, if they obey Him by depending only on His
standards, they can never be misled. To allow loyal believers—who obey the rules—to
be deceived would be sheer injustice. Therefore, the sole reason false prophets prosper is
that people disobey God. They fail to depend on His roadmap. What can we expect if we
build a house on sand?
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is
like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams
rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Christ (Matt. 7:26-27 NIV)
Why did Jesus say: “Beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15)? Did He intend to instill fear
and avoidance, or did He intend to teach caution and prudence? His purpose was to make
us aware of warning signs, just as blinking lights draw our attention. His purpose was not
to stop us in our track with fear, but rather to send us this message: “Proceed with
caution. Continue the journey of spiritual growth and search for truth, but be aware of
pitfalls.” Our Creator wants us neither to be gullible nor closed-minded, neither believe in
everything we hear without evidence, nor be fearful and suspicious. In fact, He
commands us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God ” (I John 4:1).
Caution and courage are intimate and intertwined virtues. To be cautious means to be
critical, prudent, and wise. The warnings against deceivers should not overcome our
sense of courage. They should not control and command our hearts and minds. They
should only remind us to remain watchful, critical, and prudent. For instance, we fear
criminals, but do we always imprison ourselves behind metal guards? Do we keep our
doors locked to everyone who knocks? No, we pay attention to the voice of the one who
knocks.
God made our souls pure and responsive to His voice. If we preserve our purity, by our
spiritual instinct alone, we know the voice of our true Shepherd:
When he [a true shepherd] has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them,
and his sheep follow him because THEY KNOW HIS VOICE. But they will never follow a
stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a
stranger’s voice…I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know
me. Christ (John 10:4-5, 14 NIV)
It is absolutely essential to listen to “the voice” of Bahá’u’lláh: to read His Words.
Many examples and references are provided at the end of this book.
What about the Antichrist? This term has two meanings: general, and specific. In general,
it refers to anyone who denies the divine station of Jesus Christ:
Who is the liar? Who but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is the
Antichrist. I John 2:22

3crucified, the entire universe “wept with a great weeping.”7 He glorified Jesus to an
extent no one has done before. He called Him by such supreme titles as the Spirit of God,
and the Lord of the visible and invisible.
Therefore I make known to you that…no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by
the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 12:3 NKJ
The Antichrist has also a specific meaning. It refers to a figure who falsely shows himself
to be God (II Thess. 2:3-4). Unknown to many Christians, Jesus also warned us against
this same figure in Matt. 24:26-28. Such a figure did indeed appear along with an
instigator and supporter. They repeatedly planned and plotted together against
Bahá’u’lláh. But their efforts were in vain. Many prophecies both in the Old and New
Testaments refer to them.
The man who falsely claimed a divine station is known as Azal. He was a perfect contrast
to Bahá’u’lláh in every way imaginable. For instance, Bahá’u’lláh, in spite of thousands
of enemies around Him, never concealed Himself. He astonished His enemies by
appearing in public without any fear. He was as visible as “the lightning that comes from
the east and flashes to the west” (Matt. 24:26-28). In contrast, Azal always concealed
himself “out in the desert” or “in the inner rooms” (Matt. 24:26-28). King of Kings
presents a long chapter about Azal and his instigator, and a detailed description of the
many prophecies they fulfilled.
The fear of the Antichrist is one more obstacle that prevents many Christians from
looking into the Bahá’í Faith. It is a justified fear, but is carried to extremes. The purpose
of the warnings is not to make people prisoners in their churches. Our Creator despises
the fearful and promises to punish them severely (Rev. 21:8). He knows unjustified fear

1of a new independent religion from God? Can you think of any other standard, any other
sign or evidence other than the ones cited? No, there is none. Dependence on any
standards other than those designated by the One who selects and sends Messengers to
us, will surely mislead us. Without question, it will turn us away from the truth. Can we
reach the desired city if we follow the wrong roadmap? This rule is so simple, so obvious,
and so reasonable, and yet many seekers disregard it without ever pondering its perilous
consequences.
How do many believers, even among the sincere ones, approach this most critical
decision in their lives? How do they choose their everlasting destiny? What steps do they
take to test a new independent religion from God? What do they generally do when they
hear this most joyful news: the Advent of a great Messenger from God? Incredible as it
may seem, most of them do nothing! Their common approach is to remain passive, to
take no action, to take the easy path—of least resistance—the one followed by those near
and dear to them (their parents and close relatives), the one chosen by most people
around them (such as members of their church or synagogue), the broad path:

2to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road
that leads to life, and only a few find it. Christ (Matt. 7:13-14 NIV)
Let us now review a list of what most believers—whatever their religion—do or fail to
do, a list of their common approaches to the most far-reaching decision in their lives: the
news of the Advent of a new Messenger from God. Suppose we invited 100 believers
from each of the following four religions: Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islám to
investigate the Bahá’í Faith—the News of the greatest event in human history—the
Advent of a new independent Faith, a Faith that has come to lead us to God and to
transform our divided planet into a place of peace and prosperity. How would those
invited guests respond to our invitation? What would they say? What would they think?
What would be their feelings?
Many of them would simply feel uneasy and defensive. Some of them would regard our
invitation as an insult. They would search for an easy way to avoid an undesirable
invitation. Suppose they were pressed for a response. What would they say to us? What
would they say to themselves? Please list a few responses before reading the ones listed
below:

3Here are some examples of responses they might express. Let us call them “courtesy
responses:”
• Thank you, I am really busy. I don’t have the time.
• Thank you! I hope I will have time in the future to look into it.
Let us also see how they would feel concerning this unwelcome invitation? What would
possibly go through their minds? Here are some possibilities:
• I am a loyal Christian. How can I abandon my Faith?
• My parents have taught me to be a loyal Jew, Buddhist, Christian, or Muslim. How
can I abandon what they have given me? How could I be disloyal to my synagogue,
temple, church, or mosque? How could I be so disloyal to my parents?
• There are so many deceivers out there, how can I trust anyone? It is much safer to
stay where I am. Why waste my time taking such a chance?
• Nothing can be better than what I already believe.
• It is none of my business to learn about a new religion. I already have my own.
• I love my church—the pastor, the members, and the music.

4If a new Messenger comes from God, he will surely let me know.
The kind of responses people would use to excuse themselves from accepting the
unwelcomed invitation have been predicted by Jesus in several of His parables. The
following is one of them:
A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of
the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for
everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I
have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I
have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse
me.’ Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ The servant came back
and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry…Then the
master told his servant, ‘…not one of those men who were invited [but failed to come]
will get a taste of my banquet.’ Christ (Luke 14:16-24 NIV)
The preceding is a list of the ways most believers—as many as 99 percent of them—
adopt and pursue to reject God’s most glorious gift to them! How amazing! How
incredible! Their approach and their way of judgment provides us with the answer to a
critical question, and teaches us a valuable lesson: We learn why, during all ages, people
have rejected the Messengers that God has sent to guide them and lead them to
everlasting life—sincere believers who never expected to be counted among
disbelievers—the ones who would deny their Redeemer.
What lesson can their failure and their negligence teach us? What lesson can the response
of those 400 religious leaders teach us? It can teach us the following lesson, and awaken
us to the dangers of falling into this invisible trap: That it is easy to remain complacent,
negligent, and passive, because the one caught in it is totally unaware of the state of his
soul, of the grave consequences of his apathy. The state of his soul can be compared to a
sleeper resting peacefully in his room, while his house is on fire—without ever
suspecting that by the time he wakes up and detects the fire, it will be too late. Yes, this
life is a dream, and death is the wake-up call.
What is the healing remedy to apathy and complacency? Its prime antidote is an
abundance of proactive virtues—such as fervor, courage, awareness, and initiative. Only
these virtues can rescue a soul from the trap of being unaware of its unawareness! Only
these virtues can awaken a sleeping soul, can make it aware and watchful. The rescue
plan was given long ago by the One who promised to return and once again save the
world:
That is the day when I come like a thief! Happy the man who stays awake…
Christ (Rev. 16:15 NEB)
But here is the problem: The sleeper is enjoying his dreams. He does not want to wake
up, and would feel angry and upset if anyone tried to disturb his dreams!
Jesus was well aware of the prevailing state of apathy in the end-times. He used harsh
words to awaken those caught in this trap. The following parable is addressed to such
believers, to those who fail to be proactive, who fail to devote their God-given talents to
the most urgent task at hand: paying attention to the news of His return:

5his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and
to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work
and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the
man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his
master's money.
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said,
“you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied,
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will
put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” The man
with the two talents also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents;
see, I have gained two more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things. Come and share your master's happiness!”
Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that
you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you
have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.
See, here is what belongs to you. His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So
you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that
when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him
and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever
does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless
servant outside, into the darkness [hell], where there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.” Christ (Matt. 25:14-30 NIV)
See also Rev. 21:7-8
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the
thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be

The Difference Between

1God’s Messengers and

1philosophers. They believe that the two groups are comparable in wisdom and
knowledge. They cite examples such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama,
Plato, and Aristotle.

