1The Story of Bahá’u’lláh
and His Herald, the Báb
2The true beginning of wisdom is the
desire to learn.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:17 neb
The source of all learning is the knowl-
edge of God, exalted be His Glory…1
Bahá’u’lláh
I pray Thee, O Thou Who causest the
dawn to appear…that Thou wilt grant
that we may draw near unto what Thou
didst destine for us by Thy favor and
bounty, and to be far removed from
whatsoever may be repugnant unto
Thee. Give us, then, to drink from the
hands of Thy grace every day and every
moment of our lives of the waters that
are life indeed, O Thou Who art the
Most Merciful! 2 Bahá’u’lláh
3Who Was Bahá’u’lláh?
4In 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, adapt-
ed 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.”
Bahá’u’lláh’s father was so captivated by Him that
544 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
6he wrote a piece of poetry in his son’s honor, in-
scribed 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 Be-
loved 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.”
People were attracted by Bahá’u’lláh’s many distinc-
tions. 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.5
He showed no interest in politics:
7Chapter 4
8When 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 not 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 under-
stand him, but I am convinced that he is destined
for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like
ours. Let him alone.”
Bahá’u’lláh was known especially for His generos-
ity 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.7
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 ac-
companied 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 some-
thing. 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
946 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
10was very much pleased when He heard about
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s generous thoughts towards the
shepherds. He humorously remarked that every-
one 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 hu-
manity, to unite us and bring us true happiness.8
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 as-
sociation, 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, de-
fending the weak and protecting the innocent.9
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
11Chapter 4
12accusations against Jesus.) He faced His enemies
with the utmost courage, showing no weakness or
fear.
Bahá’u’lláh endured nearly 40 years of imprison-
ment and exile, yet He never complained. No
human being can imagine the extent of His suffer-
ings. 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 conceiv-
able pain and anguish:
• Total darkness: The underground prison had
neither lights nor windows.
• A terrible stench: About 150 of the worst crim-
inals were thrown in that dark, deep, and damp
dungeon with no air circulation or sanitary fa-
cilities. 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.
1348 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
14• 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 from consum-
ing poison placed in His food.
• Homelessness: All His properties were confis-
cated.
• Loneliness: “During this time none of His
friends were able to get access to Him.”
• 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 out-
side 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 be-
came a stranger (an exile). Never again did He
see His homeland.
15Chapter 4
16• 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…”
Bahá’u’lláh repeatedly stated that He spoke only
by God’s command, and not of His own choosing.
He declared:
Think ye, O people, that I hold within My grasp
the control of God’s ultimate Will and Pur-
pose?…Had the ultimate destiny of God’s Faith
been in Mine hands, I would have never con-
sented, 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.12
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!13
•
The Bible contains numerous prophecies that predict
suffering for Jesus in His Second Advent. For a review of
such prophecies, see King of Kings.
1750 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
18Bahá’u’lláh’s arrest and imprisonment in that dun-
geon give us only a glimpse of the sufferings He
endured for nearly 40 years in three different coun-
tries. 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.14
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 opposite happened. He attracted many
more disciples. They exiled Him again and again.
The results were the same—a spreading of His in-
fluence. 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 experi-
enced 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.
19Chapter 4
20To 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.15
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.” 16 In a prayer, Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the
sacrifice of His son:
2152 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
22I have, O my Lord, offered up that which Thou
hast given Me, that Thy servants may be quick-
ened, and all that dwell on earth be united.17
Here Bahá’u’lláh explains why He accepted so
much pain and suffering:
The Ancient Beauty [Bahá’u’lláh] hath consent-
ed 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!18
Despite this severe repression, Bahá’u’lláh’s influ-
ence 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 col-
lapse; 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
When Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to the Holy Land,
those aware of biblical prophecies suddenly realized
23Chapter 4
24what 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 excep-
tion 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 down-
fall. 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 appar-
ent grandeur and opulent in material achievement,
has ever been subjected to a worse humiliation
in so short a time.19
Other sovereigns addressed by Bahá’u’lláh encoun-
tered similar fates. Every prediction that Bahá’u’lláh
2554 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
26made 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.
