CHAPTER 16- THE END OF THE AGE

SYNOPSIS:
After revealing the name of the Divine Reaper in the previous chapter, the Apocalypse now summarizes the dramatic events surrounding the Advents of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. The time setting of the drama is the mid-19th century; the place settings are in the regions of Persia, Turkey and Iraq. It is to be revealed in 7 Acts, each supported by one of the plague angels.

The first plague is the religious controversy that befalls those fanatics in the Muslim world who have been deceived by the 'image of the beast,' the spiritual descendants of the House of 'Abbas.

The second plague befalls all of mankind, the spiritual annihilation of the souls of 'every living creature' that must precede the creation of a new spiritual world.

The third plague befalls the corrupt clerics of every religious Faith. Their teachings are transmuted from life-giving 'water' into death-dealing 'blood.'

The fourth plague is the spiritual torment that befalls the corrupt clerics of 19th century Persia, causing many to blaspheme the name of 'Allah.

The fifth plague is the spiritual torment and darkness that befalls the corrupt clerics of the 19th century sacerdotal order centered at Istanbul.

The sixth plague is the loss of spirituality that befalls the Babi community exiled to Baghdad and its environs. This plague is accompanied by diabolical deceptions characteristic of the Umayyah; confusion is created among the Babis by the claims of the false prophet Mirza Yahya.

The Advent of Baha'u'llah is announced. He enters and departs the world stage 'unseen' like a thief in the night.

The seventh and final plague is the 'piling up of sorrow' that befalls the entire human race, caused by false teachings and lies, the effects of which are being experienced today. Every human being experiences the 'test of the talent' foretold by Jesus Christ during his physical sojourn on earth.

[A detailed history of these events can be found in Shoghi Effendi's masterpiece, GOD PASSES BY. This dark period of history can hardly be visualized by the modern reader. Travelers {1} described the region as technologically backward, and often with despotic governments and corrupted priesthoods. Thanks to progressive 20th century leadership, the conditions that abounded there 150-years ago no longer prevail.]

THE PLAGUE ANGELS ARE GIVEN MARCHING ORDERS:
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. -Rev 16:1

The voice out of the heavenly Tabernacle is that of the Divine Reaper, Baha'u'llah.

THE FIRST PLAGUE:
And the first went, and poured his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon those which worshipped his image. -Rev 16:2

Those with the mark of the beast refers to the Sunni sacerdotal order, under the control of the caliphate seated at Istanbul. Those who worshipped the image of the beast refers to the independent Shi'ah sacerdotal order centered in Persia. Recall that the first beast was the House of Umayyah, while the image of the beast was the House of 'Abbas. The two mainstream 19th century sacerdotal orders were the spiritual descendants and historical analogues of the beast and the image of the beast.

The noisome and grievous sore caused by the first plague angel was the clamor of religious controversy and the sore of spiritual distress that beset the Muslim world following the Declaration of the Bab. Some estimates claim that more than 20- thousand devotees of the Bab were martyred, a great many under the severest of tortures.

THE SECOND PLAGUE:
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. -Rev 16:3

The second plague angel empties his vial upon the realm of the spirit, and every living creature in that realm is caused to expire.

It is one of the great mysteries of history that each Manifestation of God is the torchbearer of a new civilization.{2} For example, Jesus brought a Christian civilization into existence. In order for this to come about, the 'old world' of classical civilization had to be destroyed, sacrificed, to make way for a 'new world.' The inhabitants of the old world were totally unaware of the cataclysmic event, but the event would become apparent to future historians.

In verse 3 we are informed of a much more profound cataclysm- the 'death' of EVERY living soul in the spiritual realm. This astonishing event will attend the Manifestation of the Divine Reaper, and is apparently unique to history. "Consider the hour at which the supreme Manifestation of God (Baha'u'llah) revealeth Himself unto men .... at the very moment preceding His Revelation, each and every created thing shall be made to yield up its soul to God. This is indeed the Day of which it hath been written: 'Whose shall be the Kingdom this Day?' And none can be found to answer."

But following His Advent, a new world was created: "Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days." However, not every soul will necessarily be endowed with 'life' in the new world. In a prayer He says, "Praise be unto Thee, O my God! Thou art He Who by a word of his mouth hath revolutionized the entire creation, and by a stroke of His pen hath divided Thy servants one from another. I bear witness, O my God, that through a word spoken by Thee in this Revelation all created things were made to expire, and through yet another word all such as Thou didst wish were, by Thy grace and bounty, endued with new life." -BH {3}

THE THIRD PLAGUE:
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shall be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they art worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. -Rev 16:4-7

The third plague angel empties his vial upon the mainstreams of spiritual guidance- the corrupted clergy and priesthood. They are the secret oppressors of the saints and prophets, and their teachings are transmuted from the water of life into the blood of death.

THE FOURTH PLAGUE:
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory. -Rev 16:8-9

The fourth angel empties his vial upon the land of Persia, whose emblem is the sun. The bigoted and defiled among the Persian clergy are made to feel the fire of spiritual torment. Even so, they fail to repent of their malicious deeds and to submit to the Will of 'Allah.

The Babi Revelation was born on May 23, 1844 in Shiraz, Persia. The claims of the Bab, the turmoil caused in Islamdom, and the rapidity with which the new Faith gained followers, caused the corrupted clergy to react violently. The help of the Shah was enlisted in an attempt to destroy the Faith of the Bab. The results were armed attacks upon His followers and popular uprisings in Nayriz, Mazindaran and Zanjan. Mass persecutions, torture and martyring were involved. Ultimately, the Bab was martyred in the public square of Tabriz on July 9, 1850.

THE FIFTH PLAGUE:
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues in pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. -Rev 16:10-11

[REB: 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast; ...]

The fifth plague angel empties his vial onto Istanbul where both the caliphate and sultanate are seated. The regime of the Ottomans now experiences the same spiritual pain and darkness that had beset the regime of the Shah.

As a consequence of the martyrdom of the Bab and the severe persecutions inflicted on the Babis, in August of 1852, two obscure and demented Babis made a futile attempt on the life of the Shah. The results were renewed persecutions and the imprisonment of leading Babis, including Baha'u'llah. It was during His imprisonment in the Black Pit of Teheran, 1852-3, that the 'Maiden of Heaven' appeared to Baha'u'llah and He became the Promised One of All Ages.

On His release from the Black Pit, He was exiled to Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq was then a Turkish province. Shortly thereafter, the Sultan of Turkey and his ministers, as well as the Sunni sacerdotal order, joined hands with the Shah and the Shiah clericals of Persia and Iraq in an endeavor to stamp out, once and for all, the Faith and all it stood for. The result was a further wave of repressive measures.

THE SIXTH PLAGUE:
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. -Rev 16:12

The sixth plague angel empties his vial onto the region of the Euphrates river. The water of spirituality is dried up, clearing the way for the Kings of the East, Baha'u'llah and His Successors. {4}

Following His exile in Baghdad on the banks of the Euphrates, the Babi community in exile lost its spirituality. Because of internal conflicts and bickering, Baha'u'llah left the Babi exiles and spent exactly two lunar years (1854-5) wandering in the mountain wilderness of Kurdistan. The way was being prepared for the return of Baha'u'llah and His public Declaration.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. -Rev 16:13-14

The 'frogs' allude to the curse of Moses on the land of pharaoh, recounted in Exodus. {5} Although Moses and Aaron had this power over Pharaoh, so did the magicians of Egypt.{6} These unclean 'frogs' represent false teachings and deceptions. Miracles are wonders; here they are not of divine origin.

The dragon and the beast refer to those clerics of Islamdom who will be under the influence of satanic forces. The false prophet is introduced as yet another competitor for the minds and souls of men.

Although several would-be 'Prophets' arose to proclaim themselves to be the One foretold by the Bab, "the One Whom God will make manifest," the most notorious was the nominal head of the Babi Faith, the false prophet Mirza Yahya. Through the influence and intrigues of his henchman, the crafty and diabolical Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani, Mirza Yahya succeeded in causing a serious breach in the ranks of the Babis-in-exile and prevented many of the very elect from recognizing the new Manifestation, Baha'u'llah. Reminiscent of the Surih of Joseph as interpreted by the Bab, Mirza Yahya was a half-brother of Baha'u'llah, and, as prophesied by the Bab, the plots of Mirza Yahya and Muhammad-i-Isfahani ended in ignominious failure.

The Great Day of God Almighty is the Day of God, the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah.

HE COMES 'AS A THIEF':
15 (Ph) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. -Rev 16:15

[REB: 15 ('See, I am coming as a thief! ... ')]

The verse is parenthetical and calls for special understanding. It refers to the prophecy by Jesus that the Son of Man may return as a 'thief.' {7} A 'thief' is one who enters and departs 'unseen.' It warns us that the Advent of the Divine Reaper will not be apparent to the world at large, although, ultimately, the historical facts will become known.

The Babi community left behind in Baghdad continued to decline in spirituality and prestige. Finally, after two years of pleading by the Babis, Baha'u'llah was induced to return. Following His return from the mountain wilderness of Kurdistan, Baha'u'llah, through His teachings and spiritual power, was able to renew the Faith of God. Hatred, fear, and jealousy of the renewed vigor of the Babi community by the corrupt Muslim clergy resulted in further persecutions and banishments of Baha'u'llah, first to Istanbul, thence to Adrianople, and finally to the prison city of 'Akka, near Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, thereby fulfilling many prophecies. {8}

However, before Baha'u'llah began His arduous journey to Istanbul, He revealed himself as the 'One Whom God will make manifest' foretold by the Bab. His public Declaration took place at the Festival of Paradise, April 21 to May 2, 1863.

It is interesting that He departed from the 'land of the Euphrates' immediately thereafter, going into further exile and virtual invisibility. Even His incredibly direct and powerful Tablets to the rulers of the world revealing His mission went unnoticed. Truly, Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, like a thief, entered and departed unseen.

MUSTERING FOR ARMAGEDDON:
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. -Rev 16:16

[REB: 16 These spirits assembled the kings at a place called in the Hebrew Armageddon.]

The foul frog-like spirits that dominate the corrupt rulers of the world will bring them and their followers to a great 'mountain of sorrow' like that which befell the Hebrews in the valley of Megiddo.

'Armageddon' is the compound of two Hebrew words 'Har' ('Mountain') and 'Megiddon' (poetic adaptation of 'Megiddo'). The valley of Megiddo was the scene of great suffering by the Hebrews during the reign of Josiah. Hence the 'Mountain of Megiddo' means a great piling up of sorrow.

The verse alludes to and amplifies the wording of Zechariah: "On that day the mourning of Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning over Hadad-Rimmon in the vale of Megiddo." -REB: Zechariah 12:11

The conflict of Armageddon characterizes the world-wide sorrow and distress that will result from false teachings and evil principles. The conflict follows the 'Hour' of Baha'u'llah and the third woe.

Since His Declaration in 1863, the world has indeed witnessed a great piling up of sorrow. These sorrows follow from the destruction of the old world that must precede the rebuilding of a new world based on the principles and Divine Laws enunciated by Baha'u'llah. Among the more notable sorrows have been imperialism and economic exploitation; the Great Depression; two world wars of unprecedented ferocity and suffering; numerous smaller but deadly wars; the rise of communism, naziism and other extremist movements; nuclear weapons; international crime syndicates and drug trafficking; international terrorism; the suffering resulting from class struggle, racial struggle, and genocide on a massive scale; the collapse of marriage attended by unbridled sexuality, the sufferings of children, and widespread abortion; the world-wide pollution of the air, the soil, and the oceans. These sorrows are by no means finished, and the testimony of the righteous is not yet complete.

THE SEVENTH PLAGUE:
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. -Rev 16:17-18

The seventh plague angel empties his vial into the air, meaning that the afflictions to follow will not be localized but will be world-wide. John hears the voices of those who fall into trials and temptations, the thunder of the violation of the Covenant, and the lightning of the anger and wrath of God. There is a great earthquake of doubts and disturbances in the world of man.