2wishers think they are doing them a favor, wishing to pay them a tribute. Although they
mean well, they fail to ponder the serious implications of their kindness and good-will.
They fail to recognize that by making such a comparison, they do just the opposite of
what they intend. Because their assumption implies that the divine Messengers simply
made up some verses and claimed that they came from God. This, of course, is precisely
what a “false prophet” does. Well-wishers who make such a comparison should be asked:
How could such a deceiver—a false prophet—be placed on a par with a wonderful
reformer like Gandhi or a great philosopher like Plato? These famous figures did not lie
about their mission. They did not claim that their words and their wisdom came directly
from God.
In general, those who compare the divine Messengers with major historical figures have
other more deeply-rooted doubts or misconceptions:
• They may declare that they believe in God, but they fail to realize that the true
knowledge of God comes to us only from the great Messengers, not from famous
reformers or philosophers. God is like the sun, the Messengers are the mirrors that
reflect His light to all others—including to the great historical figures.
• Such skeptics often have difficulty believing in a loving God who would at times
communicate with humankind.
• They also have difficulty believing in a God who would choose an uneducated
ordinary being, and make Him the recipient of His supreme Knowledge—a
Knowledge infinitely greater than that of all the reformers and philosophers who
have lived or will ever live.
Consider Jesus. He was poor and uneducated. His knowledge came only from God.
Without guidance from God, He was totally helpless. He said:
By myself I can do nothing… Christ (John 5:30 NIV)
Consider also Bahá’u’lláh. In an Epistle to the king of Persia, He wrote:
This is but a leaf which the winds of the will of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-
Praised, have stirred. Can it be still when the tempestuous winds are blowing? Nay,
by Him Who is the Lord of all Names and Attributes!8 Bahá’u’lláh
The great reformers and philosophers did not make such a claim. Their knowledge was
acquired, not innate.
Let us consider another difference between the divine Messengers and major historical
figures. The advent of every Messenger is predicted by those who came before Him.
Consider the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, the latest Manifestations from God. Hundreds of
prophecies from past Scriptures predict many events of their life and their Revelation. At
least 16 prophecies from the Bible point to the year 1844, the time of the Báb’s Advent
(see I Shall Come Again). There is not even a single prophecy about any one of those
other historical figures. This distinction alone would be sufficient to make any
comparison between the two groups totally irrelevant. By disregarding prophecies from
the sacred Scriptures, even if unaware of doing so, the skeptics would have to consider

3in making any comparison between God’s Messengers and famous historical figures.
To understand the uniqueness and greatness of God’s Messengers, we must recognize that
creation exists on three separate levels, and in three separate worlds or domains:
1. The world of God, which is infinitely beyond human level.
2. The world of the great Messengers or Mediators, which serves as a link or a
bridge between God and humankind. This domain is also infinitely beyond human
level.
3. The world of humankind, which is the recipient of divine knowledge through the
great Messengers.
No human being, however eminent or educated, can even approach the second domain—
one exclusively granted to the great Messengers. The preceding three worlds or levels are
as far apart from each other as infinity. If all the reformers and philosophers who have
ever lived and will ever live, combined their learning, it would be a mere drop compared
to the vast ocean of knowledge bestowed by God on His great Messengers and Teachers.
The recognition of these entirely separate worlds or levels is absolutely essential. They
should be regarded as the very foundation of the spiritual design of creation. Unless we
recognize them and acknowledge them, religion makes no sense, and the God we believe
in will be the God of our own creation, not our Creator.
O ye that judge with fairness! If this Cause is to be denied then what other cause in

1reasoning powers and prevent us from taking initiative?
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Christ (Luke 12:32)
Praying is another antidote to apathy, negligence, and unawareness:
Watch ye therefore, and pray always… Christ (Luke 21:36)
Hold Thou the hand of this seeker who hath set his face towards Thee, O my Lord,
and draw him out of the depths of his vain imaginations, that the light of certainty
may shine brightly above the horizon of his heart…10 Bahá’u’lláh
To conclude: We are fortunate to live at the greatest and most glorious time—a turning
point—in human history. We can choose to be a positive or a passive force in the destiny
of humankind. We can become the builders of a new divine civilization—God’s Kingdom
on earth—or ignore this incomparable grace and honor. By our decision, we can also
shape our everlasting destiny.
According to a prophecy from Daniel, we can choose either “everlasting life” or “shame
and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). What is our guiding light to “everlasting life”?

2virtue of wisdom:
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead
many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3 NIV
Can we gain the gift of wisdom without being “awake” without searching for truth? We
face only two choices. We can:
• Either investigate—while we have a chance—the news of the coming of
Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God, to discover what God has planned for the world and
for each of us.
• Or remain complacent, and without knowing, sleep in the darkness of
unawareness—until the final wake-up call, when it is too late and we have lost the
chance.
Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes
with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.
Christ (Rev. 16:15 NIV)
Be on guard! Be alert!…keep watch…do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to
you, I say to everyone: “Watch!” Christ (Mark 13:33-37 NIV)

1hindered their people from attaining the
shores of eternal salvation…1 Bahá’u’lláh
How vast the number of the learned
who have turned aside from the way of
God and how numerous the men devoid
of learning who have apprehended the
truth and hastened unto Him…2

1Why would the believers persecute the One who comes to grant them the gift of
everlasting life? Why would a patient hurt the physician who comes to heal him? The
only way we can solve this puzzle is to look at the religious establishment, at those who
govern and guide the spiritual life and destiny of the masses of believers. This is what
happens: Those in positions of power are determined to preserve the status quo, because
change threatens their security. The advent of a new Messenger challenges the
establishment. Fearing the loss of their powers, religious leaders arise with all their might
to stop the spread of the new Revelation, to uproot and destroy the newly planted Seed of
the Kingdom. How amazing? Those who are paid to guide the believers to the Kingdom
of heaven arise to mislead them, to prevent them from entering that Kingdom!
The role of religious leaders in misleading their followers has been consistent in the past
and is predicted to remain the same in this age:
In that day…O My people, your leaders will cause you to err, and confuse the
course of your path. Isaiah 3:7, 17 AB
See also Zech 10:2-3
We know how religious leaders responded to Jesus. In this age, their opposition was far
more fierce. By their sanction and encouragement over 20,000 of the new believers were
killed in the most brutal way. To those leaders who persecuted the new believers,
Bahá’u’lláh wrote:
In My name ye have seized the reins of men, and occupy the seats of honor by reason
of your relation to Me. When I revealed Myself, however, ye turned aside, and
committed what hath caused the tears of such as have recognized Me to flow. Erelong
will all that ye possess perish, and your glory be turned into the most wretched
abasement, and ye shall behold the punishment for what ye have wrought, as decreed
by God, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.1
Note how Jesus described the religious leaders of His age:
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the [religious] law
and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they
tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They
tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not

2place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love
to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them “Rabbi.”…Woe to you,
teachers of the law [of Moses] and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom
of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter
who are trying to.” Christ (Matt. 23:1-7, 13-14 NIV)
Consider the Dispensation of Jesus Christ. Behold, how all the learned men of that
generation, though eagerly anticipating the coming of the Promised One, have
nevertheless denied Him. Both Annas, the most learned among the divines of His day,
and Caiaphas, the high priest, denounced Him and pronounced the sentence of His
death.2 Bahá’u’lláh
The following verse demonstrates that the knowledge of truth is mostly a matter of
spiritual purity, that theologians are less likely than others to open their heart to their new
Redeemer:
…prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you [the chief priests].
Christ (Matt. 21:31 NIV
Do people change from age to age? Is there any reason to believe that the religious
leaders of our age are an exception to the rule? Is there a reason to believe that Christian
theologians of our age are more saintly than Jewish theologians who, after 2,000 years,
still are not convinced that Jesus is their expected Messiah?
Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores
of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp.
Some for the lust of leadership, others through want of knowledge and understanding,
have been the cause of the deprivation of the people.3 Bahá’u’lláh
But if a man is a cause of stumbling to one of these little ones [humble Christians]
who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his
neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Christ (Matt. 18:6 NEB)
Consider the following assessment of the impact of religious leaders on the spiritual and
social life of mankind:”

Positive And Negative
Impacts Of Religious Leaders

1on the world •

12. Serving as shining examples of nobility for others—for both
believers and nonbelievers. —
3. Promoting unity between denominations within their own
religion
—
4. Using reason and evidence as the standard of truth rather than
tradition —
5. Respecting scientific studies —
6. Preventing division of religion into denominations and sects —
7. Emphasizing spiritual values over theological doctrines —
8. Working for racial equality and elimination of prejudice —
9. Helping the poor +
10. Influencing the law-makers to reduce taxes for the poor and
middle classes —
11. Serving as peace-makers among nations —
12. Preventing religious wars and violence —
13. Welcoming and acknowledging the new Messengers from God —
Total Score +1 —
These grades demonstrate the extremely negative impact that religious leaders have had
on the spiritual health of the world. Their grades are the opposite of what they should be.
Suppose you wanted to fly and you discovered that your pilot had received failing grades
12 out of 13 times. Would you board his plane and allow him to take you to your
destination? Suppose you were a principal and wanted to employ a teacher. Would you
offer that job to a candidate with a grade point average of “-12”? Why then do billions of
people, without knowing, leave their spiritual life and destiny in the hands of incompetent
and unqualified teachers? As long as believers depend on their religious leaders, the
world will remain in darkness. War, violence, conflict, prejudice, and misery will
continue to afflict the world. The time has come to liberate mankind from spiritual
slavery. How long will the followers remain asleep?

2•
Source: www.KnowledgeOfGod.com.