How 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 mir-
acles to prove His power, see Matt. 4:7. We cannot
be sure why Bahá’u’lláh accepted this request. Per-
haps one reason was that He knew it would be re-
jected.)
Bahá’u’lláh demonstrated His dependence on the
divine and detachment from worldly desires by
associating with the poor and the humble and avoid-
ing the powerful and the pompous.20 A famous figure
wanted to meet Bahá’u’lláh. But to be seen with
27Chapter 4
28Bahá’u’lláh meant danger. He sent a message ask-
ing 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?
We must be just and acknowledge what an
Educator this Glorious Being was, what marvel-
ous signs were manifested by Him, and what
power and might have been realized in the world
through Him.21 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
My deeds done in my Father’s name are my
credentials. Christ (John 10:25)
Accept the evidence of my deeds.
Christ (John 10:38)
29Who Does Bahá’u’lláh
Claim to Be?
Biblical prophecies indicate that at “the end of the
age” a universal Redeemer will come to unite all
3056 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
31the religions and peoples of the earth under one
God and one Faith. He will establish righteousness,
peace, and justice:
The desired of all nations shall come…
Haggai 2:7
Lo, the Desired One is come with manifest do-
minion!22 Bahá’u’lláh
Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness
live in the fertile field…My people will live in
peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in
undisturbed places of rest…how blessed you will
be. Isaiah 32:16-20
Bahá’u’lláh claims to be that universal Redeemer
and unifier of the human race, the One expected
and desired by all nations, the One who will bring
righteousness, justice, peace, and prosperity.
Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed His mission in Epistles
addressed to common people and to political and
religious leaders. These Epistles have been pub-
lished under the title The Summons of the Lord of
Hosts. The following is a brief passage from an
Epistle addressed to the kings of that time; ponder
the power and authority with which Bahá’u’lláh
speaks:
Ye are but vassals, O Kings of the earth! He Who
is the King of Kings hath appeared, arrayed in His
most wondrous glory, and is summoning you unto
Himself, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
Take heed lest pride deter you from recognizing
32Chapter 4
33the Source of Revelation; lest the things of this
world shut you out as by a veil from Him Who
is the Creator of heaven. Arise, and serve Him
Who is the Desire of all nations, Who hath
created you through a word from Him, and or-
dained you to be, for all time, the emblems of
His sovereignty…
Forsake your palaces, and haste ye to gain ad-
mittance into His Kingdom. This, indeed, will
profit you both in this world and in the next. To
this testifieth the Lord of the realm on high, did
ye but know it.23
Bahá’u’lláh proclaims in the clearest, most certain,
and most emphatic terms His station as the supreme
Savior and Redeemer of the World, the Promised
One of all ages and religions, the return of Christ
to Christians, and the Glory of the Lord to the fol-
lowers of both the Torah and the Gospel. He claims
a station referred to throughout the Scriptures as
the Return of the Son in the Glory of His Father,
the Lord of the Vineyard, the King of Glory, the
Desire of all Nations, the Comforter, the Counselor,
and the Prince of Peace.24
The followers of all great faiths expect a World-
Redeemer who, at the last hour, will bring peace
and prosperity to our planet. Zoroastrians refer to
Him as “Sháh-Bahrám,” Buddhists as “the Buddha
of universal fellowship,” and the Hindus as “the
Most Great Spirit.” The Qur’án calls Him “the
Great Announcement.” 25 Bahá’u’lláh declared that
He fulfilled all these expectations and prophecies.
3458 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
35The following are further examples of the language
and the manner in which Bahá’u’lláh declares His
divine mission:
The Hour which We had concealed from the
knowledge of the peoples of the earth…hath
come to pass.26
He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come!
His all-conquering sovereignty is manifest; His
all-encompassing splendor is revealed. Beware
lest thou hesitate or halt.27
This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in
the past, eternal in the future. Let him that
seeketh, attain it; and as to him that hath re-
fused to seek it—verily, God is Self-Sufficient,
above any need of His creatures.28
By the righteousness of the Almighty! Every
hidden thing hath been manifested through the
power of truth. All the favors of God have been
sent down, as a token of His grace. The waters
of everlasting life have, in their fullness, been
proffered unto men. Every single cup hath been
borne round by the hand of the Well-Beloved.