THE FALL OF BABYLON:
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague was exceeding great. -Rev 16:19-21

The great city is Babylon, the civilization of the corrupted Word of God. Profane civilization will degenerate into three parts personified as the 'three false gods,' Nationalism, Racialism and Communism.{9} Cities are institutions; islands are places of refuge in a sea of chaos, that is, churches; mountains are the great religions of the world. "So blind hath become the human heart that neither the disruption of the city, nor the reduction of the mountain in dust, nor even the cleaving of the earth, can shake off its torpor." -BH {10}

The hail is a rain of great spiritual tests. The word 'talent' comes from the Greek 'talanton'- a balance, or a thing to be weighed; hence it is a symbol of testing. Man will be tested by the Book of God revealed by the Balance, the new Manifestation of God: "In this most perfect balance (the Book of God) whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed." "The All-Merciful is come invested with undoubted sovereignty. The Balance hath been appointed, and all them that dwell on earth have been gathered together." "Say: This is the infallible Balance which the Hand of God is holding, in which all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth are weighed, and their fate determined, if ye be of them that believe and recognize this truth." -BH {11}

The 'talent' in verse 21 alludes to the Parable of the Talents in Matthew. In Matt 16:21, the disciples of Jesus ask Him to reveal the signs of His Second Coming and the time of the end of the Age. In 24:36, Jesus explains that He does not know WHEN the Hour will occur, since only the Father knows that information.

Later, in 25:1, Jesus says (REB)

'When the day comes, the kingdom of Heaven will be like this....'

Then, in verses 25:14-30, He reveals the extremely subtle Parable of the Talents.

In essence, the Parable warns the future devotee at the end of the Piscean Age to risk all in order to gain salvation. The man going abroad (verse 14) is the recurring Son of Man, the Manifestation of God. He disappears from the world stage for an unknown period of time. But before He leaves, He entrusts His capital (spiritual legacy) to His servants (devotees). The distribution is unequal: to one servant He entrusts 5 talents; to another 2 talents; to the third He entrusts only one talent.
The servant with the greatest portion of the capital, the one with 5 talents, risks (invests) the 5 and earns 5 more. The one with 2 talents risks the 2 and earns 2 more. The servant with only one talent plays it safe and buries his portion in the ground.
When the Master returns, the two servants who risked their portions are rewarded (verses 21, 23): "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." The one who had been entrusted with only one talent and had buried his portion, explains (verses 24, 25): "Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid the talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."
Alas, the Lord calls this man a "wicked and slothful servant," confirms that he reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not strawed (verse 26), and explains that this should have been a warning to take a risk. He then takes the talent from the slothful servant and gives it to the one who had already gained 5.

When the Son of Man returns in the "Glory of his Father" {12}, he will reap where he has not sown and gather where he has not strawed. This is the reason for the fear expressed by the third servant, and the reason for the fear of those who reject the Manifestation of the Leo-Aquarian Age. But we should remember the admission of the Master [Jesus] that, he too, reaped where he had not sown and gathered where he had not strawed. Those deprived devotees who bury their small portion of the Master's legacy in the ground of fear and narrow mindedness, will have even that portion taken from them and given to others.

CHAPTER 17- MYSTERIES REVEALED

SYNOPSIS:
What follows is a test of the reader's spiritual and intellectual acuity. If his solutions to past riddles in the Apocalypse are correct, he will be able to solve the riddles in Chapter 17.

The great whore, Babylon, is the civilization created by the corrupted Word of God. She is the mistress of the spiritual and political potentates of the world, and the secret cause of the world's abominations.

The beast that "was" is the Persian Empire initiated by Cyrus the Great.

The beast that "is not" is the Greek empire initiated by Alexander the Great.

The beast that "is" is the Muslim empire initiated by the House of Umayyah.

The great whore sits on the throne of the 7 dominions conquered by the House of Umayyah. But she also rules over the peoples of the 7 Churches of Asia.

Five of the 7 dominions will have fallen after the Revelation and before they are conquered by the Umayyah; one will remain sovereign; one will be a new dominion carved out of West Turkestan, but will exist only until it is destroyed by Genghis Khan.

The Persian-Greek empire will have had 7 un-repeated names of rulers by the time of the caliphate. The Caliph will be the 8th ruler of that empire, yet will represent one of the 7 Churches of Asia.

The House of Umayyah will have 10 un-repeated names of chiefs, beginning with its secret king Abu-Sufyan, and ending with Ibrahim. Similarly, the House of 'Abbas that will take over the empire, will also have 10 un-repeated names of chiefs. The neo-Umayyad caliphate set up in Spain will continue the pattern of 10 un-repeated names.

At the end of the Piscean Age, the illegitimate caliphate will oppose the Bab, but their efforts will fail, because the Bab is a Lord of lords, and King of kings. The Bab will declare an end to the Dispensation of Muhammad; the illegitimate caliphate will be extinguished.

1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth on many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. -Rev 17:1-2

[REB: 1 ... 'I will show you the verdict on the great whore, she who is enthroned over many waters.]

The great whore is Babylon, the wicked city of the corrupted Word of God. She sits enthroned over many nations, populations, races and languages. The world's rulers have made use of her services- intoxicating lies and distortions, to reinforce their power over the masses.

THE WOMAN AND THE BEAST:
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. -Rev 17:3

Scarlet is the color of spiritual beauty in Islamdom. The 7 heads and 10 horns identify her steed at the end of the Piscean Age as the beast of the Apocalypse. The spiritual descendants of Abu-Sufyan, the Destroyer from the House of Umayyah, each bear the blasphemous title 'The Caliph.'

The whore lives in the wilderness of spiritual desolation. "... such souls as tread the valley of arrogance and pride, are lost in the wilds of remoteness, walk in the ways of their idle fancy, and follow the dictates of the leaders of their faith." - BH {1}

THE WOMAN'S APPEARANCE DESCRIBED:
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. -Rev 17:4

The whore is blasphemously arrayed in the purple of royalty and the scarlet of spiritual beauty. She is bedecked with precious gifts bestowed upon her by her clientele, the corrupt priesthood and temporal leaders. She carries a beautiful cup containing the intoxicating brew of her perversions.

SHE IS BABYLON: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. -Rev 17:5

The verse explains that the great whore Babylon, the corrupted Word of God, is the secret source of all the world's abominations.

A RIDDLE:
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not: and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. -Rev 17:6-8

The beast that "was" is the Persian empire, {2} which was initiated by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE.

The beast that "is not" is the empire of Alexander the Great, who conquered the Persian empire in 331 BCE; Alexander's empire was dismantled shortly after his untimely death less than a decade later.

The beast that shall ascend out of the pit of error is the illegitimate caliphate, initiated by the House of Umayyah in 661 CE.

The riddle describes the Umayyad empire as a continuation of the Persian empire, which, indeed, resembled it in culture, structure and prosperity. The incursion of Alexander, although introducing enduring cultural artifacts, in the perspective of history, was little more than a temporary interruption.

The angel explains that the Persian empire was, is not, and yet will be revived. Ultimately, the illegitimate caliphate that will rule the revived Persian empire, will be destroyed (go into perdition). Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will marvel when they behold the Persian empire come into existence a second time.

9 And here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings; five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. -Rev 17:9-11

[REB: 9 'This calls for a mind with insight. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits enthroned. 10 They also represent seven kings: five have already fallen, one is now reigning, and the other has not yet come. When he does come, he is to last for only a little while. 11 As for the beast that was once alive and is alive no longer, he is an eighth- and yet is one of the seven, and he is going to destruction.]

The riddle concerns the steed on which the corrupted Word is mounted. John is told that the 7 heads represent both 7 mountains and 7 kings.

A 'mountain' is a symbol of a Faith. Thus he is told that the corrupted Word of God will dominate all of the 7 Churches of Asia that are listed in Chapter 1.

A king governs a dominion, and thus there must be 7 dominions. These are the 7 dominions governed by the House of Umayyah. We have already listed these dominions in a previous chapter. Of the 7 dominions, 5 will have fallen and will be under the control of foreign powers before their conquest by the beast. These were the Roman-Byzantine dominion around Damascus (Palestine and part of Syria), the dominions of Arabia, Egypt, Africa (Libya), and Andalusia (Spain). One dominion 'is' and remains sovereign until the hour of the beast. This was Persia. The dominion which 'is not yet come' was Transoxania. It will 'continue a short space,' meaning that it will cease to exist with the invasion of Genghis Khan in 1218-1220 CE. {3}

The beast that 'was and is not' was the Persian empire and its successor, the empire of Alexander. It had kings with 7 un-repeated names: Cyrus, Cambyses, Gaumata, Darius, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and Alexander. Therefore the Caliph became the eighth 'king' of the Persian empire. And yet he is 'one of the seven,' meaning that his empire is Islam, one of the seven Churches of Asia.

Verse 11 says that (eventually) the beast will be destroyed. The caliphate was abolished by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on March 2, 1924, less than three years after the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. -Rev 17:12

The angel explains to John that the 10 horns represent the un-repeated names of rulers who will receive ephemeral power from the beast, the illegitimate caliphate initiated by the House of Umayyah. At the time of the Revelation, circa 104 CE, these rulers had not yet appeared but would appear starting with the hour of the beast, circa 661 CE.

We have already listed these 10 un-repeated names in previous chapters. Summarizing very briefly, the first beast was the creation of the archenemy of Muhammad, Abu-Sufyan, the 'Destroyer' and the secret 'king' over the House of Umayyah (Rev 9:11). His name is un-repeated in the list of chiefs. After the murder of 'Ali, there were 14 Caliphs from the House of Umayyah, but with only 9 more un-repeated names of chiefs, beginning with Mu'awiya, the son of Abu-Sufyan, and ending with Ibrahim.

In the 'wounded head that healed,' the Cordoban caliphate in Spain, there were 18 neo-Umayyad Caliphs, but again with only 10 un-repeated names of chiefs, beginning with 'Abd al-Rahman and ending with Sulayman.

With the usurpation of the caliphate by the second beast, the House of 'Abbas, there were 10 Caliphs with 10 un-repeated names of chiefs, beginning with As-Saffa and ending with Al-Mutawakkil.

Thus the pattern of 10 names was repeated (at least) 3 times in the formative history of Islamdom. {4}

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. -Rev 17:13-14

Verse 14 reminds us of the 'war' that the beast will make against the Lamb, recounted in Chapter 12. We recall that the Bab, being a Lord of lords, and King of kings {5}, was also the re-manifestation of the Twelfth Imam who mysteriously disappeared while still a child in the year 260 AH. "Verily He (the Bab) is the King of the Messengers and His Book is the Mother Book, did ye but know." "... the Ancient Beauty appeared in the year sixty (1260 AH), in the person of 'Ali-Muhammad, the Bab." "Thy Lord, the Most High (the Bab), addresseth thee, from His realm of glory ..." "... this, the Lord of days, ... the Day in which the Beauty of the All-Glorious shone forth in the exalted person of 'Ali-Muhammad, the Bab." -BH {6}

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. -Rev 17:15

This defines the sea of humanity, verse 17:1. The corruption of the Word of God is ubiquitous, not limited to any single race, nation or culture.

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. -Rev 17:16-17

The spiritual descendants of Abu-Sufyan, the Destroyer, will detest the corrupted Word of God, will make her spiritually desolate, and will condemn her with fiery words. God has ordained that they shall satisfy His Will and agree with each other, giving their dominions to the illegitimate caliphate until the end of the Piscean Age.

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. -Rev 17:18

The great whore is identified as Babylon, the corrupted Word of God. She is the secret Mistress of the governors of the world.

CHAPTER 18- THE DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON

SYNOPSIS:
This chapter announces the destruction of the great whore, Babylon, the wicked city [civilization] of the corrupted Word of God.