3of His parables, Jesus identifies two groups of leaders: those who help their followers
recognize their expected Redeemer, and those who prevent them from this honor. How
will the Master, the One in charge, reward the leader who leads his followers to the Lord?
I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all His possessions.
Christ (Matt. 24:47 NIV)
What about a leader who misleads his followers?
He will…assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth [a reference to hell]. Christ (Matt. 24:51 NIV)
What more could the Master say to awaken the leaders to their awesome responsibility?
Despite all these warnings, they continue to ignore the News of the Advent of their
Master and Redeemer. From the many who have been invited, very few have responded,
and only a few have received the honor of being chosen:
Many are called, but few are chosen. Christ (Matt. 22:14)
Great is the blessedness of that divine [religious leader] that hath not allowed
knowledge to become a veil between him and the One Who is the Object of all
knowledge…He, verily, is numbered with the inheritors of the Prophets.4 Bahá’u’lláh
From the many who have been called, only a few have received the honor of being
chosen:
It had taken only a moment, not an ordinary moment, but an elastic moment that could
be stretched to a lifetime. It was a moment in which I realized that, great as they were,
and are, the outer miracles are not as great as the inner miracles. I had been deaf;
Bahá’u’lláh made me to hear. I had been blind; Bahá’u’lláh made me to see. I had
been lame; Bahá’u’lláh made me to walk. I had been dead; He raised me to life. I had
walked upon the earth; He raptured me into the paradise of His presence.
I urge all Christians to investigate the news of the return of our Lord… “Arise, shine,

1they see before them some guiding truth, some leading principle, which Bahá’u’lláh
gave long ago and which men rejected. George Townshend
Ex Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral

1inattention, how they refuse to take any step beyond the borders of their “imagined and
misleading map.” It presents a record of the author’s conversation with several Christian
theologians.
People—whether they are Jews, Christians, or Muslims—trust their religious leaders. The
following dialogues with several educated Christians will give you an inside look into the
mindset of those who receive the support of about two billion Christians, who believe
they can be “saved” only If they follow what their leaders tell them. Let us begin with my
dialogue with a doctoral student of theology.
Sometime ago a family friend, Elizabeth, spoke about a relative, named Tom, who was
working on his doctorate in theology. She described Tom as having both an open and
sharp mind. Elizabeth suggested that I should call him and tell him about Bahá’u’lláh and
send him a copy of I Shall Come Again. To prepare Tom for the dialogue, Elizabeth told
him that I would call.
I am always curious and would like to know how people respond to an invitation or a
challenge. One evening I called Tom and asked if he had heard about the Bahá’í Faith. He
said he had studied the topic only in an introductory course during his undergraduate
years, and talked briefly with a few Bahá’ís. Then I referred to I Shall Come Again—
which covers biblical prophecies about the advent of Bahá’u’lláh—and asked if he
wanted to receive a free copy. He said he was quite busy with his studies and had no time
to read anything beyond what his professors required. He then indicated that he was quite
happy with his beliefs because he had serious problems earlier and since he had fully
accepted Jesus, he had lived an abundant life. He seemed quite friendly and displayed no
sign of impatience. So I decided to challenge him a little, and perhaps disturb his peace!
The following is a paraphrase of the exchange of ideas between us, written immediately
after our conversation:
• Me: Did you know that Bahá’u’lláh has fulfilled the biblical prophecies about the
second Advent?
• Tom: That is typical of those who make such claims. They take some prophecies and
apply them to themselves.
• Me: Can you give me an example?

2• Tom: Louis Farrakhan believes Jesus and Elijah are the same person. He believes he is
Elijah.
• Me: I agree; people abuse prophecies. The only way to know is to investigate each
claim.
• Tom: We already know how Christ will come. We have accumulated an abundance of
evidence about the way He will return. We have 2,000 years of interpretation. We
know Christ has not come again.
• Me: You base your faith on fallible interpreters. Do you realize that the Gospel gives
the right of interpretation only to the Lord? Do you realize we are told:
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He
will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of
men’s hearts. I Cor. 4:5

3• Tom: Some prophecies are clear. They do not need any interpretation. For instance, we
are told in plain language that the same Jesus will come again. Is Bahá’u’lláh the same
person who came as Jesus?
• Me: Bahá’u’lláh did not have the body of Jesus, but manifested the Spirit of God, the
same Spirit that appeared in Jesus. Did not Jesus say:
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. John 6:63 NIV
Do you realize that your literal interpretation of prophecies is based on tradition? The
Pharisees did the same. They followed their ancestral beliefs and denied Jesus.
• Tom: Pharisees had to deny Jesus, because prophecies predicted that they would.
At this point, I heard the alarm signal! I recognized that I could find no way to Tom’s
heart. First, even if the Pharisees had to deny Jesus, they were still wrong. And second,
the Pharisees did not have to deny Jesus. Why would God force a person to deny His
Messenger and then punish him for doing so? Why would Jesus force a few ignorant
people to engage in a horrible act and then condemn them for doing it? I did not raise any
one of these questions. To do so would have turned the friendly dialogue into a stressful
argument. I respected his decision to keep his heart closed.
His response demonstrates how the desire to win overcomes the simple rules of reason; it
shows how a passionate need for protecting one’s belief subdues the rational powers.
Tom showed no thirst for learning about Bahá’u’lláh. I was not looking for a victory, and
stopped at the right moment. Why would anyone force his way into a locked house,
unless he is a burglar? Why give a glass of water to someone who is not thirsty:
The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer,
who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out
from the depths of his heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore
sow the seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil of the heart…1 Bahá’u’lláh
God has given each soul the right to protect and preserve his or her spiritual possessions.
But I have to admit that at times like this, it is so tempting to go on. The desire to break
the lock is ever-present, the need for winning feels almost as natural as breathing.

4The attempts made by certain believers to break this lock by force has immensely
damaged and even destroyed the dignity of religion. What would happen to the price of
gold if people went around, knocked on doors, got the householders out of their bed, and
asked them, and even argued with them, that they must accept free chunks of gold?
Any time we engage in a debate or argument about religion, we are violating God’s
principle of freedom, we are dragging a person into His Kingdom. Our Creator has taught
us again and again that He does not want reluctant guests in His banquet. The only
responsibility we have is to invite and inform. Resistance to an invitation must be met
instantly by submission, silence, and acknowledgment of the principle of freedom. When
a person argues, as I think Tom began to do, he is sending a clear signal that I do not want
your gift.
We must show unqualified respect to all those who say, “No!” to God’s invitation to His
heavenly banquet. Because they are exercising the right of freedom that God gave them.
Respecting them is respecting God, and disrespecting them is disrespecting God, the
original Designer. The beauty of divine Drama comes from diversity.
Tom asked no question about Bahá’u’lláh except to say, “Is He the same person as
Jesus?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Did he have holes in his body?” And if I had
said yes, he could ask, “How many holes were there?” And if I had said the right number,
he could ask, “Were they all in the right place?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Are
there pictures to prove it?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Is there any evidence that
the pictures are authentic?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Did he have the same
height and weight as Jesus?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Did he have the same
skin color?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Are there x-rays to show that some of
his joints were separated?” And if I had said yes, he could ask, “Did He speak Hebrew,
Greek, or Aramaic as He did in ancient times? And if I had said yes, he could say, “Is
there any recording of his voice?” And if I had said yes, he could say, “Your answers are
all too good to be true, and they are!”
As this example demonstrates, where there is a will, there will always be a way to deny
any truth, no matter how evident it may be. Tom knew he was right and no evidence, no
proof, no testimonial could convince him otherwise. How would he respond, if he
confronted the same Jesus who came 2,000 years ago exactly as He appeared then?
Would he repeat the same arguments the Pharisees pursued?
A prophecy often quoted by Christian scholars about the first advent of Christ indicates
that all of Messiah’s bones will be “out of joint” (Psalms 22:12). I could have asked him
if he has any evidence to prove this. Did crucifixion make all Jesus’ bones to be
disjointed? Another frequently quoted prophecy (Isaiah 53:10) about the first advent
declares that Messiah will be “pierced for our transgression” and then it states that “He
will see His offspring.” I could have asked him, “Who was Jesus’ offspring?”
To continue the discussion, I felt, was a waste of time and money. This was a long-
distance call! When he said, “The Pharisees had to deny Jesus,” I gently changed the
subject. Our conversation ended on a friendly note. I saw Tom anxious to be well
prepared for his course and university tests, but not for a test that would determine the
course of his eternal destiny. How perfectly St. Paul predicted Tom’s response:

5They are the kind…who are…always learning but never able to acknowledge the
truth. II Timothy 3:6-7
Theology students must master an enormous amount of detailed information about
biblical studies, and ancient and modern languages. As we noted, Tom said he could not
read about Bahá’u’lláh because of his enormous studies. He was learning German and
two ancient languages. Notice how Bahá’u’lláh describes his status and that of today’s
many Bible students and scholars:
They cleave to the obscure intricacies of knowledge, when He, Who is the Object of
all knowledge, shineth as the sun. They see the sun with their own eyes, and yet
question that brilliant Orb as to the proof of its light.2 Bahá’u’lláh
Who were the scribes? According to Christian scholar F.F. Bruce, they were “the
acknowledged students and teachers of the law.” In a way, ancient scribes can be
compared to today’s Bible scholars and professors who teach at seminary schools.
According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary:
The higher the law rose in the estimation of the people, the more did its study and
exposition become an independent business; and an independent class of “biblical
scholars or scribes,” [who] were the real teachers of the people…3
How did the scribes respond to Jesus? Did their knowledge of the law of God serve as a
beam of light to lead them to truth or as a veil of darkness to deprive them of truth?
According to Harper’s Bible Dictionary:
The scribes, like the Pharisees with whom their name is often linked in the N.T., were
opposed to Jesus (Matt. 7:29), because he sometimes cut across their ancient traditions
and exposed their unwarranted claims to prestige. Scribes played a conspicuous role in
bringing about his Crucifixion (Mark 14:43, 15:1; Luke 23:10), though a few of them
believed in his teaching (Matt. 8:19).4
Once again we can clearly see that there is no link whatsoever between being a scholar
and being a truth lover. Yet most people have throughout all ages delegated their spiritual
responsibility to their leaders who are taught by religious scholars at institutions of higher
learning. They assume that if someone knows Greek and Hebrew and has taken numerous
courses in seminary schools or has taught at institutions of higher learning, he is the one
who must lead them.
Suppose you are a sophomore at college. You are taking an introductory course in
biology. At the end of the semester your teacher tells you that you should look forward to
your next instructor, who will offer an advanced course in biology. Then he adds, “Trust
this teacher. He is quite knowledgeable.” Let us assume you register for this advanced
course and go to the class and wait for the instructor. Now suppose suddenly a man enters
the classroom and starts teaching. How should you respond? Should you start by saying,
“You are not the instructor?” Or should you listen to him for a while to see if he sounds
like one? Is not rejecting him without listening to him an unreasonable act? And yet
according to our experience in Mt. Pleasant, where I live, two percent of Christian leaders
requested a free book about the biblical prophecies fulfilled by Bahá’u’lláh. Out of more
than fifty only one pastor asked for a copy and another called to say that he already knew
that we were wrong, and that he did not need a book as further evidence.

