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Revelation 11:13 thus provides an interesting example of Baha'i interpretation because it is among a number of prophecies which Baha'is regard as having been fulfilled literally. Nevertheless, its significance does not come from its literal reality alone but, primarily, from the reality it symbolizes. In the opinion of this writer, this is an extremely important point with regard to interpretation. It suggests that physical reality can act as a symbol for spiritual reality. Symbols are used in prophecies to express events of great spiritual significance which will occur in the future. But they can also find an outward fulfilment in history. The outward and seemingly literal fulfilment is not the actual fulfilment in itself, but rather is used as a symbol of the spiritual fulfilment. (170:1) Therefore, it can be argued that the literal earthquake in Shiraz is not in itself what Revelation 11:13 prophesied but, rather, it is a tangible symbol of the spiritual reality that the Book of Revelation did prophesy. Without the appearance of the Bab, the earthquake would have had no more significance than any other earthquake. This point should be kept in mind when reading Scripture in general.
(170:2)
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