Draw near, and tarry not, though it be for one
short moment.29
Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind
can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the
Promised One…It behoveth every man to blot
out the trace of every idle word from the tablet
of his heart, and to gaze, with an open and un-
biased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, the
36Chapter 4
37proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His
glory…
The most grievous veil hath shut out the peoples
of the earth from His glory, and hindered them
from hearkening to His call. God grant that the
light of unity may envelop the whole earth.30
Bahá’u’lláh
Many Christians assume that Christ must come with
His original name of Jesus. King of Kings presents
many prophecies that point to a new name and
specifically to the Glory of God, which is the Eng-
lish translation of Bahá’u’lláh. For instance, the
following prophecy from Isaiah points not only to
the rejection of the Redeemer of our time but also
to a new name given to His servants or followers:
I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you
did not listen; and you did what was wrong in
my eyes and you chose what was against my
will…the Lord God shall give you over to death;
but his servants he shall call by another name.
Isaiah 65:12-15
The Book of Revelation also points to a new name:
Him who overcomes…I will also write on him
my new name. Rev. 3:12
To him who overcomes…I will also give him a
white stone with a new name written on it.
Rev. 2:17
Christ said that He will come “in His Father’s glory”
(Mark 8:38). Since His Father is God, His Father’s
3860 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
39glory equals “God’s Glory,” or “Glory of God,”
which is the meaning of the word “Bahá’u’lláh.”
In His Epistle to Christians, Bahá’u’lláh declares
Himself the One promised to come in the station
of the Father:
He Who is the Desired One is come in His tran-
scendent majesty. Say,• Lo! The Father is come,
and that which ye were promised in the King-
dom is fulfilled!31
The coming of a divine Being named “the Glory
of God,” which is the equivalent of “Bahá’u’lláh,”
is repeated throughout the Bible, yet it is seldom
noticed:
As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with
the glory of the Lord. Numbers 14:21
They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor
of our God. Isaiah 35:2
Did I not tell you that if you have faith you will
see the glory of God ? Christ (John 11:40)
…he shall come in his own glory and in his
Father’s. Christ (Luke 9:26)
When the Lord…shall appear in his glory.
Psalms 102:16
The Lord is come in his great glory.32
Bahá’u’lláh
40•
Equivalent to the biblical phrase: Thus says the Lord.
41Chapter 4
42In His Epistle to Christians, Bahá’u’lláh asks why
they allow the name Bahá’u’lláh to serve as an ob-
stacle in testing His claim. He reminds them that
the people to whom Jesus was sent prayed con-
stantly for their Redeemer’s Advent. They expressed
the deepest desire to meet Him. Yet when He came,
only a few among them, mostly from the disfavored
classes of society—the poor and the powerless, the
simple and the sinners—recognized His divine
glory. Why did the Jews’ deep love for their adored
and awaited Redeemer and Master not save them
from denying Him? They read their Scriptures day
and night. Why was their knowledge of no avail to
them? Why did their repeated readings of the proph-
ecies not guide them to truth?
You study the scriptures diligently, supposing
that in having them you have eternal life; yet,
although their testimony points to me, you re-
fuse to come to me for that life.
Christ (John 5:39-40)
Bahá’u’lláh intimates that, without asking and re-
solving these questions, we cannot learn from the
example of those who were once in our place, who
thought that by ignoring or opposing Jesus they
were doing the right thing, without ever suspecting
that they were depriving themselves of the greatest
gift that Heaven might bestow upon humans. With-
out pondering and resolving these questions, it is
extremely difficult, even impossible, to overcome
the many obstacles our traditional beliefs place
before us. We will be as confused and perplexed as
4362 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
44our forebears who repeatedly rejected God’s new
Messengers:
You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever
a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They
even killed those who predicted the coming of
the Righteous One. Acts 7:51-52
When you hear the name “Bahá’u’lláh,” always
remember its meaning: the Glory of God. The hu-
man being who lived on earth and called Himself
Bahá’u’lláh was simply an instrument for mani-
festing “the Glory of God” in an earthly temple
on an earthly plane. The following prayer from
Bahá’u’lláh shows His submission and selflessness
as a human being before God who created Him and
crowned Him with His glory:
Glorified 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 pre-
cepts, 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.33
In the following passage, Bahá’u’lláh expresses His
humility even before human beings, God’s loved
ones:
45Chapter 4
46By Thy glory, O Lord of all being, and the
Desire of all creation! I would love to lay My
face upon every single spot of Thine earth, that
perchance it might be honored by touching a
spot ennobled by the footsteps of Thy loved
ones!