The fall of her city is announced by a mighty angel [Gabriel?]. Her services have been used by the powerful and rich of the earth. The people of the earth are invited to assist in the administration of her punishment.

The great whore pretended that she was still a fertile source of civilization, and that the Covenant was still her husband. Therefore her destruction will come at the last Day, the Hour of Judgement. The rich and powerful of the earth will be saddened by her demise, and the merchandise of her civilization will no longer be in demand.

The corrupted Word will be 'thrown into the sea' because she has caused the spiritual downfall of so many souls of the world. The music glorifying the Churches will be silenced, and marriages will no longer be performed under her laws. Her great secret, that she was the hidden cause of war and martyrdom of the righteous, will become evident to all.

BABYLON IS FALLEN!
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. -Rev 18:1-3

Perhaps it is the archangel Gabriel, the Announcer, who informs John of the collapse of Babylon. Her city is twice fallen; fallen in heaven and fallen in earth.

Birds are likened to souls or spirits, and may be unclean; "... We have warned the faithful to anticipate the appearance of the Birds of Darkness. There can be no doubt whatever that the croaking of the Raven shall be raised in certain lands, as it hath been heard in recent years." "Like the bats of darkness, they lift not their heads from the couch except to pursue the transient things of the world, and find no rest by night except as they labor to advance the aims of their sordid life."

But birds can also represent clean souls or spirits: "Bursting through his cage, he will, even as the bird of the spirit, wing his flight to his holy and everlasting nest. -BH {1}

Since Baha'u'llah seized power over the spiritual realm in 1863, the material realm has witnessed a dramatic decline in the fortunes of the ecclesiastics and temporal rulers. The decline is world-wide, but the decline in the Christian world will be more evident to Western readers. Students of modern history of the last 150 years have long marveled at the sudden collapse of institutions and governments that had roots as remote as the Middle Ages. The Churches of Christendom have witnessed a decline in the power of their leaders, starting with Pope Pius IX who lost his dominion over the Papal States to Garibaldi in 1871, while the Russian Orthodox Church lost its power to the Bolsheviks in 1917. Protestant denominations have fared no better, and have lost their ability to influence governments and the morality of the citizenry at large. 'Revivalist' movements, whether from the left or the right, have had little enduring effect, and we witness the rear guard actions of Christendom in disarray and defeat.

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. -Rev 18:3

Every civilization requires a guiding image. The guiding image determines the cultural values, and the standards of personal interactions of her citizens. The guiding image also sets the goals of the government, and forms the basis of the legal codes and the definition of 'justice.' On a more palpable level, the guiding image determines which material artifacts are 'goods' and which are not, thereby regulating the standards of industry, the media, the government and the arts, and, consequently, the distribution of money, power, influence and commitments.

The guiding image ought to be the Truth enunciated in the uncorrupted Word of God, or else it will create a tyranny, a war machine, or some other satanic form of social organization. And even though a civilization may have been launched by a divinely inspired image, the depletion of Truth through overlays of humanly-limited theological speculation, misinterpretation, or deliberate falsification will inevitably destroy her beauty and integrity, and she will become intolerable.

It is because of the depletion of Truth that mankind has experienced repeated disasters during past Ages, and, in particular, the schizoid journey of the Piscean Age.

AN INVITATION:
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. -Rev 18:4-5

[REB: 6 Pay her back in her own coin, repay her twice over for her deeds! Give her a potion twice as strong as the one she mixed.]

The victims of the injustice created by the corrupted Word of God are warned to withdraw from her in order to avoid her plagues and sufferings. Furthermore, they are invited to join in the administration of those plagues which will befall her in her final destruction.

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. -Rev 18:7

The verse uses symbols of Isaiah, {2} indicating the parallel of her fall with that of Babylon of the Chaldeans, her sorcerers, magicians and astrologers. The great whore pretended that she was still fertile, that her husband the Lamb was still alive, and that she was the Queen of the Covenant.

HER JUDGEMENT:
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. -Rev 18:8

The great whore will be destroyed at the Last Day, and she will be burned with the fire of spiritual torment.

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. -Rev 18:9-10

The judgment of the whore will come with the Hour of the Divine Reaper. Smoke is a palpable sign. Her destruction will be apparent to everyone who has eyes to see.

THE LAMENT OF THE MERCHANTS AND SEAMEN:
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise anymore: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. 13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! - Rev 18:11-16

[REB: 13 "..... and human lives."]

The merchants and traders of the Piscean Age have been made rich by making use of false doctrine, the services of the whore. The verses describe some of their commodities of luxury, and warns the traders in these 'goods' that their wealth and power will be seized from them.

For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, what city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. -Rev 18:17-19

The wealth from the services of the whore of the Piscean Age will not be limited to any one country, nor even to one continent.

THE GREAT MILLSTONE:
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. -Rev 18:20-21

The metaphor of a millstone cast into the sea is used by Jesus in the synoptic Gospels. The great whore will suffer the fate of one who causes the spiritual downfall of another. {3}

But the metaphor used in the context of Revelation suggests a less obvious meaning. The zodiacal wheel is likened to a great millstone. {4} In golden times at the beginning of a new Age, the mill grinds out peace, plenty and happiness. But as times worsen, the mill grinds out salt. Finally, at the end of the Age, it ends up at the bottom of the sea where it creates a vast whirlpool, a Maelstrom, and grinds out rock and sand.

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; and by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. -Rev 18:22-23

The language of Jeremiah {5} is used once again to show the parallel to a Fall. But in Jeremiah's prophecy, the Fall is to be that of Israel to Babylon. In the context of Revelation, the physical city of Babylon will be a ruin as explained by Jeremiah. {6} It is the fall of a spiritual Babylon, the civilization created by the corrupted Word of God, that will fall at the end of the Piscean Age. The music played in glorification of the whore will be silenced. Those industries dependent upon her will grind to a halt. The Light of Guidance that she blasphemously carried will be snuffed out, and marriages will no longer be sanctified under her laws.

THE TRUE CULPRIT:
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. -Rev 18:24

We are again reminded that the corrupted Word of God is the secret cause of war and the murders of the righteous.

CHAPTER 19- THE TRIUMPH OF BAHA'U'LLAH

SYNOPSIS:
After an introductory salutation, a 'wedding' between the Covenant and the purified and cleansed Word of God is announced. Those who are invited to the wedding feast are blessed.

The 'Master' who is to preside over the feast is introduced. He is Baha'u'llah, who rides the white horse of Divine doctrine, but now called Faithful and True. Several of his attributes are described, and in particular his 'vesture dipped in blood,' signifying that he is the 'long lost Joseph' now returning in triumph and power. Since he is the Lord of Hosts, he is accompanied by his retinue of 'heavenly hosts'.

His servant, the angel 'in the sun,' invites the social rejects and disenfranchised to the feast, just as foretold by Jesus in the Parable of the Wedding Feast. The repast of the feast is to be the villains of past Ages, the clients of the great whore- the corrupted Word of God.

Again, the final struggle for the minds and souls of men is alluded to. The battle is joined, and the villains of the Piscean Age are vanquished. The true meaning of the 'feast' thereby becomes manifest.

PRAISE UNTO GOD:
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God; For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia, and her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. -Rev 19:1-5

The voice out of the throne is that of Baha'u'llah, the Bird of the Celestial Throne. He is to be the spokesman for God during the Leo-Aquarian Age.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. -Rev 19:6

The voice of many waters and mighty thunderings is that of the Manifestations of God, and their many peoples, nations and languages.

THE BRIDE IS READIED:
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. -Rev 19:7-8

The language of Isaiah {1} is used here. The corrupted daughter of Babylon, cleansed and purified, is to be reunited with her husband, the eternal Covenant. The Lamb's Bride is to be the mother of a new civilization, a 'new Jerusalem.' It will replace the corrupted civilization of Babylon.

The symbolism of white linen is revealed.

THOSE INVITED TO THE WEDDING FEAST:
9 And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. -Rev 19:9

[REB: 9 The angel said to me, 'Write this: "Happy are those who are invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb!" ' He added, 'These are the very words of God.' 10 I prostrated myself to worship him, but he said, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your brothers who bear witness to Jesus. It is God you must worship. For those who bear witness to Jesus have the spirit of prophecy.']

The angel alludes to Jesus' Parable of the Feast. {2} John is told that the words are from God, and he proceeds to prostrate himself before the messenger. However, John is admonished for this act, and reminded to worship the Originator of the message and not the Messenger. A true witness to the Prophethood of Jesus, will, himself, have the spirit of prophecy, and will look to God, the real Source of the Prophetic Spirit. During his earthly sojourn, Jesus often attempted to make his devotees understand this distinction:

"When you have lifted up the Son of Man you will know that I am what I am. I do nothing on my own authority, but in all I say, I have been taught by my Father." "To believe in me, is not to believe in me but in him who sent me; ..." -REB: John 8:28, 12:44

THE MASTER OF THE FEAST:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. -Rev 19:11

Baha'u'llah is the Lord of Hosts, that is, the Lord of the Heavenly Armies. He is shown riding a white horse, a symbol of spiritual power and authority. Whereas in Chapter 6, the rider of the white horse was the corrupted Church, now the horse is ridden by Faithful and True, a synonym for many of the titles of Baha'u'llah.

Examples of his titles that are equivalent to 'Faithful and True' are: Bearer of the Trust of God, Fountain of the Root of Knowledge, Well Spring of Revelation, Bird of the Throne, Word of Truth, Sun of Truth, Day Star of Divine Revelation.

'Faithful and True' (Greek 'Pistos kai Alethinos') has a literal value of 1269 by gematria and an archetypal value of 9, the Seal of Baha'u'llah. There may be a double-entendre here; 1269 AH is also the date of the third woe, the Revelation to Baha'u'llah in the Black Pit.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. -Rev 19:12

'Eyes as a flame of fire' was introduced in 1:14 and 2:18, and describes the stunning eyes of Baha'u'llah. The many crowns he wears are his many titles and his sovereignty over the Divinely revealed Faiths of the world.

360 variants of the word 'Baha'' ('Glory') were written by the Bab on his mystic Tablet called the 'White Stone' (2:17). When this Tablet was delivered to his devotees, only 'Husayn-'Ali knew that the name referred to him, and that the Tablet revealed the Name of the next Manifestation.

The Covenant is always transmitted through the Ages by the 'White Stone.' Although false prophets will always claim the 'White Stone' as their own, only the True Prophet, the Manifestation of God, is capable of revealing its hidden contents and through the power of His Utterance prove that its concealed Name refers only to Himself.

HIS VESTURE:
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God. -Rev 19:13

His 'vesture dipped in blood' alludes to the cloak of Joseph. {3} In the Genesis story, the brothers of Joseph become jealous over a beautiful multicolored cloak given to him by their father Jacob. They hatch a plot to get rid of Joseph and throw him into a pit in the wilderness. In order to explain the disappearance of Joseph to their father, they soak the cloak in blood as evidence that he had been devoured by a wild beast. The Genesis story goes on to recount the eventual triumph of Joseph over his family in Egypt through the power bestowed upon him by pharaoh.

The story of Joseph is a prophecy of the sufferings of Baha'u'llah and his eventual triumph. As a result of the confiscation of his property, Baha'u'llah was left without even a cloak to wear. His loved ones pieced together a multicolored cloak made of remnants of other garments. The resulting garment was then, literally, dyed red.

Indeed, the sufferings sustained by Baha'u'llah are historic. Though born into a wealthy and powerful family (as was Lord Buddha), his property was confiscated, he was imprisoned in dungeons and jails, bound by massive chains, banished from place to place over a period of 40 years, was the target of numerous conspiracies and attempts on his life, was poisoned twice, and underwent the torture of the bastinado. "By the righteousness of God! The tribulations we have sustained are such that any pen that recounteth them cannot but be overwhelmed with anguish. No one of them that truly believe and uphold the unity of God can bear the burden of their recital. So great have been our sufferings that even the eyes of Our enemies have wept over Us, and beyond them those of every discerning person." -BH {4}

The 'Word of God' (Greek ''O Logos Theou') has a literal value of 927 and an archetypal value of 9, the Seal of Baha'u'llah. Some of the titles of Baha'u'llah that are synonyms for this phrase are: Pen of the Most High, Voice of the Ancient of Days, the Mystic Herald, Voice From the Burning Bush, Fountain of Wisdom, Tongue of Eternity, Spirit of God, Pen of the Most Great Name.

