Baha'u'llah & the New Era by -J. Esslemont- 5 Para

["Day"; meanings of]
The word "Day" in such phrases as "Day of God" is interpreted as meaning "Dispensation." Each of the great religion-founders has His "Day." Each is like a sun. His teachings have their dawn, their truth gradually illumines more and more minds.. until they attain the zenith of their influence. Then they gradually become obscured.. and darkness overshadows the earth.. The day of the Supreme Manifestation of God is the Last Day.. (218:3)

Christ spoke much in parables about a great Day of Judgment when "the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father.. (Matt xvi:27) (219:1)

"...so shall it be in the end of this world (consummation of the age). The Son of man shall send forth his angels.. there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt xiii:40-43) (219:2)

The phrase "end of the world" used in the Authorized Version of the Bible in this and similar passages has led many to suppose that when the Day of Judgment comes, the earth will suddenly be destroyed, but this is evidently a mistake. The true translation of the phrase appears to be "the consummation or end of the age." Christ teaches that the Kingdom.. is to be established on earth, as well as in heaven. He teaches us to pray: "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." In the parable of the vineyard, when the Father, the Lord of the vineyard, comes to destroy the wicked husbandmen, He does not destroy the vineyard (the world) also, but lets it out to other husbandmen, who will render Him the fruits in their season. The earth is not to be destroyed, but to be renewed and regenerated.. (219:3)

In the Baha'i interpretation, the coming of each Manifestation of God is a Day of Judgment, but the coming of the Supreme Manifestation of Baha'u'llah is the great Day of Judgment.. (220:1)

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