2nd Coming of Christ - D. Yamartino
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Chapter 1 of  19

CHAPTER 1 (1:1)

The Second Coming (1:2)

The Baha'i Faith originated in the year 1844, in the land of Persia (present-day Iran). It has now become the second-most geographically widespread religion in the world, the first being Christianity. The Founder's name is Baha'u'llah, an Arabic title that means "The Glory of God." He claims to be the Christ returned in the Glory of the Father. (1:3)

In the Baha'i view, Christ has come the second time, as He did the first time, largely unrecognized by those who were looking for the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Baha'u'llah has invited the world to investigate His claim. (1:4)

Baha'u'llah was born in 1817 in Tihran, now the capital of Iran. His life was remarkable from birth. In infancy, He never cried-a cause of astonishment to His mother. In childhood and youth He manifested a rare quality of attraction which endeared Him to all, and a wisdom surpassing that of learned men. Reminiscent of Jesus Christ, Who at the age of twelve was found conversing in the temple with the doctors who were astonished at His understanding (luk 2:46-47), Baha'u'llah would converse with the religious scholars of His time, answering questions and explaining the meaning of diffcult passages of scripture, although He, too, had never attended any school. By the time He was fourteen, His penetrating understanding and eloquence were widely recognized in both religious and government circles. (1992 Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year ) (1:5)

Baha'u'llah was born into a noble family. He was a direct descendant of King David. When He was a young man, He was offered a high position by the grand vazir, but He refused it, wishing instead to devote His time to ministering to the oppressed, the sick, and the poor. When He was nearly eighteen years of age, He married a young woman named Asiyyih Khanum, tenderhearted and also of noble birth. Both had inherited large fortunes, yet neither was attached to luxury; rather, they were motivated by their love and concern for others: (1:6)

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. He always had many guests. This unbounded generosity was conducive to greater astonishment from the fact that He sought neither position nor prominence. In commenting upon this His friends said He would become impoverished, for His expenses were many and His wealth becoming more and more limited. "Why is he not thinking of his own afeairs?" they inquired of each other; but some who were wise declared, "This personage is connected with another world; he has something sublime within him that is not evident now; the day is coming when it will be manifested. (pup 25-26 ) (1:7)

Baha'u'llah's wealth and status were not to last, for He would, in time, lose everything: His wealth, His freedom, His homeland. His future was presaged by a dream that His father had when He was a child. In the dream, Baha'u'llah was swimming in a vast, a limitless ocean, His body radiating a light that illumined the waters. His long, black hair floated in great profusion in all directions. A multitude of fishes gathered around Him, each one holding on to the end of one hair. Fascinated by His radiant face, the fish followed Him in whatever direction He swam, and no matter how great their numbers or how firmly they clung to the hairs of His head, not one hair became detached, nor did Baha'u'llah suffer any injury as He swam free and unrestrained (see db 119-120). (1:8)

Baha'u'llah's father was greatly impressed by this dream, and he summoned a soothsayer who was famous in that region to interpret it. This man told Baha'u'llah's father: (1:9)

The limitless ocean that you have seen in your dream, O Vazir, is none other than the world of being. Single-handed and alone, your son will achieve supreme ascendancy over it. Wherever He may please, He will proceed unhindered. No one will resist His march, no one will hinder His progress. The multitude of fishes signifies the turmoil which He will arouse amidst the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Around Him will they gather, and to Him will they cling. Assured of the unfailing protection of the Almighty, this tumult will never harm His person, nor will His loneliness upon the sea of life endanger His safety. (db 119) (1:10)

Two significant aspects of the life of Baha'u'llah are the sufferings He endured and the influence that He had on the hearts of the people. When, in 1844, a Youth1 from the southern city of Shiraz began calling the people to purify their hearts in anticipation of a Messenger mightier than Himself Who would usher in a New Day of God, Baha'u'llah began espousing this. (1:11)

This Youth, Who took the title "The Bab," was a figure Who, much like John the Baptist, announced the imminent advent of One greater than Himself, and Who prepared the way for His coming. The Bab was born in 1819 and martyred in 1850. (1:12)

