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Satan (the Devil) (4:37)

The objection that Bahá'u'lláh may be an agent of Satan is the same objection that the people of Jesus' time raised against Him for the same reasons (4:38)

Let us look at what the Bible says about Satan. First, we should know that "Devil" and "Satan" refer to the same thing: (4:39)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (rev 12:9) (4:40) see

Next, let us look at the characteristics that Satan has: (4:41)

He [the devil].. has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. (joh 8:44) (4:42) see

We know that there is no truth in Satan. We also know that Bahá'u'lláh teaches the truth by glorifying Jesus, by teaching that Jesus is the Son of God and that the Bible is divinely inspired. Therefore, the belief that Bahá'u'lláh is Satan is not biblically founded (4:43)

Paul States:
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1co 12:3) (4:44) see

Bahá'u'lláh does call Jesus Lord:
Reflect upon the One Who was the Spirit of God [Jesus]. Though He showed forth the utmost compassion and tenderness, yet they rose up against that Essence of Being and Lord of the seen and unseen, in such a manner that He could find no refuge wherein to rest. (pdc 83) (4:45) see

The following passages shed light on who and what Satan is: (4:46)

From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that he must go into Jerusalem.. and be killed. Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned and said unto Peter, 'Get thee behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men. (mat 16:21-23) (4:47) see

Here, Christ calls Peter "Satan" because Peter is on the side of man, and not on the side of God. But certainly we don't believe that Peter was actually Satan. Christ uses the word "Satan" symbolically in order to convey that it is satanic to reject the Will of God (4:48)

Other verses in the Bible can be interpreted symbolically to illustrate the teaching that Satan is a symbol for evil: (4:49)

In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. (2co 4:4) (4:50) see

"Satan" can therefore be interpreted as the act of turning away from God, which, as in the case of Peter, is ultimately the source of evil. Where does Jesus say that evil comes from? Our own hearts: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. (mat 15:19) (4:51) see

If our heart is in the wrong place, attached to the things of this world, attached to the self and selfish desires, then from our hearts will proceed evil. Evil does not have an independent existence, but rather it is the absence of good, just as darkness is the absence of light: (4:53)

Darkness is the absence of light: when there is no light, there is darkness. Light is an existing thing, but darkness is nonexistent. Wealth is an existing thing, but poverty is nonexisting. Good exists; evil is nonexistent. (saq 264) (4:54) see

The Bahá'í Writings confirm that Satan exists, but that it does so not as a person or entity, but as the condition of evil: (4:55)

The whisperings of Satan have been breathed to every creature. (bpr 216) (4:56) see

Be fair in your judgment. Every good thing is of God, and every evil thing is from yourselves. (gwb 149:1) (4:57) see

Just as Jesus warned that evil comes out of the heart, the word "Satan," in the Bahá'í Writings, describes the state of being in which a human being has submitted to his or her lower nature. We know that this power can blind the minds of them who believe not (4:58)

Indeed the actions of man himself breed a profusion of satanic power. For were men to abide by and observe the Divine teachings, every trace of evil would vanish from the face of the earth. However, the widespread differences that exist among mankind and the prevalence of sedition, contention and conflict, and the like are the primary factions which provoke the appearance of the satanic spirit. (tbh 176) (4:59) see

If his morals become spiritual in character, his aspirations heavenly, and his actions conformable with the will of God, man has attained the image and likeness of his Creator; otherwise, he is the image and likeness of Satan. Therefore Christ hath said, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits.' (pup 335-336) (4:60) see

We must look to Biblical proofs as the standard by which to judge Bahá'u'lláh and not follow the example of those who rejected Jesus without justification (4:61)

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