47What Other Proofs Establish the
Validity of Bahá’u’lláh’s Station?
• Bahá’u’lláh persisted in His claim to the end,
without ever making the slightest compromise.
• He endured every conceivable adversity, hu-
miliation, and pain for almost half a century with
superhuman resolve, composure, and constancy.
• He revealed Scriptures for 40 years with no con-
tradictions or changes of mind.
• He spiritualized and raised the ethical standards
of millions of people from every race, creed, and
culture.
• He revealed teachings extolled by some of the
great thinkers of our time.
• 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.
4864 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
49• He and His Herald, the Báb, fulfilled hundreds
of prophecies with perfect precision, including
at least 18 biblical references that point to the
precise year of their advents. (See the section,
“Books that Can Change Your Destiny” at the
end of this volume.)
• He lived a life pure, divine, and noble, far be-
yond 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.
Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath
not planted, shall be rooted up.
Christ (Matt. 15:13)
These are the most reliable proofs—proofs that,
unlike miracles, can be tested and verified. Taken
together, these 12 distinguishing features set
Bahá’u’lláh far above impostors; they point to His
divine origin. No human being can accomplish such
wonders on his own. These distinguishing features
are the pieces to a jigsaw puzzle that only God
could design and put together. No piece should be
seen alone, but as a part of a whole picture. Like a
tapestry of exquisite beauty and charm, the parts
should be blended and viewed together. Every
thread should be reviewed in the light of every
other. Only then can the splendor of their divine
distinction be fully manifested.
50Chapter 4
51All the preceding proofs apply equally to the Báb.
Thus we have not one, but two supreme Redeemers,
each of them manifesting every sign of divine dis-
tinction.
God endows His great Messengers and Redeemers
with a distinct spectrum of evidence that no human
being can ever produce. He makes their souls shine
like the sun among lighted lamps. Is it possible to
mistake one for the other? The reason for not seeing
the difference has always been and will always be
with the beholders, who fail to look carefully
(“watch”), who wear dark veils, or try to see the
sun through many layers of clouds.
Glory be to Thee, O my God! Thou hearest
Thine ardent lovers lamenting in their separation
from Thee…Open Thou outwardly to their faces,
O my Lord, the gates of Thy grace, that they
may enter them by Thy leave and in conformity
with Thy will, and may stand before the throne
of Thy majesty, and catch the accents of Thy
voice, and be illumined with the splendors of
the light of Thy face.
Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. None
can withstand the power of Thy sovereign might
…Have 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 near-
ness. 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
5266 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
53none other Lord beside Thee, none to adore ex-
cept Thyself. Deal Thou generously with them
by Thy bountiful grace.
Thou, in truth, art the Ever-Forgiving, the Most
Compassionate.35 Bahá’u’lláh
Happy is the man who hath recognized Thee,
and discovered the sweetness of Thy fragrance,
and set himself towards Thy kingdom…Great is
the blessedness of him who hath acknowledged
Thy most excellent majesty, and whom the veils
that have shut out the nations from Thee have
not hindered from directing his eyes towards
Thee, O Thou Who art the King of eternity…
Blessed, moreover, be the man that hath turned
unto Thee, and woe betide him that hath turned
his back upon Thee.
Praised be Thou, the Lord of the worlds!
Bahá’u’lláh
54Who Was the Báb?