HIS RETINUE:
And the armies which were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. -Rev 19:14-16

The weapon of the Lord of Hosts is the Sword of Truth. Even though his weapon is not physical, he rules the nations with a 'rod of iron,' not with a shepherd's hook. He is the Divine Reaper, and is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.{5}

Baha'u'llah has declared himself, in unequivocal terms, to be 'King of Kings.'{6} Although many have claimed that the title belongs to Jesus, nowhere do we find evidence that Jesus actually claimed this title or any of the other titles implied by these verses. There is substantial evidence in the New Testament that Jesus claimed the title 'Messiah' or 'Christ', but not the title 'King of Kings.'

Paradoxically, the best evidence that Jesus, in truth, was the 'Messiah of the Jews' comes from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah, wherein the spiritual rank of Jesus is exalted in unparalleled terms. Jesus alludes to this paradox in John:

'When the Spirit of Truth comes .... . He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and make it known to you.' -REB: John 16:13,14

HIS DEVOTEES ARE INVITED:
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fouls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God: -Rev 19:17

[REB: 17 .... He cried aloud to all the birds flying in mid- heaven: ...]

The angel stands in the Sun of Truth and invites the birds of 'mid-heaven' to partake of the wedding feast of the Lamb.

In Jesus' Parable of he Wedding Feast, the Master of the household (the Manifestation) invites his friends and colleagues (devotees) to come to a magnificent feast. They all decline, giving one excuse or another. Finally, in anger, the Master tells his servant to

'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame ... I want my house full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall taste my banquet.' -REB: Luke 14:21-24

In 18:2 we learned that the civilization created by the whore of Babylon has become the "cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Now we see that the social rejects and disenfranchised of that civilization are to partake of the feast.

In response to the question, "Where, Lord [is to be the Kingdom of God]?" Jesus answered, "Where the carcass is, there will the vultures gather." -REB: Luke 17:20, 37

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. -Rev 19:18

The social rejects and disenfranchised are invited to consume the 'flesh' of those who have become rich and powerful through the use of false doctrine during the Piscean Age. The four horses and their riders of Chapter 6 are specifically included in the repast (the corrupt religious leaders, the warmongers, the captains of economic injustice, and the ungodly). The repast also includes those socially underprivileged who 'wear the wrong garments' to the feast {7}, that is, those who may be victims but who violate the Covenant.

"For many are invited, but few are chosen." {8}

HIS ENEMIES GATHER FOR BATTLE:
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. -Rev 19:19

The caliphate and the other corrupt powers of the earth gather their forces in an attempt to destroy the Message of Baha'u'llah, the Divine Reaper.

Besides the murders, imprisonments, torture and persecutions of Baha'is in the East, we see the forces of negation starting to gather in the West. 'Bahai-ism' is occasionally attacked from the pulpit; emotionally charged books that falsely label the Baha'i Faith as a 'cult,' or as simply an 'heretical sect of Islam' are now available in bookstores; individuals and groups, both overt and covert, are attacking the Faith through various media.

HIS ENEMIES TAKEN:
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. -Rev 19:20

[REB: 20 The beast was taken prisoner, along with the false prophet who had worked miracles in its presence ...]

The annihilation of the caliphate, and the collapse of the 'Azali' movement (the partisans of Mirza Yahya) are specifically prophesied.

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. -Rev 19:21

The remainder of those named in the indictment of verse 18 are to be vanquished by the Word of God emanating from the Pen of Baha'u'llah, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.{9}

SYNOPSIS:
This chapter reveals the meaning of 'death,' 'resurrection,' the 'second death,' etc., and even gives a brief glimpse of events of the next thousand years! The sequence of events [beginning with the rejection of Jesus], is as follows:{1}

Rejection of Jesus the Messiah = First Death
Acceptance of Baha'u'llah = First Resurrection
Satan bound a thousand years
Judgement of the dead
Rejection of Baha'u'llah - Second Death
The Millennium of Peace
Satan released for a short time
Gog and Magog wage war on the saints
'Fire from heaven' = another Manifestation of God (?)
Second Resurrection
Satan bound a second time

The chapter opens with satanic forces of deception being 'bound' for a thousand years, that is, the 'Millennium.' But we are warned that, afterwards, these negative forces will be loosed once again for a 'little season.'

The power of spiritual dominion during the thousand years is to be given to those 'sitting on thrones,' that is, to the Baha'i Universal House of Justice. The 'psyches' of the righteous of the Piscean Age are to be 'resurrected' and will reign with the Anointed One, Baha'u'llah, during that thousand years.

The remaining 'psyches' will not become 'resurrected' until the end of the thousand years.

After the thousand years, the satanic forces of deception will, once again, be loosed into the world. Another great 'war' is forecast, this time waged by the evil forces of 'Gog and Magog' against the 'camp of the saints' [Mount Carmel?] and the 'beloved city' [Haifa or Jerusalem?]. But 'fire from God' [another Manifestation?] will overpower the satanic forces of Gog and Magog. The 'Deceiver' and the guilty are to be judged and cast into the 'lake of fire' by One sitting on a 'great white throne' [Baha'u'llah or the next Manifestation?].

We recall that in a letter to the Leo-Aquarian Jews (the Church of 'Smyrna'), verse 2:11, those Jews who are able to overcome the false teachings within their Faith will be able to avoid the 'second death.' Their 'first death' followed from their rejection of the healing Message of Jesus. As a consequence, their Temple was destroyed, Jerusalem became a desolate ruin, and they were sent into a world-wide exile that lasted for almost two-millennia. The 'Exile' itself has become their religion, in which they cling to the hope of a 'Messiah,' presumably a genetic descendant of David {2}, who will come to restore their kingdom and the glory of ancient days. Their religion has become a 'dead' religion of tradition, without 'spirit.'

SATAN BOUND A THOUSAND YEARS:
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. -Rev 20:1-3

Following the triumph of Baha'u'llah, the forces of negation and deception will be held in check for a thousand years, the 'Millennium.' But, for a brief time following the thousand years, satanic forces will once again be released into the world of man.

JUDGEMENT AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION:
And I saw thrones, and they that sat on them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they reigned with Christ a thousand years. -Rev 20:4

The power of spiritual dominion will be given to the Baha'i Universal House of Justice who sit on nine THRONES {16} during the Millennium. The 'souls' of the righteous will be 'resurrected' and will reign with the Anointed One for the duration of the Millennium. Among those souls will be the martyrs of Jesus, and of those who died for the Word of God from every Divinely revealed Faith, and even those true Muslims who voted with their feet to avoid paying the taxes that kept the 'beast' alive during the Piscean Age.

The 'resurrection' will be of 'souls' (Greek 'psyche'), not of 'bodies.' The meaning of this is that the heavenly attributes and virtues of the saintly and righteous of former Dispensations will become re-manifested among those reigning with the Anointed One.

".... 'In very truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. Flesh can give birth only to flesh; it is spirit that gives birth to spirit ..." "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ... This is the bread which came down from heaven; it is not like the bread which our father's ate; they are dead, but whoever eats this bread will live for ever." -REB: John 3:5-6, 6:54-58

"... Even as Jesus said: 'Ye must be born again.'{3} Again He saith, 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.' The purport of these words is that whosoever in every dispensation {4} is born of the Spirit and is quickened by the breath of the Manifestation of Holiness, he verily is of those that have attained 'life' and 'resurrection' and have entered the 'paradise' of the love of God. And whosoever is not of them, is condemned to 'death' and 'deprivation,' to the 'fire' of unbelief, and to the 'wrath' of God. In all scriptures, the books and chronicles, the sentence of death, of fire, of blindness, of want of understanding and hearing, hath been pronounced against those whose lips have tasted not the etherial cup of true knowledge, and whose hearts have been deprived of the grace of the Holy Spirit in their day. Even as it hath been previously recorded: 'Hearts have they with which they understand not.' " -BH {5}

"He (Jesus) said, 'If any man eat this bread, he shall live forever.' That is to say whosoever assimilates these divine perfections which are within me will never die; whosoever has a share and partakes of these heavenly bounties I embody will find eternal life; he who takes unto himself these divine lights shall find life everlasting.' How manifest the meaning is! How evident! For the soul which acquires divine perfections and seeks heavenly illumination from the teachings of Christ will undoubtedly live eternally. This is one of the mysteries of sacrifice." -AB {7}

THE SECOND DEATH:
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath a part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. -Rev 20:5-6

John learns that many 'psyches' will not be re-manifested in the First Resurrection. Those righteous psyches who are re-manifested will reign as 'priests' with the Anointed One (Baha'u'llah) for the duration of the Millennium.

Apparently there will be many who do not accept the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. These will be excluded from the New Jerusalem that will 'come down from God out of heaven' in the next chapter.

SATAN RELEASED AGAIN; GOG AND MAGOG:
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: and the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. -Rev 20:7-8

[REB: 7-8 When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be let loose from his prison, and he will come out to seduce the nations in the four quarters of the earth. He will muster them for war, the hosts of Gog and Magog, countless as the sands of the sea.]

The enigmatic forces of Gog and Magog that are the subject of Ezekiel {6} are introduced. Just exactly who these names represent has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Such speculation is fruitless, since the events prophesied in these and following verses are to transpire a thousand years from now, and prophecies are only helpful in elucidating the past, not in predicting the future. A few points will be stressed that are evident from these verses and other sources:

The forces are to be very numerous and will come from a wide region, perhaps the whole earth.

At least a thousand years will have elapsed from the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. Ezekiel {8} informs us that Israel will have been restored and at peace for a long time.

The object of the invasion will be to take spoils. {9} The invasion will fail through divine agency. {10}

Those are the salient points regarding Gog and Magog that can be gleaned from the biblical texts. But there are other points to be found in the Qur'an regarding Gog and Magog:

Their forces will "hasten from every high land." {11}

A Figure (code-named?) "Dhoulkarnain" (literally 'The two-horned') will be given power by God to lead forces against Gog and Magog. {12}

SATAN BOUND A SECOND TIME:
9 And they went up to the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever. -Rev 20:9-10

[REB: 9 They marched over the breadth of the land and laid siege to the camp of God's people and the city that he loves. But fire came down on them from heaven and consumed them.]

These are necessarily pure speculations: The 'camp of God's people' may allude to the Baha'i World Center on Mount Carmel. The 'city that He loves' could be Jerusalem; then again it could be Haifa, or some other city that will be loved by God during the Millennium of Peace.

The 'fire from heaven' correlates with Ezekiel {13} and the Qur'an {14}. The meaning is ambiguous, and it could mean the fiery words of a prophet or of another Manifestation of God. We shall have to wait and see.

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE:
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. -Rev 20:11

Again the words are ambiguous, probably by design. Is the One sitting on the throne Baha'u'llah, or is he/she the Manifestation who will follow Baha'u'llah? {15}

No 'place' for whom? The answer is found in verse 14- "Hades and Death." After the Millennium, the Dragon is to be captured and imprisoned for a second time, and finally cast into the "lake of fire" where the beast and the false prophet are already bound.

Some may be disappointed that the next thousand years is not an 'open book.' If it were so, there would be no test from heaven 'about the weight of a talent' for the next spiritual generation. Baha'u'llah has warned us not to expect another Manifestation of God until at least a full thousand years has transpired, but has not specified the maximum time for us to wait. The Writings also tell us that the 'Age of Prophecy' began with the Prophet Adam and ended with Muhammad, the 'Seal of the Prophets.' The 'Age of Fulfillment' began with the Bab, but its duration has not been revealed. We are told, however, that the future Manifestations will be 'under the shadow' of Baha'u'llah for, perhaps, five-hundred-thousand years.