6Concerning the new instructor, should the students cling to their ideas about how he
should look, or should they listen to him? Should they not give him a hearing? Why then
are the religious scholars and students not examining the evidence Bahá’u’lláh presents?
Why are they closing their hearts and minds? Why are they walking out of the classroom?
How can a student test an instructor without listening to him? Are the students not asked
by their previous instructor to refrain from making any judgment about difficult issues?
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s
hearts. I Corinthians 4:5 NIV
Why are the students not listening to those instructions? Why are they telling the
instructor that he is wrong before even listening to him? Why are they assuming that they
already have the answer to difficult questions?
The story of Bahá’u’lláh is so astounding, the biblical evidence for His divine origin is so
compelling that every seminary school should offer at least one course about Him. I
wonder if Bahá’u’lláh is even mentioned in those schools. Students are kept within the
confine of Christian theology. It is assumed nothing else is worth studying.
What the majority of people believe comes from their pastors and priests. And what the
majority of pastors and priests believe comes from what their professors at seminary
school taught them. Those professors are the true shakers and shapers of Christian’s
beliefs. They are highly respected as the authority on what the Bible means. As a rule,
these scholars are financially supported by a given denomination. Does it make sense to
undermine the institution that feeds you? Safety—the second most significant human
need—lies in preserving the status quo rather than risking for the unknown. This is why it
is so difficult to make a change. The system is closed. Many people mistake
“scholarship” for love for truth. They are entirely different. There are some theology
professors who are in heart agnostics and atheists!
Whether Christians realize it or not, most of their beliefs come from scholars and
university professors. That is where they originate and trickle down to others. Is it
prudent to put the most important decision of one’s life—the one that determines one’s
eternal destiny—mainly in the hands of professors at seminary schools?
Does knowing, loving, and “seeing” God require a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), or a
P.H. (a Pure Heart)?
Does knowing the truth require a D.TH. (Doctor of Theology) or D.T. (Detachment from
Traditions)?
You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your
own traditions! Christ (Mark 7:9)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Christ (Matt. 5:8)

7Let me now cite another personal experience to show you what is going on in theological
schools in the United States, where ministers are trained. When I was in Dallas, I decided
to visit a famous seminary college. I wanted to offer to the library and to the professors a
few books that would give the students and the faculty a new outlook on prophecies.

8They were three large books I have written to show that all prophecies of the Second
Advent have been fulfilled by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.•
First I went to the library, offered the books to the librarian and asked if he would accept
them. He said, “Come back couple of hours later and I will let you know.” When I
returned, he said “No, these books do not serve our needs.”
Then I decided to offer the books to the professors. While walking through a building,
looking for their offices, a security guard asked me why I had entered the building. When
I told him my purpose, he said: “You cannot do this. You must have permission.” I said,
“Please show me the office of the dean, where I can get permission.”
When I entered the dean’s office, greeted him, and told him that I wanted to offer some
books to the professors, he looked at me with much suspicion, as if I was a thief, and
firmly said: “I do not give you such a permission!” When I asked why? He said, “I must
guard them!” I could not believe what I heard. Why would professors of theology need to
be guarded against new ideas? They must be the vanguards of knowledge, not be
guarded against knowledge.
I wanted to start a dialogue with him. But his facial expression showed that he had no
desire to talk to me. He saw me as an invader or a robber who had come to take away his
precious faith. I found his response amusing. I do my best to be humble, but in this case I
felt somewhat powerful! I was standing in front of someone in charge of professors of
theology in a famous Christian college, and he was afraid of me! What a blessing it was!
By speaking very gently and humbly with him, I enticed him to ask me questions. I have
presented a record of this dialogue in another book, written specifically on the negative
role of religious leaders on the spiritual destiny of humankind. The information offered
gives you a picture of the mindset that controls most religious scholars and authorities.
What can we learn from this encounter? That the one who trains the pastors fails to obey
the most reasonable instructions from his Redeemer—the One he worships! He refuses to
pay any attention to the news of His coming! He refuses to practice the most emphatic
and repeated instruction and commandment from his Master, such as:
Be always on the watch! Christ (Luke 21:36 NIV)
I will come upon you as a thief. Christ (Rev. 3:3 NKJ)
…unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time. Hebrews 9:28 NIV
Not only he refused to pay attention, he succeeded in preventing me from sharing this
urgent Message with the professors under his “guard!” After all, he saw himself as their
shepherd. The librarian did the same: He guarded the students—the future ministers—
from gaining a new perspective on prophecies!
Those in positions of power have always feared the light of knowledge and tried to keep
people in ignorance:
…the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ
would be put out of the synagogue. John 9:22 NIV

9•
I Shall Come Again, 522 pages; Lord of Lords, 634 pages; King of Kings, 510 pages.

10Professors of theology must spread the knowledge of God. They must be open to new
ideas. How can three books in a library hurt anyone? The ones I met practiced the exact
opposite of what they were asked to do. They made these verses to come true:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected
knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have
forgotten the law of your God…I will change their glory into shame. Hosea 4:6-7 NKJ
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first
. Christ (Matt. 19:30 NIV)
I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things [the truth] from
the learned and wise, and revealing them to the simple. Yes, Father, such was your
choice. Christ (Matt. 11:25-26 NEB)
Let me now share with you the story of my last few hours in that seminary. By now, it
was 3:00 p.m. I said to myself: “Why not meet the president of the seminary? I stepped
into his office and told his secretary that I had come to offer him a few books.
Fortunately, he was free and allowed me to see him. He was a young man, very courteous
and kind. He received me warmly and asked me several questions. In response, I quoted
many Biblical verses to support my message. He listened with interest and did not
challenge me on anything I said. He simply wanted to know who I was and what was my
mission.
I reminded him that the Jews misunderstood the prophecies and asked him: “What makes
Christians to think that they have more insight than they did?” He listened and offered no
response.
He warmly accepted the three volumes for his own library and promised to examine them
and invite me later to return to the seminary for a dialogue with a few professors who
specialized in religions other than Christianity and Judaism.
I waited a few weeks for his call, but the promised invitation never came. When I was in
Dallas a year later, I called his secretary and asked for a second visit, but he declined to
meet me.
My experience in this seminary is one isolated incident and should not be generalized to
all religious leaders and teachers. Nevertheless, it gives us a glimpse of the mindset of
those who are in charge of the spiritual destiny of humankind.
This was all about a Christian seminary. What about Muslim seminaries? What would
happen if I entered a Muslim seminary? I do not know, but I would love to know! It
would be a great adventure! Many Christians do not know that the Sunni branch of Islám,
just like Christians, expect the return of Jesus, whom they call: The Spirit of God.
Sometime ago, Dr. Lou Meyer—a Catholic priest—made a “teaching trip” throughout the
United States to spread the news of the Second Coming. We had the honor of having him
in our home as a guest for a few days. His talk centered on the reasons he had recognized
Bahá’u’lláh as the return of Christ. When I asked him about the response of other priests
to the news of the advent of Bahá’u’lláh, he said that some of his old friends and teachers
listened, out of courtesy, to the news, but showed no interest. The director of a large
seminary school in the United States asked him for this favor: “Talk about any subject

11you want, but say nothing about the return of Christ to any one of the seminary
students at the university!” Such a request is astonishing. Why should the future
religious leaders remain ignorant of this most magnificent news? Is this the meaning of
“seek and ye shall find”? Why should the future religious leaders live in ignorance of the
very reason for which they live, and of the very purpose for which they go to seminary
school?
I entreat Thee, O Thou Who art my Companion and my Best-Beloved, to lift the veil
that hath come in between Thee and Thy servants, that they may recognize Thee with
Thine own eye and rid themselves of all attachment to any one but Thee. Thou art,
verily, the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.5 Bahá’u’lláh

1Nowhere God unveils His supreme power and glory as clearly as in His Word. That is His
most wondrous and mighty miracle. It is from the power of His Word that great
civilizations have come into being. It is from the power of His Word that Jesus, an
unschooled craftsman, captured the hearts and minds of millions for centuries. God is the
Master Author. A unique radiance of power, glory, novelty, creativity, and authority glows
from His thoughts. No one can imitate Him. Can any light compare with the sunlight?
The Lord…revealed Himself…through His word. I Samuel 3:21
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
Meditate on it day and night. Joshua 1:8

1us to pray:
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Christ (Mark 13:33 NKJ)
…pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Christ (Luke 21:36)
Why should we pray for receiving the honor of recognizing our Redeemer? Because
without His permission and His blessings, we will be unable to know Him:
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…Christ (John 6:44 NKJ)
Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path… Psalms 27:11 NIV
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says
of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or
forsake me, O God my Savior. Psalms 27:7-9 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not
know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

2knowing Him, Bahá’u’lláh has revealed hundreds of prayers. The following are a few
brief selections from a large volume: Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh.