55By studying the life and words of the Báb, we can
discover every proof that God has bestowed on His
great Messengers and Redeemers:
Thou art the Repository of all Our [God’s] proofs
in this Day.1 The Báb
On May 22, 1844, a young man entitled the Báb,
meaning the “Gate” (the Gate of God) proclaimed
that He was the One promised in all the Holy Scrip-
tures. He declared the dawning of a new day in the
religious history of humankind: a day of peace and
unity, the age of the coming of the heavenly King-
dom to the earthly, the day of divine justice. Here
is an invitation from the Báb to all seekers and
lovers of truth:
5668 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
57Assuredly we are today living in the Days of
God. These are the glorious days on the like of
which the sun hath never risen in the past. These
are the days which the people in bygone times
eagerly expected. What hath then befallen you
that ye are fast asleep? These are the days where-
in God hath caused the Day-Star of Truth to shine
resplendent. What hath then caused you to keep
your silence? These are the appointed days
which ye have been yearningly awaiting in the
past—the days of the advent of divine justice.2
The Báb
Just as John the Baptist foretold the coming of One
greater than Himself, so did the Báb. He referred
to the One still to come by many titles, among them
Bahá’u’lláh (Glory of God).
The Báb came from southern Persia, where God
had promised to set His throne (Jer. 49:38). Within
the brief span of His ministry (1844-1850), He at-
tracted many followers, thousands of whom were
massacred, mostly by order of fanatical religious
leaders of Islam who feared the loss of their powers.
The Báb Himself was imprisoned and finally exe-
cuted in 1850.
The Báb’s mission was primarily symbolic of the
destruction of the old order; Bahá’u’lláh’s mission
was the creation of a new order to replace the old.
One came to clear the way, the other to build.
All God’s Messengers and Redeemers reveal the
same signs of greatness. They manifest His light
with full glory and splendor. If we can identify a
58Chapter 5
59genuine diamond, we can use our knowledge to test
and identify other diamonds. Otherwise, we may
mistake a diamond for a stone and a stone for a
diamond. Therefore we need standards. The best
way to find the standard is to look at the lives of
God’s great Messengers and Redeemers to identify
what distinguishes them above all others. The lives
of Jesus and the Báb are astonishingly alike. Lord
of Lords presents 83 parallels between the lives,
the works, and the destinies of these two great Re-
deemers.
60How Was the Báb Executed?
The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
Christ (John 10:11)
The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give His life…
Christ (Matt. 20:28)
I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee; I have
accepted curses for Thy sake, and have yearned
for naught but martyrdom in the path of Thy
love. Sufficient witness unto me is God, the Ex-
alted, the Protector, the Ancient of Days.3
The Báb
I heard a Voice calling in my inmost being: “Do
thou sacrifice the thing which Thou lovest most
in the path of God…” 4 The Báb
For assuredly whatsoever God hath decreed for
Me shall come to pass and naught else save that
6170 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
62which God hath ordained for us shall ever touch
us. Woe betide him from whose hands floweth
evil, and blessed the man from whose hands
floweth good.5 The Báb
Woe to the world because of the things that
cause people to sin! Such things must come, but
woe to the man through whom they come!
Christ (Matt. 18:7)
The Báb was martyred in July of 1850, a few months
short of His 31st birthday. His martyrdom is one of
the best documented and most incredible events in
religious history. It was observed by an estimated
audience of 10,000 and recorded by writers of vari-
ous religious persuasions, and even by the official
historian of the state that ordered the execution.
Before reviewing the story of the Báb’s martyrdom,
it may be helpful to ask: Why does God allow suf-
fering for His loved ones? Why did Jesus and the
Báb offer up their lives? An essential feature of the
design of creation is that every worthy achievement
must be preceded or accompanied by a sacrifice.
Whether it is raising well-behaved children, getting
a degree, staying healthy, losing weight, or elimi-
nating racism, sexism, or poverty, some degree of
sacrifice is required.
In order to grow and multiply, and to bear flowers
and fruits, the seed must sacrifice itself:
Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies,
it produces many seeds. Christ (John 12:24)
63Chapter 5
64What is by far the greatest achievement? It is
educating humanity; it is elevating the human spirit
to everlasting hope and happiness; it is leading the
soul from the kingdom of earth to the Kingdom of
Heaven. Can such a glorious purpose be achieved
without sacrifice?