THE SECOND DEATH:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. -Rev 20:12-14

[REB: 14 Then Death and Hades were flung into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death; ]

The 'second death' is the 'lake' of spiritual torment and unbelief. The sea of humanity is to be judged according to their deeds in the Balance of the Word of God.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. -Rev 20:15

SYNOPSIS:
After having a glimpse of the Millennium of Peace, John is now granted the inestimable privilege of seeing, in figurative form, the new Jerusalem that will attend the Manifestation of the Glory of God, Baha'u'llah. The new Jerusalem is to be the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus and the Jewish prophets of old.

The chapter opens with John seeing 'a new sky and a new earth'; it is the future Age of Leo-Aquarius. New spiritual and material laws attend the new Age. The sea of uncertainty that attended the Piscean Age will have disappeared.

The City of 'new Jerusalem' will replace Babylon, the wicked city. John sees the new Jerusalem descending, figuratively, from the cosmos. It is to be an earthly microcosm of the heavenly macrocosm.

The new Law is characterized as the 'bride' that will be re- married to the Covenant- the Lamb. The Tabernacle of God, long since disappeared from the earthly realm, will, once again, exist on earth with mankind. Spiritual pain and the sorrow of death will disappear.

The Alpha and the Omega, Baha', will make all things new, and the Word of God will be disbursed throughout humanity without cost. Those souls who have overcome the false teachings of the former Faiths shall inherit all the City's spiritual riches, and they shall be sons of God. Those who are fearful of investing their single 'talent of silver,'the atheists, the despicable, etc., will be deprived of the spiritual riches of the new Jerusalem.

John is carried to a high place where he can see the new Jerusalem in all its panoramic splendor. He sees that it has Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, as its Governor. The City resembles, in microcosm, the heavens, with its twelve celestial gates (the zodiac), and with each gate guarded by an angel. As explained in Genesis 49, the names of the twelve tribes are inscribed on the gates. The 12 foundations are seen to be inscribed by the names of the 12 Apostles, just as Jesus had promised.

The City has a pyramidal shape with sacred dimensions. An angel measures the Sacred City with a spiritual measure, a 'golden reed.' The occult pyramid, like the Baha'i House of Worship, is seen to contain 9, the number of Baha', in various parameters, and to fit perfectly inside the celestial sphere from which it descended, thereby marrying the material and spiritual laws in perfect harmony.

The protective outer wall of the City is also seen to have sacred dimensions, but this time it is metered by the cubit, a sacred measure of the Perfect Man. The 'height' of the wall is twice-72 cubits, corresponding to the 144-multitudes who are to be redeemed from all Ages and Faiths.

Even the materials used in the building of the Sacred City are seen to have spiritual significance. The 12 Foundation Stones represent the 12 Basic Principles of the Baha'i Faith. Only those with the innocence of pearls will be allowed to enter the gates of the new Jerusalem.

The City contains no physical 'temples,' that is, 'barriers' that separate God from man; Baha'u'llah is to give 'light' to the City while 'Abdu'l-Baha is to be its 'lamp.' Neither is there to be a priestly hierarchy.

THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. -Rev 21:1

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - REB: Matt 24:35

The prophecy of Jesus becomes fulfilled with this verse. The Precession of the Equinoxes has caused the 'heaven' or 'sky' (Greek 'ouranos') of the Piscean Age to give way to the sky of the Leo-Aquarian Age. By the 'law of correspondences' the 'earth' (Greek 'ge') has also been replaced by a new Era of human affairs. But even though we have a new sky and a new civilization, the words of Jesus are still with us!

The Divine Law is always composed of two parts: the eternal spiritual Law that remains unchanged from Age to Age, and the material Law that must be altered to accommodate the evolutionary changes in the human condition. For example, in the Leo-Aquarian Age, the Law of only One God, and the 'Golden Rule' are still in effect. But there is no longer ambiguity regarding the permissibility of slavery, or the equality of men and women.

Also, we are living in a world of technology and science, a world inconceivable to the common citizen of the Piscean Age. The Law of the 'new earth' must accommodate these and other irreversible facts of human history.

"No more sea" means that there will no longer be the 'sea' of chaos, of doubt and disbelief concerning the existence of God, or of life after death, and other Divinely revealed truths among the citizens of the new Jerusalem.

JOHN SEES THE NEW JERUSALEM:
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. -Rev 21:2

"O ye beloved of God! O ye children of the Kingdom! Verily, verily the new heaven and the new earth are come. The holy City, new Jerusalem, hath come down from heaven on high in the form of a maid of heaven, veiled, beauteous, and unique, and prepared for reunion with her lovers on earth." -AB {1}

The symbol of Isaiah {2} is alluded to. But in Isaiah, her husband is the Lord of hosts, the Holy One of Israel. In the Apocalypse, her husband is to be the Lamb, a symbol of the Sacrificial Hero and the Eternal Covenant. Either way, the symbol is valid, since the marriage symbolizes the renewal of he Covenant by the Twin Manifestation.

'Jerusalem' (Greek 'Hierousalem') has a literal value of 864 and an archetypal value of 9, the Seal of Baha'u'llah. 864 is exactly twice 432, the literal value of 'new name,' {3} which also has an archetypal value of 9.

THE TABERNACLE IS WITH MANKIND:
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. -Rev 21:3

[REB: 3 I heard a loud voice proclaiming from the throne: 'Now God has his dwelling with mankind!]

The voice is that of Baha'u'llah, the Bird of the Celestial Throne.

THE END OF SPIRITUAL DEATH:
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. - Rev 21:4

As in most of the Apocalypse, the words are to be taken spiritually. In the new Jerusalem, the belief in the eternal life of the spirit will be firmly grounded, no longer lost in a sea of uncertainty and doubt. The sorrow, crying and anguish of physical death will be eliminated.

The verse alludes to Isaiah: {4} 2E...l take delight in Jerusalem and rejoice in my people; the sound of weeping, the cry of distress will be heard in her no more. - REB: Isaiah 65:19

The same chapter of Isaiah also quotes the words of Baha'u'llah: "Here am I! Here am I!",{5} spoken to a nation that does not invoke him by name. It also contains an interesting reference to Achor and Sharon: "....; they will belong to my people who seek me." {6} "But you that forsake the Lord and ignore my holy mountain, who spread a table for the god of Fate, and fill bowls of spiced wine in honor of Destiny, I shall destine you for the sword, ..." {7} "I am creating new heavens and a new earth!" {8} Greatly extended physical longevity is prophesied. {9} "The wolf and the lamb will feed together and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and as for the serpent, its food will be dust. Neither hurt nor harm will be done in all my holy mountain, says the Lord." {10} {11}

THE ALPHA AND OMEGA MAKES ALL THINGS NEW:
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. -Rev 21:5-6

The words are "true and faithful" because they come from "Faithful and True," the rider of the white horse in verse 19:11.

Recall that Faithful and True has an archetypal value of 9, as does Alpha and Omega. In contrast to former sacerdotal orders that may have required a tithe or a payment in return for the dispensing of sacraments, the Word of God is to be disbursed free of charge in the new Age.

The 'beginning and the end' alludes to: "From the beginning I reveal the end, from ancient times what is yet to be; I say, 'My purpose stands, I shall accomplish all that I please.' I summon a bird of prey from the east- from a distant land a man to fulfil my design. ..." -REB: Isaiah 46:10-11

The words of El remind us of a claim of Baha'u'llah: "I am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty."{30}

THE SAVED AND THE DAMNED:
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. -Rev 21:7-8

The "fearful" are the first on the list of those who will suffer the second death- those devotees of past Faiths who are afraid to risk their single talent of silver will not become sons of God, the citizens of the new Jerusalem. Atheists, the obscene and liars of every kind will suffer the same fate as murderers, fornicators, sorcerers and idolaters.

JOHN IS PERMITTED TO SEE THE BRIDE:
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as a crystal; -Rev 21:9-11

It has been an objective of man down through the Ages to mirror God's heavenly realm with physical structures. Now John witnesses the ancient dream becoming a reality as the holy City descends from the God of the heavens and the earth. The new Jerusalem is to exist on the earthly plane, not suspended in space somewhere in the outer cosmos. It will be an earthly microcosm of the heavenly macrocosm.

Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, is to be the name of the Manifestation who will govern the new Jerusalem. His name is given for the second time in the Apocalypse, the first being in 15:8.

The jasper stone, {12} already mentioned in 4:3, symbolizes the oneness of humanity, having many colors but particularly red, the hue of the human heart. Baha'u'llah's mission includes, as a paramount objective, the unification of mankind with all their various Faiths.

THE TWELVE GATES OF THE CITY:
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. -Rev 21:12-13

The twelve gates correspond to the twelve zodiacal signs and their supposed divine (angelic) influences in the world of man.

'Abdu'l-Baha {16} has revealed the significance of the twelve gates. His Tablets are summarized: According to the theories of astrologers (not to be taken literally {17}), the world of physical possibilities is determined by the dawning place of the phenomenal sun shining through those constellations. Similarly, the Sun of Truth manifests and pours forth His bounty in twelve constellations of holiness. The twelve constellations of holiness have been manifested in different Ages as the twelve sons of Jacob, the twelve chiefs of tribes with Moses, the twelve Apostles of Jesus, and the twelve Imams of Islam. {18}

The Heavenly Jerusalem, the sacred Law of God, therefore has twelve Gates or Stars of Guidance through which advancing souls enter into the City of God. Each one of the holy souls in the twelve constellations of holiness has received the power of Divine confirmation. Since, symbolically, the Twelve Gates surround the entire universe, all existence is under the shadow of these souls, and these Gates are the foundations of the City of God, the Divine Jerusalem.

In contrast to the heavenly macrocosm that was considered to be a sphere, the base of the earthly microcosm is square, with sides oriented to the four cardinal directions and four corners symbolic of the equinoxes and solstices. We recall that the names on the gates were derived in Chapter 7 by correlating Genesis 49 with Revelation 7:5-8: {19}

Reuben/Aquarius, Zebulon/Pisces, Gad/Aries, Issachar/Taurus, Simeon & Levi/Gemini, Benjamin/Cancer, Judah/Leo, Dinah (veiled)/Virgo, Asher/Libra, Manasses/Flying Eagle, Joseph/Sagittarius, Nephtali/Capricorn.{13}

The zodiac as revealed in Chapter 7 has two remarkable differences from the pre-Piscean male-dominated zodiac. Due to the coalescing of Simeon & Levi into the single sign of Gemini, a space in the zodiac is left for Virgo. Thus in the Piscean Age, womanhood was secretly elevated to her rightful place in the sun. This accounts for the influence of Virgo (though still veiled) in the holy Figures of Mary and Fatima. Secondly, the occult substitution of Manasses/Flying Eagle for Dan/Scorpio invalidated the theory that evil influences emanate from the zodiac through the sign Scorpio, which, according to astrological theology, derives its power from the God of the cosmos. Thus God became totally benevolent, the God of Love, and evil influences could no longer be attributed to Him. These principles are overtly elevated to the rank of revealed Law in the Leo-Aquarian Age.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WALL:
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. -Rev 21:14

In this case, the Lamb is Jesus, and his Twelve Apostles are memorialized forever by correlating their names with the Twelve Foundation Stones of the new Jerusalem.

We have previously discussed the probable names of the Apostles corresponding to each of the twelve zodiacal signs. To review: {14}

Simon-Peter the Fisherman = Pisces; Levi the Tax Collector = Libra; Simon the Zealot = Aries; Thomas the Doubter = Taurus; James & John the Sons of Thunder = Gemini; Judas Iscariot the Betrayer = Flying Eagle (aka Scorpio). {15} Also Mary the Virgin (veiled) = Virgo. Less likely are Andrew, brother of Simon-Peter (also a fisherman) = Aquarius; Judas, son of James (also a fisherman) = Cancer.

