|
The word 'flesh' is commonly interpreted literally. Therefore some Christians have, for example, correlated the development of atomic weapons with this prophecy, because these weapons have the potential to destroy all flesh on earth. However, it should be remembered that Paul used such terminology when he spoke of the Church: 'For we are members of His body, and His flesh and of His bones' (Eph. 5:29-30). In the opinion of this writer, Jesus is simply conveying the graveness of the tests that lie ahead and which will nearly extinguish people's faith in God, the true 'flesh' and bones of the Church. The outward form of the religion may remain but its real meaning and practice become increasingly ignored and rejected. (93:2) The Meaning of Tribulation-- In The Book of Certitude, Baha'u'llah elaborates on the meaning of chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew. The term 'tribulation' is rendered according to its actual Greek meaning 'oppression'. Therefore, in The Book of Certitude, the verse reads 'immediately after the oppression of those days'.Baha'u'llah indicates that the oppression, or tribulation, is a time when people seek spiritual truth but can find no sure guidance. This, Baha'u'llah explains, is chiefly because leaders of humankind, both religious and secular, have become corrupt and self-seeking as well as simply ignorant of the true meaning of Scripture. The appearance of false Christs, false prophets, and of what Paul terms 'deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons' suggests that the latter times, the tribulation, will be a time of great spiritual confusion and destruction. It is this confusion which Baha'u'llah suggests is the primary meaning of 'tribulation'. It is a greater calamity for souls to be lost to deception and confusion than for bodies to be lost to destruction. Baha'u'llah explains: (93:3) As to the words - 'Immediately after the oppression of those days' - they refer to the time when men shall become oppressed and afflicted, the time when the lingering traces of the Sun of Truth and the fruit of the Tree of knowledge and wisdom will have vanished from the midst of men, when the reins of mankind will have fallen into the grasp of the foolish and ignorant, when the portals of divine unity and understanding -the essential and highest purpose in creation - will have been closed, when certain knowledge will have given way to idle fancy, and corruption will have usurped the station of righteousness. Such a condition as this is witnessed in this day when the reins of every community have fallen into the grasp of foolish leaders, who lead after their own whims and desire. On their tongue the mention of God hath become an empty name; in their midst His holy Word a dead letter.(Certitude 29)
(93:4)
|