Human beings are best inspired by models who
show their devotion and sincerity by their example.
The first ones to offer perfect examples of devotion,
nobility, and self-sacrifice are God’s chosen Mes-
sengers. If they, with all their perfections and powers,
submitted themselves to the law of sacrifice, are we
not inspired to do the same?
I have set you an example: you are to do as I
have done for you. Christ (John 13:15)
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep. Christ (John 10:11)
To most of us, self-sacrifice has negative connota-
tions. It implies losing or giving something away.
That is a misconception. Self-sacrifice involves no
loss; it is the process by which short-term interests
are exchanged for long-term dividends. It is like ex-
changing junk bonds for reliable and late-maturing
bonds, or junk food for healthy food. Self-sacrifice
is the catalyst of perfection; it is the yeast that
elevates the human spirit by breaking down apathy,
inertia, complacency, pride, self-glory, and attach-
ment to the world. It is the price that must be paid
for a lasting and genuine happiness.
God’s ways are often opposite to ours. By His stan-
dard, we must lose to gain; we must give to obtain;
6572 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
66we must be humble to be exalted; we must be least
to be greatest; we must die to live.
…how can My way accord with thine?
Bahá’u’lláh
Behold how contrary are the ways of the Mani-
festations of God [great Messengers], as ordained
by the King of creation, to the ways and desires
of men! 7 Bahá’u’lláh
All the great Messengers and Redeemers have en-
dured pain and suffering. The only difference is
this: some of them became martyrs, others were
living martyrs. Death does not necessarily impose
the gravest suffering. In some ways, life can be far
more painful than death. Bahá’u’lláh’s life was of
this kind. Martyrdom attracts our attention because,
in addition to being tragic, it is dramatic. The deaths
of Jesus Christ and the Báb were of this kind.
In the circumstances surrounding the Báb’s death
we can discern evidence of a divine power at work.
Should we use that evidence as proof of His station?
Definitely not! Then what purpose should it serve?
Only this: It should elevate us from apathy to
awareness. It is not evidence in itself, but a call
for us to investigate the evidence. For instance, you
know that you will be asleep at 7:00 a.m. You set
your clock to awaken you at that time to be ready
for an invited guest. In the state of sleep, you are
unaware of the imminent arrival of the guest. When
you awaken, you begin to see and hear. That is
the only purpose miracles should serve. You do
not welcome your guest because of the alarm clock,
67Chapter 5
68you welcome him because you see him and recog-
nize him with your own eyes.
With these points in mind, let us proceed with the
story of the Báb’s martyrdom. The Persian govern-
ment wanted to make the execution of the Báb a
lesson to all citizens, especially to His followers.
Hence, a decision was made to make it a public
event. But, as we shall see, God had a different
plan.
Just before the time of the execution, the Báb was
in prison speaking to a disciple. A government
official came to the Báb’s prison cell and told Him
to come to the public square for the impending
execution. The Báb asked for a little time to finish
His conversation with the disciple, but the official
would not comply. The Báb offered this warning:
“Not until I have said to him all those things that
I wish to say, can any earthly power silence Me.
Though all the world be armed against Me, yet shall
they be powerless to deter Me from fulfilling, to
the last word, My intention.” 8 The official ignored
the warning and took the Báb (along with a young
disciple who wanted to die with Him) to the public
square to be shot by a regiment of 750 soldiers,
standing in three lines ready to fire.
The regiment was headed by an Armenian colonel,
Sám Khán, who had no animosity toward the Báb
and no interest in executing two young men for
their religious beliefs. To absolve himself of respon-
sibility, he went to the Báb and said, “I profess the
Christian Faith and entertain no ill will against you.
If your Cause be the Cause of Truth, enable me to
6974 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
70free myself from the obligation to shed your
blood.”
The Báb replied, “Follow your instructions, and if
your intention be sincere, the Almighty is surely
able to relieve you from your perplexity.”