1Seeking God’s Grace
and Blessings
O Thou Whose face is the object of my adoration, Whose beauty is my sanctuary,
Whose habitation is my goal, Whose praise is my hope, Whose providence is my
companion, Whose love is the cause of my being, Whose mention is my solace,
Whose nearness is my desire, Whose presence is my dearest wish and highest
aspiration, I entreat Thee not to withhold from me the things Thou didst ordain for the
chosen ones among Thy servants. Supply me, then, with the good of this world and of
the next.
Thou, truly, art the King of all men. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the
Most Generous.1

2Suffer me not, O my Lord, to be deprived of the knowledge of Thee in Thy days, and
divest me not of the robe of Thy guidance. Give me to drink of the river that is life
indeed…that mine eyes may be opened, and my face be illumined, and my heart be
assured, and my soul be enlightened, and my steps be made firm.2

3I beseech Thee, O Thou Who art my Companion in my lowliness, to rain down upon
Thy loved ones from the clouds of Thy mercy that which will cause them to be
satisfied with Thy pleasure, and will enable them to turn unto Thee and to be detached
from all else except Thee. Ordain, then, for them every good conceived by Thee and
predestined in Thy Book. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, He Whom nothing
whatsoever can frustrate.3

4Since Thou hast revealed Thy grace, O my God, deter not Thy servants from directing
their eyes towards it. Consider not, O my God, their estate, and their concerns and
their works. Consider the greatness of Thy glory, and the plenteousness of Thy gifts,
and the power of Thy might, and the excellence of Thy favors. I swear by Thy glory!
Wert Thou to look upon them with the eye of justice, all would deserve Thy wrath and
the rod of Thine anger. Hold Thou Thy creatures, O my God, with the hands of Thy
grace, and make Thou known unto them what is best for them of all the things that

5affections hath turned to the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the Fountain-Head
of Thine inspiration. Blessed is he that hath expended in Thy path what Thou didst
bestow upon him through Thy bounty and favor. Blessed is he who, in his sore
longing after Thee, hath cast away all else except Thyself. Blessed is he who hath
enjoyed intimate communion with Thee, and rid himself of all attachment to any one
save Thee.5

6I have laid hold, O my Lord, on the handle of Thy bounty, and clung steadfastly to the
hem of the robe of Thy favor. Send down, then, upon me, out of the clouds of Thy
generosity, what will purge out from me the remembrance of any one except Thee,
and make me able to turn unto Him Who is the Object of the adoration of all
mankind…6

7Suffer me, O my God, to draw nigh unto Thee, and to abide within the precincts of
Thy court, for remoteness from Thee hath well-nigh consumed me. Cause me to rest
under the shadow of the wings of Thy grace, for the flame of my separation from Thee
hath melted my heart within me. Draw me nearer unto the river that is life indeed, for
my soul burneth with thirst in its ceaseless search after Thee. My sighs, O my God,
proclaim the bitterness of mine anguish, and the tears I shed attest my love for Thee.7

8Cast me not out, I implore Thee, of the presence of Thy grace, neither do Thou
withhold from me the outpourings of Thy generosity and bounty. Ordain for me, O my
Lord, what Thou hast ordained for them that love Thee, and write down for me what
Thou hast written down for Thy chosen ones. My gaze hath, at all times, been fixed on
the horizon of Thy gracious providence, and mine eyes bent upon the court of Thy
tender mercies. Do with me as beseemeth Thee. No God is there but Thee, the God of
power, the God of glory, Whose help is implored by all men.8

9Lauded be Thy name, O my God and the God of all things, my Glory and the Glory of
all things, my Desire and the Desire of all things, my Strength and the Strength of all
things, my King and the King of all things, my Possessor and the Possessor of all
things, my Aim and the Aim of all things, my Mover and the Mover of all things!
Suffer me not, I implore Thee, to be kept back from the ocean of Thy tender mercies,
nor to be far removed from the shores of nearness to Thee.9

10Have mercy, then, upon Thy servants by Thy grace and bounty, and suffer them not to
be kept back from the shores of the ocean of Thy nearness. If Thou abandonest them,
who is there to befriend them; and if Thou puttest them far from Thee, who is he that
can favor them? They have none other Lord beside Thee, none to adore except
Thyself. Deal Thou generously with them by Thy bountiful grace.
Thou, in truth, art the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.10

11Bahá’u’lláh’s Meditations
and Prayers to God

1honor for himself, but he who works for the
honor of the one who sent him is a man of
truth; there is nothing false about him.
Christ (John 7:18 NIV)

2How wondrous is the unity of the Living, the Ever-Abiding God — a unity which is
exalted above all limitations, that transcendeth the comprehension of all created
things! He hath, from everlasting, dwelt in His inaccessible habitation of holiness and
glory, and will unto everlasting continue to be enthroned upon the heights of His
independent sovereignty and grandeur. How lofty hath been His incorruptible Essence,
how completely independent of the knowledge of all created things, and how
immensely exalted will it remain above the praise of all the inhabitants of the heavens
and the earth!1

3Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou knowest that in my love for Thee I have not
sought any rest, that in proclaiming Thy Cause I have denied myself every manner of
tranquility, and that in the observance of whatever Thou hast prescribed in Thy
Tablets I have not delayed to do Thy bidding. I have, for this reason, suffered what no
man among all the inhabitants of Thy realm hath suffered.
Thy glory beareth me witness! Nothing whatsoever can withhold me from
remembering Thee, though all the tribulations of the earth were to assault me from
every direction. All the limbs and members of my body proclaim their readiness to be
torn asunder in Thy path and for the sake of Thy pleasure, and they yearn to be
scattered in the dust before Thee. O would that they who serve Thee could taste what I
have tasted of the sweetness of Thy love!
I implore Thee to supply whosoever hath sought Thee with the living waters of Thy
bounty, that they may rid him of all attachment to any one but Thee. Thou art, verily,
the Omniscient, the All-Glorious, the Almighty.2

4I am the one, O my God, who for love of Thee hath forsaken the world and all its
benefits, and willingly accepted every tribulation for the sake of Thy remembrance.3

5But for the adversities that befall me in Thy path, how could I ever taste the divine
sweetness of Thy tenderness and love?4

6I yield Thee thanks, O my God, for that Thou hast offered me up as a sacrifice in Thy
path, and made me a target for the arrows of afflictions as a token of Thy love for Thy
servants, and singled me out for all manner of tribulation for the regeneration of Thy
people.
How sweet to my taste is the savor of woes sent by Thee, and how dear to my heart
the dispositions of Thy providence! Perish the soul that fleeth from the threats of kings
in its attempt to save itself in Thy days! I swear by Thy glory! Whoso hath quaffed the
living waters of Thy favors can fear no trouble in Thy path, neither can he be deterred
by any tribulation from remembering Thee or from celebrating Thy praise.5

7I swear by Thy glory! I have accepted to be tried by manifold adversities for no
purpose except to regenerate all that are in Thy heaven and on Thy earth. Whoso hath
loved Thee, can never feel attached to his own self, except for the purpose of
furthering Thy Cause; and whoso hath recognized Thee can recognize naught else
except Thee, and can turn to no one save Thee.6

8Thou art well aware, O my God, that throughout my life I have sought no advantage
for myself. I have offered up my spirit and my whole being for the exaltation of Thy
word amidst Thy creatures and the glorification of Thy name among Thy servants.7

9Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou knowest that my sole aim in revealing Thy Cause
hath been to reveal Thee and not my self, and to manifest Thy glory rather than my
glory. In Thy path, and to attain Thy pleasure, I have scorned rest, joy, delight. At all
times and under all conditions my gaze hath been fixed on Thy precepts, and mine
eyes bent upon the things Thou hast bidden me observe in Thy Tablets. I have
wakened every morning to the light of Thy praise and Thy remembrance, and reached
every evening inhaling the fragrances of Thy mercy.
And when the entire creation was stirred up, and the whole earth was convulsed, and
the sweet savors of Thy name, the All-Praised, had almost ceased to breathe over Thy
realms, and the winds of Thy mercy had well-nigh been stilled throughout Thy
dominions, Thou didst, through the power of Thy might, raise me up among Thy
servants, and bid me to show forth Thy sovereignty amidst Thy people. Thereupon I
arose before all Thy creatures, strengthened by Thy help and Thy power, and
summoned all the multitudes unto Thee, and announced unto all Thy servants Thy
favors and Thy gifts, and invited them to turn towards this Ocean, every drop of the
waters of which crieth out, proclaiming unto all that are in heaven and on earth that He
is, in truth, the Fountain of all life, and the Quickener of the entire creation, and the
Object of the adoration of all worlds, and the Best-Beloved of every understanding
heart, and the Desire of all them that are nigh unto Thee…

10Though—as Thou beholdest me, O my God—I be dwelling in a place within whose
walls no voice can be heard except the sound of the echo, though all the gates of ease
and comfort be shut against us, and thick darkness appear to have compassed us on
every side, yet my soul hath been so inflamed by its love for Thee, that nothing
whatsoever can either quench the fire of its love or abate the consuming flame of its
desire.8

11Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Thou seest me dwelling in this prison-house that
lieth behind the seas and the mountains, and knowest full well what I have endured for
love of Thee and for the sake of Thy Cause. Thou art He, O my God, Who hath raised
me up at Thy behest, and bidden me to occupy Thy seat, and to summon all men to the
court of Thy mercy. It is Thou Who hast commanded me to tell out the things Thou
didst destine for them in the Tablet of Thy decree and didst inscribe with the pen of
Thy Revelation, and Who hast enjoined on me the duty of kindling the fire of Thy love
in the hearts of Thy servants, and of drawing all the peoples of the earth nearer to the
habitation of Thy throne.
And when, as bidden by Thee, I arose and called out, by Thy leave, all Thy creatures,
the wayward among Thy servants opposed me. Some turned away from me, others
disowned my claim, a few hesitated, while others were sore perplexed,
notwithstanding that Thy testimony was set forth before the followers of all religions,
and Thy proof demonstrated unto all the peoples of the earth, and the signs of Thy
might so powerfully manifested as to encompass the entire creation.9

12I have no will but Thy will, O my Lord, and cherish no desire except Thy desire. From
my pen floweth only the summons which Thine own exalted pen hath voiced, and my
tongue uttereth naught save what the Most Great Spirit hath itself proclaimed in the
kingdom of Thine eternity. I am stirred by nothing else except the winds of Thy will,
and breathe no word except the words which, by Thy leave and Thine inspiration, I am
led to pronounce.10

13Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! My tongue, both the tongue of my body and the
tongue of my heart, my limbs and members, every pulsating vein within me, every
hair of my head, all proclaim that Thou art God, and that there is none other God
beside Thee. From everlasting Thou hast been immeasurably exalted above all
similitudes and comparisons, and sanctified from whatsoever pertaineth to the creation
Thou hast created and fashioned. From eternity Thou hast been alone, with none to
share the majesty of Thy singleness, and hast remained far above the changes and
chances to which all Thy creatures are subjected.
And when Thou didst purpose to demonstrate the power of Thy sovereign might, and
to glorify Thy word, and to guide the steps of Thy people, Thou didst raise up from
among Thy creatures One of Thy servants, Whom Thou didst send forth with the signs
of Thy sovereignty, and Whom Thou didst endue with the clear tokens of Thy
oneness, that He might fulfill Thy testimony unto all created things, and perfect Thy
proof before all men.

