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This theme is picked up again in verse 22:-- For those who are blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those who are cursed by Him shall be cut off. (154:1) Matthew Henry writes, 'His Lord shall cut him asunder, "he shall cut him off from the land of the living", from the congregation of the righteous, shall separate him unto evil' (Matthew Henry's Commentary, vol. V, 366). (154:2) Carson views the non-literal interpretation as unconvincing. 'Here, however, the wicked servant is not cut off from anything; he is cut in pieces- a most severe and awful punishment - and joins the hypocrites in weeping and grinding of teeth' (Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 8, 511). (154:3) Carson may have the meaning right with regard to the intended imagery of the story, but the literal imagery must be understood as only the story's form. The recognition of the Baha'i Faith as fulfilment of the Olivet Discourse completely rules out a literal interpretation. Judgement in the end times does not pertain to a bloodbath for evil doers but, rather, should be understood spiritually. Every soul is called to judgement at the time of decision between belief and unbelief. That decision, like all choices, is followed by the consequences it warrants. The Baha'i concept of judgement can be seen in 'Abdu'l-Baha's commentary on Revelation 11:18: (154:4) 'And the time of the dead, that they should be judged' means that the time has come that the dead - that is to say, those who are deprived of the spirit of the love of God and have not a share of the sanctified eternal life - will be judged with justice, meaning they will arise to receive that which they deserve. He will make the reality of their secrets evident, showing what a low degree they occupy in the world of existence, and that in reality they are under the rule of death. (Some Answered Questions 59) (154:5) Baha'u'llah writes:-- By the terms 'life' and 'death', spoken of in the scriptures, is intended the life of faith and the death of unbelief. (Certitude 114)
(154:6)
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