But Scorpio is to be removed from his position in the zodiac in the Leo-Aquarian Age. As explained in Acts 1:26, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot. Therefore the new sign replacing Judas Iscariot/Scorpio is Matthias/Flying Eagle. Unknown are the roles of Philip, Bartholomew and Matthew, who are probably to be correlated with Leo, Sagittarius and Capricorn.

THE SPIRITUAL METERING STICK:
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. -Rev 21:15

"In this Greatest Day, the rod of the plant and the rod of iron are changed into a rod which is of pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the Kingdom of God." {20}

THE SACRED GEOMETRY:
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and breadth and height of it are equal. - Rev 21:16

The verse is ambiguous, but regardless of the assumptions made, the dimensions of the holy City can be shown to have occult significance.

Although many geometric figures have equal length, breadth and height, the most ubiquitous are the cube and the pyramid. In a pilgrim's note {21} 'Abdu'l-Baha explains that a pyramidal shape is intended by the verse, since it is a natural and enduring shape.

Besides the symbolism of the pyramid as mirroring the natural and enduring qualities of the pristine Word of God, one recognizes the fact that pyramids have been built as sacred structures throughout the oecumene, the most impressive, perhaps, being those at Giza. {22}

The 12-thousand furlongs of verse 16 correlate with the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the pyramid's base becomes 3-thousand furlongs (an earthly measure) on each side. But how do we measure the height of the pyramid? With only a golden rod, the only remaining dimension of the pyramid that can be readily measured is the slant edge, and this will be taken as its 'height.' And, indeed, a work by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus strengthens this conjecture, since the length of the slant edge was given to Herodotus as the height of the Great Pyramid by an Egyptian priest, circa 450 BCE.

Thus the holy City becomes a perfect pyramid with all 8 edges equalling 3,000 units of earthly measure.

The first inference that can be drawn from this geometry is that it will fit perfectly inside a hemisphere, with the square base just inside the circle. {22} The square, in astrological geometry, represents the 'square earth,' while the circle represents the 'eternal circle of heaven.' By analogy, the square base of the pyramid represents the temporal Law of God that must be modified to fit contingent historical conditions, while the enclosing circle represents the eternal Law that remains unchanged throughout the Ages. The holy City thus 'squares the circle,' {23} the ancient dream of mystics throughout the Ages.

The corners of the base of the pyramid represent the four 'pillars' of the Leo-Aquarian Age: Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Bab, and Shoghi Effendi.{24} The apex of the pyramid represents the Apex of the world {25} and points the way to the open door in heaven.

The four sides of the pyramid correspond, not only to the four annual seasons, but to the four zodiacal seasons, one full zodiacal year {26} being the time required for the Precession of the Equinoxes to complete a full cycle of the zodiac. The last zodiacal season, beginning at the Age of Taurus and ending at the start of the Age of Leo-Aquarius, covered a period of about 6,500 years, roughly equal to the traditional duration of the Adamic Cycle.

It can be shown with a little algebra {27} that the following parameters of the holy City will each have an archetypal value of 9:

The area of the base
The perimeter of each triangular face
The area of each triangular face
The total area of the four triangular faces
The total area of the pyramid
The volume of the pyramid

That the dimensions of the holy City contain hidden meanings can be inferred by the emphasis placed upon them by Ezekiel. But the dimensions, like the holy City itself, are symbolic, not physical. Zechariah reveals that the real Jerusalem cannot be measured, nor will it have physical walls:

"... I myself shall be a wall of fire around it, says the Lord, and a glorious presence within it." -REB: Zech 2:1-5

THE HEIGHT OF THE WALL:
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. -Rev 21:17

[REB: 17 Its wall was one hundred and forty-four cubits high, by human measurements, which the angel used.]

The verse alludes to the 'royal gift of the cubit,' a custom of antiquity in which the forearm of the priest-king was designated as the unit of measure that would prevail as the harmonizing principle (Egyptian 'neter') during his reign. The Manifestation, as both man and angel, is the Perfect Man and the Only Son of God during his Dispensation. He is, therefore, the measure of all things human.

Twice-72 was first introduced in Chapter 7. Among other things, it is another clue to the identity of the Manifestation, since its archetypal value is 9, the literal value of 'Baha'' and the Seal of Baha'u'llah. We now see the number connected with the 'wall' that will protect the holy City. The twice-72 'working arms' are the specially endowed and confirmed souls, the primal points or 'mustard seeds' cast over the soil of mankind, who will guard, nurture and protect the Heavenly Garden, the new Jerusalem.

Recall that ancient Jewish mystics believed that YHWH had 12-times-6 three-letter names called the 'Divided Name of YHWH.' {31} Thus, in past Ages, each gate of the invisible zodiac emanated 6 spiritual attributes. Because of the Twin Manifestation, twice-6 attributes are to emanate from each sign during the Leo-Aquarian Age.

Since the cubit is a 'spiritual measure,' its use is appropriate as a measure of the new Jerusalem. In astrological symbolism, the 144 cubits measure the spiritual attributes emanating from the heavenly realm that will enrich, guide and protect the citizens of the holy City.

With the new clue, the number 9 is indicated 7-times in the dimensions of the new Jerusalem. {28}

The dimensions of the new Jerusalem reflect the dimensions of the Baha'i House of Worship, 'The Dawning Place of God's Praise.' Several of these highly symbolic structures now exist throughout the world. Their architectural canon has been enjoined by Baha'u'llah as having a dome, nine sides, and nine doors. It can be shown, again using the circular property of 9, that the following 7 parameters of these structures each have an archetypal value of 9:

The perimeter of the wall
The area of the wall
The area of the dome
The volume of the dome
The area of the floor
The total area of the exterior
The total enclosed volume

Besides being the literal value of 'Baha'' and the Seal of Baha'u'llah, the 9 symbolizes the highest unity, being the greatest single digit number. The 9 doors represent the essential unity of man and the Divinely Revealed Faiths. In ancient number symbolism, 9 is the 'number of finality, judgment, and the fulfillment of prophecy.' It is also the 'Perfected Triad' (3-times-3).

THE MATERIAL OF THE WALL AND ITS FOUNDATIONS:
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, beryl; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. -Rev 21:18-20

The verses allude to Isaiah {32} in which the Bride, now purified and redeemed, is to be married to the Lord of Hosts, the Holy One of Israel. Her City will have foundations of sapphires, battlements of red jasper, gates of garnet, and boundary stones of precious jewels.

In the context of Revelation, the stones have physical attributes suggestive of the spiritual attributes of the Twelve Basic Principles of the Baha'i Faith. {29}

The material of the wall is jasper, symbolizing the Oneness of the World of Humanity, since it comes in many colors, but especially red, {33} the color of the heart.

The City is of purest gold, meaning that only purity and heavenly virtues will be found inside.

The first and foremost foundation stone is jasper, symbolic of the principle that Humanity Is actually One race.

The second foundation stone is sapphire, a stone of truest blue, the color of justice, faith, inspiration, loyalty and truth. It stands for the principle of the Independent Investigation of Truth.

The third foundation stone is chalcedony, a stone of purest white, reflecting all seven colors (seven Faiths) equally well. It stands for the principle that all Divinely revealed Faiths Are essentially One, since their common origin is God, the most manifest of the manifest, and the most hidden of the hidden.

The fourth foundation stone is emerald, a stone with the green of nature, symbolizing harmony, unity, immortality and humility. It uniquely harmonizes with every other color, and stands for the principle that enlightened Religion should and Must Be the Source of Unity.

The fifth foundation stone is sardonyx, a stone of equi-layered red and white. It stands for the principle of the Equality of Men (red) and Women (white).

The sixth foundation stone is sardius, a stone that changes color depending upon how it is viewed. The same is true of Science and Religion, and it stands for the principle of their eventual Agreement and Unity.

The seventh foundation stone is chrysolite, a stone of exquisitely pure green, the color of absolute sincerity, truthfulness, purity and selflessness. Only when our hearts are pure and free of prejudice and superstition can our secret thoughts be engraved on the Chrysolite Tablet. The chrysolite stands for the principle of the Elimination of All Prejudice.

The eighth foundation stone is beryl, a stone of bluish-green, combining the attributes of the sapphire and the emerald: justice, faith, inspiration, loyalty, truth, harmony, unity and humility. These attributes established in the hearts of men will permit the Establishment of Universal Peace.

The ninth foundation stone is the golden topaz, the color of the sun. The light of knowledge and the glory of wisdom will follow when Universal Education is established throughout the world.

The tenth foundation stone is chrysoprasus, of clearest green. It embodies truthfulness, justice, sincerity and purity. These requisites are necessary for a Spiritual Solution of the Economic Problem.

The eleventh foundation stone is jacinth. Like one form of jasper, it is a clear red, the universal color, the color of the human heart. The heart of one race can understand the heart of another only when it can speak the same language. It stands for the principle of an Auxiliary Universal Language.

The twelfth foundation stone is amethyst. Its violet symbolizes spiritual light, reverence, healing, serenity and poise. The World Parliament of Man must embody these attributes in order to guide mankind in a world at peace.

THE MATERIAL OF THE GATES:
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. -Rev 21:21

Pearl is the stone of innocence. Each gate is made of a single pearl, emphasizing that the innocent and only the innocent may enter therein. Once inside the City, they will walk on streets of golden purity.

NO TEMPLE IS NEEDED INSIDE:
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. -Rev 21:22

[REB: 22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple was the sovereign Lord God and the Lamb.]

A 'temple' {34} is a place 'cut off.' In ancient times, the temple had separated enclosures with varied 'degrees of holiness.'

In Exodus, {35} God promises to dwell among the Israelites forever, PROVIDED Solomon and his successors {36} are obedient to His ordinances, precepts and commands. For whatever reason, Solomon's Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar; Zerubabel's Temple was profaned by Syrians and Romans; Herod's Temple was destroyed by Titus. Each catastrophe implied to the Jews that they had become alienated from God.

In the new Jerusalem, Temple worship is no longer needed, since there is to be no place 'cut off' from the blessings and the light of God. The Baha'i House of Worship, contrary to commonly held misconceptions, is not a 'temple,' since it has no priesthood, no ritual, no altar, no pulpit, and no separated 'degrees of holiness'; it is literally, by name, intent and practice, a 'Dawning Place of God's Praise.'

The most sacred of Baha'i institutions is the 'Nineteen Day Feast' that is usually held in private homes. It consists of three distinct sessions: worship, community business, and social.

During the worship session, the Sacred Writings of the Faith are read and prayers are raised. The community business session includes plans, reports, letters from the Friends, etc., but is devoid of offering plates and conspicuous donations. The social session is just that, a time in which the Friends freely mingle, enjoy conversation and music, and share the delights offered by the host.

NO NEED FOR THE SUN OR MOON:
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine on it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. -Rev 21:23-27

[REB: 23 The city did not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.]

The words allude to Isaiah {37}, who also speaks of the Glory of the Lord {38} and the Holy One of Israel. {40} The new Jerusalem is to be established with their Return from lands far away. {40}

"No sun or moon" means that no priestly hierarchy will be needed in the City. The reason is that Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, will be its light, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Lamb, will be its Lamp of Guidance.

Isaiah tells us something else about this light: 'The moon will shine as brightly as the sun, and the sun with seven times its wonted brightness, like seven days' light in one ..'- REB: Isaiah 30:26

"In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women are equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between them."-`Abdu'l-Baha

The Moon of the 'Abdu'l-Baha will shine as brightly as the Sun of Baha'u'llah. The Sun of Baha'u'llah will shine as brightly as the seven Days that preceded his own Day.

In verse 23 the name of Baha'u'llah is given for the third and final time in the Apocalypse. John follows the ancient canon of repeating the name three-times to emphasize his supreme station.{41} The notion that 'thrice' implies the best or greatest has extremely ancient roots. Greek 'trismegistos' = 'thrice greatest.'; Latin 'ter felix' = 'thrice-happy' or 'happiest.'