14As soon as He revealed Himself, as bidden by Thee, and called Thy servants to turn in
the direction of Thy gifts, and to set their faces towards the horizon of Thy knowledge,
the signs of dissension appeared amongst them. Some responded to Thy call and,
without the least hesitation, obeyed Thy summons. Others turned their backs to Thee,
and followed the desires of a corrupt inclination.
I implore Thee, O my God, by Thy Most Great Name, to enrapture the nations through
the potency of the Word which Thou didst ordain to be the king of all words, the Word
whereby the goodly pearls of Thy hidden wisdom were uncovered, and the gem-like
mysteries which were wrapped up within Thee were unraveled. Deprive them not, by
Thy grace and bounty, of the things Thou didst desire for them, and suffer them not to
be far removed from the shores of the ocean of Thy presence.
Every existence, whether seen or unseen, O my Lord, testifieth that Thy mercy hath
surpassed all created things, and Thy loving-kindness embraced the entire creation.
Look upon them, I entreat Thee, with the eyes of Thy mercy. Thou art the Ever-
Forgiving, the Most Compassionate. Do with them as beseemeth Thy glory, and Thy
majesty, and Thy greatness, and Thy bounteousness and Thy grace. Deal not with
them according to the limitations imposed upon them, or the manifold vicissitudes of
their earthly life.
Thou knowest, O my Lord, that I am but one of Thy servants. I have tasted of the
sweetness of Thy speech, and acknowledged Thy unity and Thy singleness, and set my
face towards the Source of Thy most excellent names and the Day-Spring of Thy
transcendent attributes, and wished to be enabled by Thee to immerse myself beneath
the ocean of Thy oneness and to be submerged by the mighty waters of Thy unity.
Assist me, by Thy strengthening grace, O my Lord, to do what Thou didst will, and
withhold not from me the things Thou dost possess. So enravish me with the wonders
of Thine utterances that the noise and distraction of this world may be powerless to
deter me from turning unto Thee, and may fail to shake my constancy in Thy Cause,
or to distract my gaze from the horizon of Thy grace. Aid me, then, O my God, to do
what pleaseth Thee, and to carry out Thy will. Write down for me, moreover, the good
of this world and of the world which is to come, and ordain for me a seat of truth in
Thy presence. Potent art Thou to do what Thou willest, and to rule as Thou pleasest.
No God is there but Thee, the Inaccessible, the All-Glorious, the Most Great.
All-praise to Thee, O Lord of the worlds and the Object of the adoration of the entire
creation!11

1The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Christ (John 6:63 NIV)
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…How regrettable indeed that man should debar himself from the fruits of
the tree of wisdom while his days and hours pass swiftly away. Please God, the hand
of divine power may safeguard all mankind and direct their steps towards the horizon
of true understanding.1 Bahá’u’lláh
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NIV
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but
water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and
bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not
return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJ
Some people are not receptive to the Word of God. They allow their worldly desire to
“choose the Word:”
Others…hear the Word, but worldly cares and the false glamour of wealth and all
kinds of evil desire come in and choke the Word, and it [their heart] proves barren.
Christ (Mark 4:18-19 NEB)

2In this age, many people are “turning away from the faith.” They give little if any
attention to their spiritual life. They are too busy to set aside a little time for their soul, for
their everlasting destiny. How does God awaken such souls? They need help. How does
He inspire them to seek the One who created them for the sole purpose of knowing Him
and loving Him?
History shows that all the great Messengers and Redeemers have been denied,
persecuted, and even killed. This indicates that people have always been closed to new
ideas and beliefs. What strategies have those Messengers used to open the hearts of their
listeners? How have they tried to motivate people to listen, to investigate, and to accept
their message?
The purpose of the following selections is to show you examples of the motivators that
God’s great Teachers and Messengers have used. They are selected from the Bible and

Inviting To Investigate

1Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the
water of life.2
Whosoever wisheth, let him turn thereunto; whosoever wisheth, let him turn away.3

1O OFFSPRING OF DUST!
Be not content with the ease of a passing day, and deprive not thyself of everlasting
rest. Barter not the garden of eternal delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world. Up
from thy prison ascend unto the glorious meads above, and from thy mortal cage wing
thy flight unto the paradise of the Placeless.4
How regrettable indeed that man should debar himself from the fruits of the tree of
wisdom while his days and hours pass swiftly away. Please God, the hand of divine
power may safeguard all mankind and direct their steps towards the horizon of true
understanding.5

1What would it profit man, if he were to fail to recognize the Revelation of God?
Nothing whatever. To this Mine own Self, the Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the All-
Wise, will testify.6
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?7

1on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and
immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.8
He is truly wise whom the world and all that is therein have not deterred from
recognizing the light of this Day, who will not allow men’s idle talk to cause him to
swerve from the way of righteousness. He is indeed as one dead who, at the wondrous
dawn of this Revelation, hath failed to be quickened by its soul-stirring breeze. He is
indeed a captive who hath not recognized the Supreme Redeemer, but hath suffered
his soul to be bound, distressed and helpless, in the fetters of his desires.9

2your hopes on them. Let your reliance be on the remembrance of God, the Most
Exalted, the Most Great. He will, erelong, bring to naught all the things ye possess.10
The world is continually proclaiming these words: Beware, I am evanescent, and so
are all my outward appearances and colors. Take ye heed of the changes and chances
contrived within me and be ye roused from your slumber. Nevertheless there is no
discerning eye to see, nor is there a hearing ear to hearken.11
Beware lest the transitory things of human life withhold you from turning unto God,
the True One.12
Night hath succeeded day, and day hath succeeded night, and the hours and moments
of your lives have come and gone, and yet none of you hath, for one instant, consented
to detach himself from that which perisheth. Bestir yourselves, that the brief moments
that are still yours may not be dissipated and lost. Even as the swiftness of lightning
your days shall pass, and your bodies shall be laid to rest beneath a canopy of dust.
What can ye then achieve? How can ye atone for your past failure?13
The world is but a show, vain and empty, a mere nothing, bearing the semblance of
reality. Set not your affections upon it. Break not the bond that uniteth you with your
Creator, and be not of those that have erred and strayed from His ways. Verily I say,
the world is like the vapor in a desert, which the thirsty dreameth to be water and
striveth after it with all his might, until when he cometh unto it, he findeth it to be
mere illusion.14
O FRIENDS!
Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your
affections on this mortal world of dust.15

1He, verily, is come with His Kingdom, and all the atoms cry aloud: “Lo! The Lord is
come in His great majesty!”16
O ye that inhabit the heavens and the earth! There hath appeared what hath never
previously appeared. He Who, from everlasting, had concealed His Face from the
sight of creation is now come.17
The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The
promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled.18

1Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…”19

2Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life
O My servants! Whoso hath tasted of this Fountain hath attained unto everlasting
Life…22
Such is the station ordained for the true believer that if to an extent smaller than a
needle’s eye the glory of that station were to be unveiled to mankind, every beholder
would be consumed away in his longing to attain it. For this reason it hath been
decreed that in this earthly life the full measure of the glory of his own station should
remain concealed from the eyes of such a believer.23
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven…24

1God, yet on the Last Day ye shut yourselves out from God and turn away from Him
Who is your Promised One.25
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.26
There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it
behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not
in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that is.27

1other!…You say, “I am [spiritually] rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a
thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I
counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and
white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on
your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke
O MOVING FORM OF DUST!
I desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. The sword of thy
rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am near unto thee, but thou art
ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have chosen for thee, yet boundless shame
thou hast chosen for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance.29
You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your
own traditions!30

1O the pity! that man should deprive himself of this goodly gift, this imperishable bounty,
this everlasting life.31
The eye of My loving-kindness weepeth sore over you, inasmuch as ye have failed to
recognize the One upon Whom ye have been calling in the daytime and in the night
season, at even and at morn.32

1Take ye heed, watch and pray.
Enable Thy servants, O my God, to discover the things Thou didst desire for them in
Thy Kingdom. Acquaint them, moreover, with what He Who is the Origin of Thy
most excellent titles hath, in His love for Thee, been willing to bear for the sake of the
regeneration of their souls, that they may haste to attain the River that is Life indeed,
and turn their faces in the direction of Thy Name, the Most Merciful. Abandon them
not to themselves, O my God! Draw them, by Thy bountiful favor, to the heaven of
Thine inspiration. They are but paupers, and Thou art the All-Possessing, the ever-
Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.34