For this He was stripped of all of His wealth and imprisoned in the "Black Pit" dungeon in Tihran, where He spent four months suffering in the cold and filth with nearly one hundred and fifty thieves, assassins and highwaymen. Around His neck heavy chains were placed, the scars from which remained with Him for the rest of His life. While in the gloom of this pestilential prison, He had a vision, through which He was made aware of His divine Station. Years later, He wrote of this experience: (1:13)

During the days I lay in the prison of Tihran, though the galling weight of the chains and the stench-filled air allowed Me but little sleep, still in those infrequent moments of slumber I felt as if something flowed from the crown of My head over My breast, even as a mighty torrent that precipitateth itself upon the earth from the summit of a lofty mountain. Every limb of My body would, as a result, be set afire. At such moments My tongue recited what no man could bear to hear. (1:14)

While engulfed in tribulations I heard a most wondrous, a most sweet voice, calling above My head. Turning My face, I beheld a Maiden-the embodiment of the remembrance of the name of My Lord-suspended in the air before Me.. Betwixt earth and heaven she was raising a call which captivated the hearts and minds of men.. Pointing with her finger unto My head, she addressed all who are in heaven and all who are on earth, saying: 'By God! This is the Best-Beloved of the worlds, and yet ye comprehend not. This is the Beauty of God amongst you, and the power of His sovereignty within you, could ye but understand.' (gpb 101-102) (1:15)

After this transforming experience, and once released from the dungeon prison in broken health from the cruel conditions, Baha'u'llah was exiled immediately to Baghdad, commencing the first stage of what was to become nearly forty years of exile, imprisonment, and spiritual triumph in the path of God. (1:16)

After reaching Baghdad, Baha'u'llah, overcome with sorrow, pondering the mission thrust upon Him, withdrew to the mountains of Sulaymaniyyih, an event reminiscent of Jesus's being led up into the wilderness at the start of His mission (Matt. 4:1). For a period of two years Baha'u'llah remained there, in preparation for the decades of sacrifice He would be called upon to make. Of that time, He wrote: (1:17) see

From My eyes there rained tears of anguish, and in My bleeding heart surged an ocean of agonizing pain. Many a night I had no food for sustenance, and many a day My body found no rest.. Alone I communed with My spirit, oblivious of the world and all that is therein. (gpb 120) (1:19)

Upon His return to Baghdad, Baha'u'llah was determined to regenerate the community of His followers, who had become disheartened and confused in His absence, and to reveal the Teachings He was ordained to give for this Day, Teachings which would guide mankind to the Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. The tablets and books comprising the complete Writings that convey these Teachings amount to about one hundred volumes. (1:20)

Every efeort was made by the clergy, by the Shah of Persia, and by the Ottoman Emperor to oppose Baha'u'llah and His Teachings. Twenty thousand of the early followers-men, women, and children-were brutally killed. Following Baha'u'llah's exile to Baghdad, He was sent to Constantinople, then to Adrianople, and finally to the Turkish penal colony of 'Akka (now a city in northern Israel), where the authorities hoped that He and His Faith would quickly die. During His forty years of imprisonment and exile, though He was constantly persecuted, having been at times scourged, stoned, poisoned, deprived of even the barest necessities of life, He continued to manifest sacrificial love for all peoples: (1:21)

We, verily, have come for your sakes, and have borne the misfortunes of the world for your salvation. (tbh 10) (1:22)

So intense were His sufferings in the prison city of 'Akka that He has referred to it as the "Most Great Prison". Of the significance of His suffering, He writes: (1:23)

The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold 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, O believers in the Unity of God, 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 that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities! (gwb 99) (1:24) see

During the nineteenth century, the vast majority of the human race lived under the rule of kings. Baha'u'llah addressed these rulers through letters that He sent to them while in exile. He proclaimed that He had been chosen by God to deliver to mankind the teachings that would unite the world: (1:25)

That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.This can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician. (pob 67-68) (1:26)

Through all the affliction and hardship He endured during the forty years of His ministry, in all the situations which presented to Him the real danger of losing His life, Baha'u'llah never sought to protect Himself. And no matter what the religious leaders or government authorities attempted to do, nothing could be done to stop Baha'u'llah's growing influence. Banishment after banishment failed to halt the increasing number of people who recognized His power and majesty and were attracted to His teachings. (1:27)

Baha'u'llah passed away in 1892. His Shrine, which is visited by peoples from all over the world, is located near the city of 'Akka. (1:28)

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