The practice of repeating three-times was, and still is used to emphasize a prayer or sacred ritual. The formula was adapted by practitioners of the occult arts in carrying out their rituals and incantations. ('Third time's a charm!') Samuel Taylor Coleridge employed it in his masterpiece KUBLA KHAN, the closing lines of which seem to presage the Advent of Baha'u'llah:

And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread,
For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of paradise.

A 'Night' is the period between two Divine Manifestations when the Sun of Truth is not manifest among men.{42} In every past Dispensation there has been such a period. But Baha'u'llah's unique Dispensation is the 'King of Days,' the 'Day not followed by Night.' Thus in verse 25 we find that there is to be "no night" in the new Jerusalem.

This, the final chapter of the Apocalypse, is an epilogue and conclusion.

John sees the 'water of life' flowing from the Throne of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Lamb, just as promised by Zechariah. On either side of the river, John sees the 'tree of life,' the Twin Manifestation, the Bab and Baha'u'llah. The 'fruits' from the Twin Trees are the blessings that flow from the 12 Basic Principles on which the Sacred City is founded. The ancient curse that caused the destruction of the physical city of Jerusalem in past Ages will have been overcome, because the new Jerusalem is to be a spiritual City, not prone to the capricious forces of worldly history. Its citizens will be able to converse 'face-to-face' with God, just as Moses had done. The name of God will be retained in the 'foreheads' of their minds, not in physical talismans or phylacteries.

The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah will be the 'Day not followed by Night.'

God promises that He is 'coming soon,' that He will become Manifest in the very next Age, and that the prophesied events revealed to John are to commence in the very near future. Baha'u'llah, the Alpha and the Omega, will come quickly bringing deliverance and redemption.

The chapter ends with farewells and warnings. Jesus reminds us that he is an offshoot from David, not of the direct line of kings.

Finally, John curses anyone who tampers with the written text of the Apocalypse.

The last word in the Apocalypse is "Amen,"which has a literal value of 99 and an archetypal value of 9, the Seal of Baha'u'llah.

[Several voices are heard. The King James Version (KJV) does not include closed quotes, and the Revised English Bible (REB) is employed for determining the probable voices.]

Verses 1 through 5 are spoken by John.

THE RIVER OF LIFE:
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as a crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. -Rev 22:1

[REB: 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb]

The verse alludes to: "On that day, whether in summer or in winter, running water will issue from Jerusalem, half flowing to the eastern sea and half to the western sea." -REB: Zechariah 14:8

The new Jerusalem will be the source of spiritual inspiration and guidance for all peoples, whether in the East or in the West. "We have caused the rivers of Divine utterance to proceed out of Our throne, that the tender herbs of wisdom and understanding may spring forth from the soil of your hearts." -BH {1}

THE TWIN HOLY TREES:
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. -Rev 22:2

[REB: 2 down the middle of the city's street. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, ...]

The two 'trees of life' are the Twin Holy Trees, the Bab and Baha'u'llah. The 'twelve manner of fruits' are the blessings flowing from the Laws and Principles that are the twelve foundation stones upon which the City is founded.

NO MORE CURSE:
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: -Rev 22:3

[REB: 3 Every accursed thing shall disappear. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants shall worship him;]

The authority of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha will reside in the new Jerusalem. The only true God will be worshipped there, whose power will be manifested in the Universal House of Justice, sitting on God's 'holy mountain.'

'No more curse' may allude to: "Jerusalem will be inhabited, and never again will a ban for her destruction be laid on her; all will live there in security." - REB: Zechariah 14:11

THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE:
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. -Rev 22:4

To 'see his face' is an allusion to the event in Exodus {2} in which Moses is permitted to converse with Jehovah face-to-face.

Baha'u'llah is the Manifestation of Jehovah, and is the One who spoke with Moses on Sinai. Thus, in the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah we are permitted to see the 'face' of the Voice From the Burning Bush.

'In their foreheads' alludes to Revelation 14:1 in which we are told that the twice-72 multitudes of specially endowed working arms will have the name of the Father (Baha'u'llah) of the Lamb ('Abdu'l-Baha) written in their foreheads. {3}

NO NIGHT:
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. -Rev 22:5

Again we are reminded that the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah is the 'Day not followed by Night.' The citizens of the new Jerusalem will not need the services of a church or a priestly hierarchy to guide them, since they will receive their spiritual light and guidance directly from God through His Manifestation. "In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that

men and women are equal in the sight of God and that

there is no distinction to be made between them."-`Abdu'l-Baha

THE LORD GOD PROMISES TO COME QUICKLY:
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. -Rev 22:6-7

[REB: 6 He said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to show his servants what soon must take place. 7 And remember, I am coming soon!'  Happy is the man who takes to heart the words of prophecy contained in this book!]

The quote is by the plague angel who spoke to John in 21:9, 15 & 22:1. He reminds John that it is the Lord God who has inspired the holy prophets and Manifestations of the past, and will do so for all the Ages to come. When the plague angel speaks the words "I am coming soon!", he is speaking as the Messenger of God, Who reassures John that God will manifest Himself very soon. Indeed, He did so in the human Temple of Muhammad about five centuries after the Revelation.

DON'T WORSHIP THE MESSENGER!
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. -Rev 22:8-9

[REB: 8 It was I, John, who heard and saw these things. When I had heard them, I prostrated myself to worship the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your brothers the prophets and with those who take to heart the words of this book. It is God you must worship.']

Once again, John is warned against worshipping the Messenger instead of the Originator of the Message. When a Divine Messenger speaks in the first person FOR God, this does not equate him WITH God. Christians are especially prone to this error, although the devotees of all Divinely revealed Faiths commit the fallacy to various degrees. {4}

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. -Rev 22:10

The Apocalypse is a prophecy of events that will commence very shortly. Indeed, the first great persecution of Christians prophesied in 8:7-9 began less than a decade after the Revelation to John, but the Advent of Baha'u'llah would not occur until after another eighteen lunar centuries. {5}

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. -Rev 22:11

The verse reminds us of the prophecy of Daniel: "Many will purify themselves and be refined, making themselves shining white, but the wicked will continue in wickedness and none of them will understand: only the wise leaders will understand." -REB: Daniel 12:10

THE ALPHA AND OMEGA GIVES A FAREWELL AND A PROMISE:
12 And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. -Rev 22:12

[REB: 12 'I am coming soon, and bringing with me my recompense to repay everyone according to what he has done! 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.']

Spoken by the plague angel for Baha'u'llah. The 'reward' alludes to:

"This is the Lord's [Jehovah's] proclamation to earth's farthest bounds: Tell the daughter of Zion 'See, your deliverance comes. His reward is with him, his recompense before him.' " -REB: Isaiah 62:11

The title 'the Alpha and the Omega' is equated with the 'first and the last' {8} and 'the beginning and the end.'

'The Alpha and the Omega' is unique to the Apocalypse. It occurs a total of three-times in modern translations {6}, as does the title 'the Glory of God.' Its uniqueness suggests that its numerology should be investigated. Doing so reveals that it has an archetypal value of 9, the literal value of Baha' and the Seal of Baha'u'llah.

The title 'the first and the last' occurs in Isaiah {7} where it is equated with (REB) 'the Lord [Jehovah], Israel's King, the Lord of Hosts, his Redeemer.' Isaiah also declares that error-free prophecy is one proof of the validity of Divine inspiration.

THE SAVED AND THE DAMNED:
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates of the city. -Rev 22:14

[REB: 14 Happy are those who wash their robes clean! They shall be free to eat from the tree of life ...]

The Tree of Life is the Manifestation of God. "Through His potency the Trees of Divine Revelation have yielded their fruits, every one of which hath been sent down in the form of a

Prophet, bearing a Message to God's creatures in each of the worlds whose number God alone, in His all-encompassing knowledge, can reckon." -BH {10}

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. -Rev 22:15

Spoken by John. This list of the damned should be compared to that of 21:8. Apparently 'dogs' include the fearful, the unbelieving, and the abominable.

"Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls to pigs: they will only trample on them, and turn and tear you to pieces." -REB: Matt 7:6

JESUS BIDS FAREWELL:
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. -Rev 22:16

[REB: 16 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the offspring of David, the shoot growing from his stock, the bright star of dawn.']

Probably spoken by the first angel (verse 1:1). His testimony is to the Seven Churches of Asia. Jesus affirms that he is the 'root' of David, that is, the 'Ancient Root,' and therefore is a Manifestation of God. In addition, he claims to be the 'offspring of David,' though apparently not of the direct line of historic kings. Jesus also claims to be the 'bright star of dawn,' that is, the 'Herald' of a new day of God. {11}

It is noteworthy that, once again, Jesus fails to claim the Throne of David, although many of his devotees must have considered him eligible for that position. Indeed, we now know the reason why Jesus did not claim the Throne of David. The fact that he was an 'offspring of David' automatically interdicted any claim that he might have had to that Throne. {16} But being merely an 'offspring,' and not a descendant of David's direct line of kings, did not preclude his being the Messiah. Recall

2E..... [Pilate asks] 'So you are the king of the Jews?'.... Jesus replied, 'My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my followers would be fighting to save me from the clutches of the Jews. My kingdom belongs elsewhere.' -REB: John 18:33-36

[The New International Version begins a new paragraph at this point.]

JOHN'S CURSE:
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. - Rev 22:17-18

[REB: 18 I, John, give this warning to everyone who is listening to the words of prophecy in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book; 19 if anyone takes away from the words in this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this book.]

Perhaps Jesus should have had the last word at verse 16, but John addends a curse on those who would corrupt the text of the Apocalypse. It is noteworthy that John would have felt the need to do so, and it implies that corruption of the Word was not a rare occurrence in the early Christian Church.

Indeed, corruption of the Word created the great whore of Babylon that has plagued Christendom during the Piscean Age, whose offspring is the mayhem that we now observe among the thousands of Christian sects. As archaeologists and antiquarians discover more pristine versions of Sacred Texts, the extent to which corruption has taken place will become more evident. One proven case is the Gospel of Mark. Although it is considered by biblical scholars to be the most reliable of the Gospels, nevertheless it is known to have had about twelve-and-a-half verses addended, and there may have been other alterations. The corruption of the Sacred Texts resulted in several hundred years of trial-and-error before a canon of New Testament works could be accepted by a significant body of Christians, and even today the debate goes on.

It is always tempting to a scribe or a translator to alter or add a word, a phrase or a verse to bring it more in line with his own concepts or those of humanly limited theologians and commentators. At other times, alterations may be accidental or even unconscious. It is probably because the Apocalypse is so cryptic that it has remained relatively free of such distortions. Candidly, no one knew where or how to alter the text. {12}

Most of the alterations of the text of the Apocalypse are relatively benign, but there is one significant exception. An early version of the Apocalypse altered the number of the beast of the Apocalypse from 666 to 616, apparently to make the value equal to that of 'Nero Caesar,' {13} a blue ribbon villain that many early Christians considered to be the anti-Christ.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. -Rev 22:20

[REB: 20 He who gives this testimony says: 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!]

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be unto you all. Amen. -Rev 22:21

If not with Jesus' testimony at verse 16, the Revelation should certainly have ended with John's curse, but part of verse 20 and all of 21 seem to have been addended. {14} The addendum reflects the ardent hope among the early Christians that Jesus would return in the flesh to establish the Kingdom of God during their own lifetimes.

It is here that another great secret of the Apocalypse becomes evident! The last word of the Apocalypse is 'Amen,' whether or not we decide that the Apocalypse has been addended after John's curse. At several places in the Apocalypse we have been advised to consider 'the Alpha and the Omega.' Finally, at 22:13 we are advised to look at the 'beginning and the end, the first and the last.' And what are the first and last words of the Apocalypse? The first word is 'Apocalypse,' the last word is 'Amen.'