1You judge by human standards…I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent
me…I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.35
Thy Lord, verily, is a witness unto what I say.36
God, verily, is sufficient Witness.37
O peoples of the earth! God, the Eternal Truth, is My witness…38
To this He Who is the Lord of all creation beareth Me witness.39
Verily this is the true Faith of God, and sufficient witness are God and such as are
endowed with the knowledge of the Book.40

1I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover.
Why hast thou forsaken Me and sought a beloved other than Me?41

2this time?42
O people, if ye deny these verses, by what proof have ye believed in God?43
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?44

1Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.45
Say: We, in truth, have opened unto you the gates of the Kingdom. Will ye bar the
doors of your houses in My face?46
Where is the man of insight who will behold the Words of God with his own eyes and
rid himself of the opinions and notions of the peoples of the earth?47

1anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will
come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.48
Ye, and all ye possess, shall pass away. Ye shall, most certainly, return to God, and
shall be called to account for your doings in the presence of Him Who shall gather
together the entire creation.49
To deny honor to the Son is to deny it to the Father who sent him.50
Be thou assured in thyself that verily, he who turns away from this Beauty hath also
turned away from the Messengers of the past and showeth pride towards God from all
eternity to all eternity.51
He who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.52
This mortal life is sure to perish; its pleasures are bound to fade away and ere long ye
shall return unto God, distressed with pangs of remorse, for presently ye shall be
roused from your slumber, and ye shall soon find yourselves in the presence of God
and will be asked of your doings.53
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see
life, for God’s wrath remains on him.54
No man can obtain everlasting life, unless he embraceth the truth of this inestimable,
this wondrous, and sublime Revelation.55

1Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the
commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; and the curse, if
you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the
way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.56
Be always on the watch [search] and pray that you may be able to escape all that is
about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.57
Cast away that which ye possess, and, on the wings of detachment, soar beyond all
created things. Thus biddeth you the Lord of creation…58
Thy Paradise is My love; thy heavenly home, reunion with Me. Enter therein and tarry
not. This is that which hath been destined for thee in Our kingdom above and Our
exalted Dominion.59
Purge your sight, that ye may perceive its glory with your own eyes, and depend not
on the sight of any one except your self, for God hath never burdened any soul beyond
its power.60
Judge ye fairly the Cause of God, your Creator, and behold that which hath been sent
down from the Throne on high, and meditate thereon with innocent and sanctified
hearts. Then will the truth of this Cause appear unto you as manifest as the sun in its
noon-tide glory.61

1The evidence presented in this book to prove the divine origin of Bahá’u’lláh’s
Revelation is quite brief—a mere drop from a vast ocean. If you wish to continue your
search for further proofs, you can find many other references. In this section, you will
find brief introductions to some of them.

2Bahá’í Scriptures
Available in English

3Bahá’u’lláh’s Works
Seek ye out the book of Jehovah and read… Isaiah 34:16

1Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
The most complete and comprehensive reference on Bahá’u’lláh’s Works available in
English. This book, which is a compilation from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, covers a
wide spectrum of precepts ranging from the purpose of man’s creation, his duty and
destiny, to the manifold mysteries of divine Wisdom.

1By Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh has left a rich repository of prayers pertaining to every human hope and
aspiration, dream or desire. Thus, in this dispensation, the seekers of serenity, guidance,
and inspiration can select and recite prayers and meditations revealed and blessed by the
Pen of the Redeemer of the age, the revealer of divine Purpose.
Bahá’u’lláh has also written many prayers expressing His own supplication and servitude
before God. Such prayers offer an intimate knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh’s own self—His
indomitable spirit, His unswerving love for the Creator and for humanity, His
steadfastness in His claim, His determination before the onrush of adversities, His
absolute trust in God, and His loving counsel to all those athirst for truth.

1of Bahá’u’lláh
No other of Bahá’u’lláh’s works so succinctly offers the reader as complete and as
representative a sample of the ethical fruits of the new Revelation as The Hidden Words.
It is a small book filled with gems, a treasure-house of celestial Wisdom, a divine guide
to the unfoldment and ennoblement of the human spirit.
All the requirements for attaining purity and self-fulfillment are stated in the most
exquisite and lofty language. Everything that the soul must seek or surrender, everything
that a spiritual seeker must know or must do to direct the course of his or her spiritual
destiny is concisely and clearly revealed and set forth by the pen of the Supreme
Messenger—the Revealer of hidden wisdom and divine mysteries.

1Perhaps the most mystical of Bahá’u’lláh’s works available in English. It unfolds and
enumerates the stages of seeker’s journey towards God; revealing, in a language at once
poetic and perplexing, his potential for attaining perfection and nobility, and his sublime
and celestial destiny, if he but turns to the light instead of darkness, seeks the gems of
divine wisdom instead of the perishable joys of flesh, and undertakes to tread the long but
wondrous and enchanting path of purification and illumination.

1Addressed to a cruel and cunning Muslim clergyman who, along with his father, inflicted
death, distress, and torment on some of Bahá’u’lláh’s most beloved and most
distinguished disciples. Though addressed to a symbol of denial, it is a call to humanity
as a whole. This weighty volume covers and clarifies many illuminating and inspiring
arrays of precepts.

1the world, to its religious leaders, and to humanity in general. These Tablets comprise
Bahá’u’lláh’s most emphatic words on His claim and on His station as the supreme
Savior of humankind, the King of Kings, the Glory of the Lord, the Desire of the Nations,
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of the Vineyard, Christ returned in
the Glory of the Father, the Inaugurator of the Cycle of Fulfillment, and the Promised
One of all ages and religions.

2The Book of Certitude•
This book responds to questions raised by a seeker of truth. It unseals “the sealed Wine of
mysteries,” and unveils the symbolism and the essence of all the scriptures of the past,
indicates how the seeker of truth can rise above the prevailing perplexity and confusion,
how he or she can move from doubt to certitude, and from unbelief to belief.
It offers proofs of divine Revelation, portrays in a moving language man’s refusal to
accept and acknowledge, in every age, the gift of divine Guidance, and conveys in a
unique tone and style the dramatic story of the unfoldment of the perennial Faith of God,
the unveiling of the eternal Truth.

3•
Also known as The Kitáb-i-Íqán.

4Available in English
By Bahá’u’lláh:
The Most Holy Book
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Tabernacle Of Unity

1By The Báb
Selections from the Writings of the Báb

2By ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Some Answered Questions
Foundations of World Unity
The Secret of Divine Civilization

1Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The Promulgation of Universal Peace
A Traveller’s Narrative

2Bahá’í Faith by
the Same Author

3• Evidence for the Bahá’í Faith
• History and Teachings
• The Afterlife

Evidence For

1the Bahá’í Faith

I Shall Lord Of King Of
Come Again Lords Kings
Volume I Volume Ii Volume Iii

1522 Pages 634 510 Pages

1That is the day when I come like a thief.
Happy the man who stays awake.
Christ (Rev. 16:15)
Do not let Him find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”
Christ (Mark 13:36)

1I Shall Come Again, Lord of Lords,
King of Kings?

2A scholarly work of meticulous research. Appealing to reason and applying the
scientific method to prophetic scripture, it demonstrates that God has once again
revealed Himself to humankind and has provided hope for unity and peace on this
planet. John Paul Vader, M.D.

1A book with a message of hope and fulfillment, a message that can transform our
planet into a place of peace, into a kingdom that has been the dream and hope of
humanity since the dawn of history…a scholarly, comprehensive, and fascinating
work that has been long overdue. No wonder it took over three decades to complete
it. Hon. Dorothy W. Nelson
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
A story with an incredible ending that is made credible by the sheer weight of
evidence. It is a must for anyone interested in the proofs of the advent of the
Promised One of all ages. John Huddleston

Former Chief Of Budget And Planning

1Division, International Monetary Fund,

Author Of The Earth Is But One Country

1…a treasure house of great value for both Bahá’ís and seekers. Adib Taherzadeh

Author And Scholar

1I am in awe at the extent of research you have undertaken! Waldo Boyd

1Your work never fails to astound me. The effort and breadth of your knowledge both
of the Bible and other literature as well as the depth of your understanding of
Bahá’í Scripture is truly amazing. Also, a hallmark of your work is your
thoroughness. Anyone who believes in biblical prophecy, and reads these volumes
with an open mind, cannot fail to be convinced. Dr. Tom Rowe

1Your work is the best I’ve seen on biblical prophecies and proofs of Bahá’u’lláh’s
Revelation. You offer so much information in relatively few pages. Your many
references prove clearly the book’s central claim. Your language is simple and
exciting. You take the reader through a complete spiritual and prophetic adventure.
Your approach is modest, yet dynamic. I pray it will excite all your readers as it has
excited me. Joe Killeen
Bible Scholar, with a Degree in

1There are few works by a single author that can rival Dr. Motlagh’s in their sheer
scope, depth and thoroughness of scholarship. Without doubt, future Bahá’ís will
thank Dr. Motlagh for his achievements, that are, in my opinion, not only
astonishing—they are heroic.
An important work that will be referenced by future Bahá’í scholars for millennia to
come. Robert F. Riggs
Aerospace and Marine Scientist, Inventor,

1By writing these volumes Dr. Motlagh has made a momentous contribution to our
understanding of biblical prophecy. As a former Baptist minister, I urge all
Christians to investigate the news of the return of our Lord as presented in I Shall
Come Again, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. “Arise, shine, for your light has
come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isa. 60:1). Mel Campbell

Former Baptist Minister

1Come Now,

1This book is written in response to the objections raised by a pastor against the Bahá’í
Faith. It removes all the main obstacles that prevent Christians from recognizing the
return of the Son in the glory of the Father, from acknowledging the promised

2Redeemer of our time—Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God. Once you start reading this book,
you will find it hard to put down.

