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Christ concludes the story with the master returning and catching the evil servant whom he then punishes severely. The Messiah comes as judge, and judgement is meted out. Baha'u'llah writes: (153:3) We have a fixed time for you, O peoples. If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction. How severe, indeed, is the chastisement with which your Lord will then chastise you! (Gleanings 214) (153:4) In verse 24:51, Christ states that the master cuts 'him asunder': literally, 'shall cut him in pieces' (ASV) or 'will cut him to pieces' (NIV). It has also been translated as 'will scourge him till his flesh is cut' (ML), but all these versions have obviously troubled some translators, and so we also find, 'will punish him' (RS). (153:5) The story should not be taken as literally describing what will actually befall the unwatchful and disobedient in the final hour. Understood symbolically, the story suggests that the disobedient will be separated from, or denied, the rewards of the believers. The message reflects Psalm 37:-- For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD,-- They shall inherit the earth. (Ps. 37:9)
(153:6)
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