Re: 1000 year no manif ???
w.scott23@genie.geis.com
Sun, Feb 12 1995 03:24:45 GMT
Dear Gordon,
> > I have heard the seal explained differently, but how, certainly
> > eludes me now.
The explanation I used was given to me by an Iranian Baha'i who reads and
speaks Arabic and knows the Qur'an very well. I may not be explaining it all
that well, however. :)
> > Anyway are you saying then that those are in error who call Baha'u'llah
> > the prophet-founder of the baha'i faith? - Gordon
Well, you know there are two sides to everything in this world. :) In a way,
it is an error to refer to Baha'u'llah as the Prophet-Founder, although as
Baha'is we understand the meaning of the word "Prophet" as opposed to the
word "prophet" and equate the word Prophet with Manifestation. And
Baha'u'llah certainly prophesied. In fact, I'm getting a new book about His
prophecies tomorrow that explain how they have been fulfilled already. I
think I heard there were about 30 of them dealt with in this new book. Will
give more info in a few days.
What I'm trying to say rather clumsily is that the common understanding of
the word prophet indicates someone who comes to prophesy. Prophets of the
past, both major and minor, prophesied the Time of the End, the Day of
Judgment, the Resurrection Day, New Jerusalem, the Great Announcement, etc.
All of this we believe Baha'u'llah has fulfilled. So His fundamental purpose
is in contrast with the prophets of the past. Thus, to call Him a prophet,
could be considered incorrect in this respect.
Also, in comparison to the Messengers of the past, Baha'u'llah revealed so
much more, some in His own hand even, and the originals are still extant and
preserved. So there will never be a doubt as to what He really said. Thus,
He has manifested God's Will in a new way in this Day. Though spiritually He
and the Messengers of the past are one, as far as their missions are
concerned there are differences of quantity if nothing else. It's a new Day
of God that allows us 15,000 separate documents known to be the writings of
the Manifestation! Not to mention the thousands of tablets interpreting them
revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha. It's almost overwhelming when you think about it.
Love and peace, Wendy---{-@
W.Scott23@GEnie.GEIS.com