The Evidence
For

1Bahá’u’lláh:

1329 pages
One way to prove that Bahá’u’lláh fulfills the promise of the Second Advent is to
compare Him with Jesus Christ. The Evidence for Bahá’u’lláh: The Glory of the Father,
does exactly that. It compares Jesus and Bahá’u’lláh in 35 different ways. A fair-minded,
even a skeptical, reader cannot escape this conclusion: If Jesus is the One He claims to
be, so must be Bahá’u’lláh. A sincere Christian cannot in good faith accept One and reject
the other. It will be like having twin children, but loving only one of them!
In addition, The Evidence for Bahá’u’lláh offers a summary of some of the most
significant prophecies presented in I Shall Come Again, Lord of Lords, and King
of Kings.

1274 Pages

2On Wings of Destiny is based on a dialogue between two friends. Reading it is like
joining a circle of friends and participating in a “fireside chat.”
The prime purpose of the book is to inspire you—and anyone else who values his soul
and spiritual life—to recognize that in this world you have an awesome responsibility:
you must choose your everlasting destiny. That choice has unimaginable consequences
that will endure beyond death for all eternity. Failing to make a choice is also a choice.
This book invites you to make every effort to discover God’s plan for you and to follow
that plan.
On Wings of Destiny shows that the only way you can attain true joy and happiness in all
the worlds of God is to cultivate your spiritual potential and to draw nearer and nearer to
God. If you value your soul and wish to choose your destiny in the light of knowledge
and freedom, take the time to listen to this inspiring “fireside chat” to discover how the
Bahá’í teachings can help you attain contentment, fulfill your life’s purpose, and discover
your divine destiny: Heaven’s most glorious gift to you.

1375 Pages

2Most people leave their destiny to “chance.” Whatever their parents happen to believe,
they believe. This book shows that our “destiny” is God’s most precious gift to us.
Should we throw this gift to the wind? Should we allow “chance” rather than “choice”
determine our destiny?
The Bahá’í Faith has come to give us spiritual insight and to help us choose our destiny
in the light of reason and true knowledge, rather than in the darkness of tradition and
conformity. The knowledge contained in Choosing Your Destiny can liberate us from past
prejudices and illusions and set our souls free. It can help us become spiritual by
developing “the divine image” in our soul.

3One God, Many
Faiths; One
Garden,

1290 Pages

2One God, Many Faiths; One Garden, Many Flowers shows that in God’s garden there
are many fragrant flowers, planted and nourished by the same Gardener. The Bahá’í Faith
has come to help us recognize the beauty of the garden, the harmony of the flowers, and
the oneness of the Gardener.
When we realize that we are all one people, on one planet, under one God, with one
common destiny, the walls of prejudice that divide God’s beautiful garden will crumble.
Only true knowledge and love can reveal this beauty and bring about this wonder. The
Bahá’í Faith is that knowledge and that love. It penetrates the hearts and souls of mankind
to dispel all shadows of prejudice and separation. It connects our hearts and reveals the
beauty and splendor of our souls in the light of oneness. One God, Many Faiths, One
Garden, Many Flowers offers you the knowledge that can change your destiny.

1This is a compilation from the Bahá’í Scriptures on the afterlife. It brings together the
Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the purpose of human life and the

2continuation of that purpose into the mysterious realms beyond. Unto God Shall We
Return is compiled and arranged to portray a clear vision of the meaning of life—both
here and hereafter—and to offer guidance about how we can prepare our soul for God’s
“many mansions in heaven.”

1256 Pages

2The Glorious Journey to God contains selections from sacred scriptures of five great
religions on the afterlife. This is an inspirational book on a topic of great concern to all
human beings. It is the most comprehensive and reliable source of knowledge about the
beyond. It will have a profound impact on your spiritual perspective.

1112 Pages

2A Messenger of Joy is the most comforting and positive book ever written on death and
the afterlife. In consoling and uplifting the souls of the grieving, it sets a standard that is
not likely to be surpassed for a long time.
This book portrays death as a message of joy and hope, and not as the news of sorrow
and despair. It lifts the veil to show that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of
an everlasting and most glorious journey toward God.

1visions. This is a state in which the individual shows no vital signs of life, yet experiences
life to its fullest. What makes this story unique is this: Reinee’s vision guided her to
become a Bahá’í. She was given several clues by a spiritual being about the Bahá’í Faith.
For instance, one of the titles of Bahá’u’lláh—the Blessed Beauty—was revealed to her.
She was also told the word “justice” and shown the seat of the Universal House of
Justice, exactly as it is built. Reinee had many unusual dreams as a child, and three near
death visions.
We have added an introduction and a conclusion to this DVD to make it more attractive
and meaningful to all viewers, especially to seekers. The introduction and conclusion

2present Biblical and Bahá’í references to the many clues that Mrs. Pasarow received
while in the presence of the Being of Light.

1“knowledge of God,” so that we may know our Creator as He really is, not as we may
wish Him to be!
A poet once said: “God is closer to me than I am to myself. Why, then, am I so far from
Him?” How can this be possible? The distance between our spirit and the Spirit of God
can be measured by the difference between God as He really is, and the God that we have
created in our mind. The purpose of acquiring the “knowledge of God” is to diminish the
distance. The more we know God as He really is, the closer we draw to Him.
Our purpose in coming to this world is spiritual transformation, which can be attained
only by knowing and loving God. The Spiritual Design of Creation will help you attain
this Most Glorious Purpose. It appeals both to the mind and to the heart. It satisfies the
mind by presenting the latest scientific evidence for the existence of God and the
afterlife. It inspires and transforms the heart by showing the everlasting honors and
rewards in store for those who cultivate their spiritual potential and the unimaginable
losses for those who fail in this endeavor.
How would you feel if you traveled for 70 years toward a destination, and then at the end
of this journey, you suddenly discovered that you had traveled in the wrong direction?
This is the way many people squander the precious days of their lives. Imagine their
disappointment at the end of their spiritual journey! Should we not then learn a lesson
from their lives? Should we not take a little time for our soul while we still have a
chance?
This small book rests on this premise: We are spiritual beings created and designed in the
most splendid Image, for a profound purpose—to grow and advance spiritually by
remaining in touch with our Designer. Our welfare and our destiny depend on
harmonizing our life with what He has planned and has in store for us. Unless we accept
and submit to His plan, we cannot manifest our full potential, nor can we enjoy the
blessings in store for us. Instead of blooming into a beautiful flower, we will live and die
as a seed, without fulfilling our mission—the very reason we came into this world.

2God’s

162 Pages

2This is God’s prescription for peaceful living. Without knowing, accepting, and living by
these principles, no one can attain true happiness. This mini-book presents briefly the
most significant spiritual principles that bind us to our Creator.

1Each of the seven-volume series is like a piece of a single puzzle. To see the beautiful
picture of human life and destiny—what God has planned for each of us here and
hereafter—it is essential to study all seven volumes, preferably in the following order:

21. Bahá’í Faith: God’s This volume describes briefly the teachings
Greatest Gift to and history of the Bahá’í Faith. It displays the
Humankind fruits of the Tree of Life.
160 pages

12. Bahá’u’lláh: The the One who established the Bahá’í Faith.
One Promised in This is the root of the Tree of life, and the
All Scriptures most significant volume in this series.
235 pages
Reading it is a must for every seeker of truth.

13. Bahá’í Proofs which they can be recognized. This book
applies those standards to Bahá’u’lláh and
proves that He has fulfilled every one of them
on a scale never seen before.

24. The Greatest News: This book is addressed primarily to
The News Everyone Christians. It proves that Bahá’u’lláh—the
Should Hear Glory of God—fulfills the promise of the
166 pages
second coming of Christ.

1afterlife as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. It
5. Death: the Door to explains the meaning of hell and heaven and
Heaven shows how we can attain our divine destiny,
182 pages how we can prepare our soul for God’s
“many Mansions in heaven” (John 14:2).
Without gaining a glimpse of the afterlife, this
life has no meaning.
We have been created to know and love God.
This small book presents the “Knowledge of
6. God’s 19 Great God.” It sets forth what we need to know
Little Tranquilizers about our Creator to attain a state of utter joy
62 pages and peace. It reveals the spiritual design of
creation and presents 19 principles that lead
us to a life of contentment and happiness.

1(Matthew 7:20). Prayers are the first fruits of
religion—its heart and soul. They are the
7. Bahá’í Prayers heavenly lights that guide us to the presence
230 pages of God and manifest His glory and grandeur.

1Bahá’u’lláh—the Glory of God.
The prime purpose of this series is to unveil our glorious destiny and to demonstrate how
the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh can help us:
• To know God more truly
• To love Him more intimately
• To trust Him more genuinely, and
• To submit to His Will and His Wisdom more willingly.
Reading the preceding volumes in the recommended order will lead you toward the
discovery of the greatest mysteries of human life and destiny. It will help you resolve
these puzzling and profound questions: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we
going? And how can we fulfill our divine destiny—attain the very purpose for which
we have come into this world? Are there, and will there ever be, any concerns and
questions that are more urgent and of a greater consequence?

1Bahá’u’lláh—the Glory of God.
The prime purpose of this series is to unveil our glorious destiny and to demonstrate how
the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh can help us:
• To know God more truly
• To love Him more intimately
• To trust Him more genuinely, and
• To submit to His Will and His Wisdom more willingly.
Reading the preceding volumes in the recommended order will lead you toward the
discovery of the greatest mysteries of human life and destiny. It will help you resolve
these puzzling and profound questions: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we
going? And how can we fulfill our divine destiny—attain the very purpose for which
we have come into this world? Are there, and will there ever be, any concerns and
questions that are more urgent and of a greater consequence?