The martyrdom of the Báb and His disciple was
planned with precision. To give people a good view
of the event, the officials suspended the Báb and
His disciple above the ground by placing two heavy
ropes under their armpits and tying the ropes to a
heavy nail driven into a thick wall. The Báb’s dis-
ciple pleaded to be placed in such a position that
his body would shield that of his Master. He was
suspended so that his head rested on his Master’s
chest.
At about 10:00 a.m., the gaze of thousands of on-
lookers was fixed on the two young men suspend-
ed in the air. The first of the three lines of soldiers,
250 of them, were ordered to fire. They fired, then
knelt so that the second and then the third lines of
soldiers could fire. The firing of 750 bullets created
a great cloud of smoke that obscured the people’s
vision. (The smoke came from the gun powder used
in those days.) For a few minutes, the people were
blinded, but when the smoke cleared, they could
see no trace of the Báb. His disciple was standing
unharmed on the ground just below the suspension
point.
It is hard to imagine the uproar, the astonishment,
and the confusion that seized the onlookers, espe-
cially the government officials. The nervous and
71Chapter 5
72puzzled officials frantically searched for the Báb.
Where do you think He was found? In His original
prison cell, completing His unfinished conversation
with His disciple.
The man who located Him was the same man who
had taken Him for execution. When he arrived, the
Báb was ready. His face radiated with unruffled
calm. He welcomed the official by saying, “Now
you may proceed to fulfill your intention.” 11 The
guard was so shaken by what he saw that he refused
to take the Báb a second time. He left the scene and
resigned from his position.
In the meantime, the Christian colonel, who had
been looking for any reason to excuse himself from
the ominous task, could not have been more jubi-
lant. He saw this as a sure sign from God and im-
mediately withdrew his soldiers and swore never
again to engage in that task, even if his refusal led
to his death.
A second regiment was ordered into action. Now
two hours had passed. It was about noon. Because
of the seemingly miraculous event, the Báb had a
more receptive audience. He had a chance to ad-
dress the people:
Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation,
every one of you would have followed the ex-
ample of this youth [the disciple who wanted to
die with Him]…The day will come when you
will have recognized Me; that day I shall have
ceased to be with you.12
7376 Bahá’u’lláh: the One Promised in all Scriptures
74Everything was now ready. The second regiment
took position and was ordered to fire. This time the
bullets reached their targets. The two bodies were
so shattered and riddled with bullets that they were
blended into one mass of mangled flesh and bone,
except for the face of the Báb, which remained
untouched by the bullets.
Unto God do I commit Mine affair…Naught shall
touch Me besides that which God, My Lord,
hath pre-ordained for Me. In Him have I placed
My whole trust…13 The Báb
I am well pleased to lay down My life in Thy
path and ere long to return to Thy presence.
Unto Thee be praise in the heavens and on the
earth.14 The Báb
Glory be unto Thee, O my God. Thou art well
aware that I have proclaimed Thy Word and have
not failed in the mission Thou didst enjoin upon
me.15 The Báb
I, verily, have not fallen short of My duty to
admonish…people, and to devise means whereby
they may turn towards God, their Lord, and be-
lieve in God, their Creator.16 The Báb
The One called the Desire of nations, the Savior
and Redeemer of humankind, Lord of Lords and
King of Kings, was made a sacrifice for the world.
This is the way it has been and may always be:
You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever
a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They
75Chapter 5
76even killed those who predicted the coming of
the Righteous One. Acts 7:51-52
Great spirits have always encountered opposi-
tion from mediocre minds. Albert Einstein
The sacrifices made by the Báb and Jesus present
us with two dramatic examples by which God
teaches us lessons of detachment and dedication.
He allows the Ones He loves most to become sac-
rificial Lambs. The few examples of self-sacrifice
by God’s chosen Messengers have had, and will
continue to have, far more influence in elevating
the human spirit than countless books of command-
ments and counsels.
How did this seemingly incredible event occur? The
only explanation offered is that some bullets hit the
rope first and severed it, thus allowing the Báb and
His disciple to fall to the ground. Did God intervene
or was it merely a coincidence? We have the choice
to come to either conclusion.