The first word 'Apocalypse' has a literal value of 1512 which has an archetypal value of 9. The last word 'Amen' has a literal value of 99, which also has an archetypal value of 9.

'The Alpha and the Omega' appears three or four times, depending upon the version. {15} The expression has either the value 801 or 1332, also depending upon the version. In all cases, the archetypal value is 9, the number of Baha' and the Seal of Baha'u'llah!

Robert Riggs is a member of the Baha'i Faith living in the United States. Much of the material on this homepage consists of extracts from existing Baha'i publications, but also included are a number of insights and comments about prophecies which are entirely the author's own understanding and, as such, do not necessarily represent the official position of the Baha'i Faith or its teachings.

APPENDIX A: SOME NUMBER SYMBOLISM

This Appendix describes some numerological discoveries. Surely many more remain to be discovered. The definitions of terms used can be found in the INTRODUCTION.

SOME SUBJECTS THAT HAVE AN ARCHETYPAL VALUE OF NINE:

SUBJECT = LITERAL VALUE = ARCHETYPAL VALUE; [WHERE FOUND]

Greek Words and Phrases:
-Apocalypse (First word) = 1512 = 9; [Title, 1:1]
-Amen (Last word = 22:20 or 22:21) = 99 = 9; [1:6, 1:7, 1:18, 3:14, 5:14, 7:12, 7:12, 19:4, 22:20, 22:21(?)]
- 'Alpha + Omega' ('First and Last') = 801 = 9; [1:8, 1:11(?), 21:6; 22:13]
- 'Alpha (spelled out {1}) + Omega' = 1332 (twice-666) = 9
- 'Faithful and True' (name) = 1269 = 9; [19:11]
- 'The Word of God' (name) = 927 = 9; [19:13]
- Glory (Greek for 'Kabowd') = 135 = 9; [4:9, 4:11, 14:7, 15:4, 16:9, 19:1]
- 'New Name' = 432 = 9; [2:17, 3:12]
- Jerusalem = 864 (twice-432) = 9; [3:12, 21:2, 21:10]
- 'The Glory of God of Israel' = 1746 = 9; [Ezekiel 8:4, 9:3, 10:19, 11:22, 43:2]
- 'A grain of mustard seed' = 1746 = 9; [Mat 13:31, 17:20; Mark 4:31; Luke 13:19, 17:6]

Numbers:
- 666 (a sacred number!) = 666 = 9; [13:18]
- 144 (twice-72) = 144 = 9; [21:17]
- 144,000 = 144,000 = 9; [7:4, 14:1, 14:3]
- 1260 (3 1/2 'times') = 1260 = 9; [11:2, 11:3, 11:9, 11:11, 12:6, 12:14, 13:5]

Items:
- Fishes in the net = 153 = 9; [John 21:11]
- Stanzas in THE HIDDEN WORDS = 153 = 9
- Parameters of the New Jerusalem = (various) = seven cases of 9 [21:16, 21:17]

Other:
- The Almighty (Pantocrator) appears 9 times; [1:8, 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, 16:14, 19:6, 19:15, 21:22]

SOME OTHER INTERESTING VALUES:
- Glory of God (Greek) = 1389 = 3; [15:8, 21:11, 21:23]
- Baha'u'llah (Arabic) = 75 = 3
- 'Nine' (Greek word) = 111 = 3
- Messiah (Hebrew) = 358 = 7; [Dan 9:25, 9:26]
- 'Shiloh Come' (Hebrew) = 358 = 7; [Gen 49:10]
- Jesus (Greek) = 888 = 6; [14:12, 17:6, 19:10, 19:10, 20:4, 22:16, 22:20(?)]
- Christ (Greek) = 1480 = 4; [11:15, 12.10, 20.4, 20.6]
- Jesus Christ (Greek) = 2368 = 1; [1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:9, 12:17, 22:21(?)]
- Last sentence of Chapter 13 = 2368 = 1; [13:18]
- Son of Man (Greek) = 2260 = 1; [1:13, 14:14]
- Son of God (Greek) = 1934 = 8; [2:18]

TRIANGULAR VALUES:

The name 'Baha'' is an Arabic word spelled Be, ha, alif, hamza (BHA'). The numerical values of the letters are 2, 5, 1, 1 {2}. Thus the literal value of Baha' is 9. The triangular value of 9 is 45, the same as the literal value of 'Adam.' The word 'Bab' is spelled Be, alif, beh (BAB), which has a literal value of 5. The triangular value of 5 is 15, the same as the literal value of 'Eve.' Thus the two traditional names Adam and Eve, God's first two spiritual creations, are linked with the Twin Manifestation whose appearance was promised at the Last Day.

KLIMA:
It seems appropriate to apply klima as we did for YHWH. Expanding the word 'BAB' by klima:

B = 2
BA = 3
BAB =5

produces a total of (2 + 3 + 5) = 10, the value of the Y (Yod), the first letter in YHWH. The literal value of BAB, being 5, equals the value of the H (Hay), the last letter in YHWH. Thus the word 'BAB', which literally means 'the Gate,' is an expression of the 'first and the last.'

Expanding 'BHA'': B = 2 BH = 7 BHA = 8 BHA' = 9

The sum of (2 + 7 + 8 + 9) is 26, the literal value of YHWH. Thus we find the occult connection between BHA' and YHWH.

The word Baha' (BHA') is loosely translated into English as 'Glory.' More accurately, it is equivalent to the Hebrew word 'Kabowd,' a 'palpable manifestation.' The word 'Kabowd' is translated into Greek (again loosely) as 'Doxa.' We have noted several occult uses of the words 'Kabowd' and 'Doxa' in the Bible.

Jewish mystics knew the significance of the letters 'B' and 'H.' They attached much importance to them and wrote commentaries about these letters. There is a Jewish legend that says that Solomon's Seal, considered a powerful talisman by the ancients, carried the Greatest Name, possibly the 'Kabowd' of 'El'.

In the Buddhist Scriptures, the word 'BHA' occasionally appears, occultly disjointed from the adjacent Sanskrit Text.

NOTES TO INTRODUCTION
{1} BAHA'I SCRIPTURES, Sect 92.
{2} The 'Quadratura Circuli.' See Carl Jung, PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION
{3} The four elements + ether. See Ecclesiasticus 17:5.
{4} Appel and Haken, THE SOLUTION OF THE FOUR-COLOR-MAP PROBLEM, Scientific American, Oct, 1977
{5} Aristotle, DE CAEOLO
{6} Gen 7:2-3
{7} Gen 29
{8} 1 Sam 6:1
{9} Jer 25:11, 2910
{10} See Ps 90:4

NOTES TO CHAPTER 1
{1} The 'Prophetic Cycle' began with the Dispensation of the Prophet Adam and ended with the Dispensation of Muhammad, the 'Seal of the Prophets.' The Advent of the Bab closed the Prophetic Cycle and opened the Age of Fulfillment. The 'Baha'i Cycle' initiated by Baha'u'llah will consist of numerous Ages spanning a period of, perhaps, 500-thousand- years.
{2} From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, Aug 7, 1978. 'The Master' was a title bestowed by Baha'u'llah, upon his son, 'Abdu'l- Baha.
{3} See Romans 1:2
{4} Matthew 8:22
{5} GWB, p 101
{6} Matt 13:14-19, 24:15; John 9:39; Acts 28:26-27; Cf. Is 6:9-10
{7} BOC, pp 192-6
{8} Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 17:22-25
{9} TTJ; PT, p 51; SAQ, p 254; WAB, p 13; GPB, p 95
{10} GPB, p 95
{11} Isaiah 44:6
{12} Is 41:4, 14, 44:6, 47:4, 48:12, 59:19-21; Ps 24:7-10; Job 19:25; Jer 23:5-8. Cf. GPB, pp 93-99
{13} GWB, p 168
{14} In the original version of THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED, I chose Justice as the symbolism of Parchment, and Harmony as the symbolism of Just People. Either way works, since Law is usually associated with Justice, and Justice is essential for generating Harmony.
{15} 'Thya' means a sandarac tree, a close relative of the cypress. The candle-shaped cypress was the emblem of Ormazd and Zoroaster. Ormazd was the name given to the God of Goodness and Spiritual Light.
{16} H. Smith, THE RELIGIONS OF MAN, is a popular treatment.
{17} WOB p 104
{18} WOB, p 104; GPB, p 169. As was the custom in that region, Baha'u'llah had dyed his hair and beard a jet black before his interview with Prof E.G. Browne in 1890. See Ustad Muhammad-'Aliy-i Salmani, (tr. Marzieh Gail), MY MEMORIES OF BAHA'U'LLAH, Kalimat Press, Los Angeles, 1982; H.M. Balyuzi, BAHA'U'LLAH, THE KING OF GLORY, George Ronald, Oxford, 1980, p.240
{19} Dan 2:32
{20} GWB, p 167
{21} Daniel 7:9, 13-14
{22} GWB, p 296
{23} GWB, p 104
{24} GWB pp 45, 183; WOB, p.104

NOTES TO CHAPTER 2
{1} GWB, pp 179, 185
{2} WOB, p 115}
{3} Possibly mentioned in Acts 6:5.
{4} Cf. Gen 2
{5} The difficulties for Israel ensuing from the worship of Baal are recorded in 1st and 2nd Kings.
{6} GWB, p 195
{7} 'Thyine' means 'fragrant.' Cf. Rev 18:12 in KJV.
{8} The subject is further elucidated in Romans 1:3-4 and Hebrews 1:4-6.
{9} GWB, p 325.
{10} TAB, pp 92-4

NOTES TO CHAPTER 3
{1} GWB pp 332, 323.
{2} GWB, p 132
{3} BOL; GWB, pp 269-270.
{4} That is, (8 + 6 + 4) = 18. Continuing, (1 + 8) = 9. Note that 432 is just one-half of 864.
{5} In THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED, I proposed that Baha'u'llah was the one who "stands at the door and knocks." In revisiting the matter, it seems more likely, in the context of previous verses, that it is Muhammad.

NOTES TO CHAPTER 4
{1} Every astrological age actually has a double name, e.g. Aries-Libra and Pisces-Virgo. The double name comes from the names of the stellar constellations or 'signs' where the sun rises at BOTH the Spring AND Fall seasons of the year. This should become clearer in later verses. See the INTRODUCTION. I recommend de Santillana et al, HAMLET'S MILL.
{2} SAQ, pp 284-6
{3} With very little search, I found these twelves in less exalted circles: 12 Olympian deities, 12 Titans, 12 knights of King Arthur's round table, 12 merry men of Robin Hood, and 12 Caesars in the canon of Seutonius. I'm sure that the list is quite extensive.
{4} What are the names of the 24 Elders seated around the throne of Baha'u'llah? I have been able to locate only 20 that are authenticated: the Bab, the 18 Letters of the Living, and Haji Mirza Muhammad-Taqi. The names of the other 4 may be laying undiscovered in the Baha'i archives, or may require a decision by the Universal House of Justice. In the meantime, I personally consider these exalted names as probable: Mirza Mihdi (the Purest Branch), 'Abdu'l-Baha' (the Servant of Baha'), Shoghi Effendi (the Guardian), and Bahiyyih Khanum (the Greatest Holy Leaf).
{5} AB, SAQ, p 71
{6} GWB, p 104
{7} BH: TAF. See commentary after Rev 1:12.
{8} BOC, pp 100, 103; GWB, p 258

NOTES TO CHAPTER 5
{1} The REB is at variance with the KJV and the NIV. The REB reads: 'Do not weep; for the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the shoot growing from David's stock, has won the right to open the scroll and break its seven seals.' The word in KJV v. 5 is actually Greek 'Rhiza', a 'Root.'
{2} Ez 19:4
{3} 2 Kings 25:7
{4} The line of David is given in Ruth 4:18. Baha'u'llah is descended from Abraham through his third wife Keturah.
{5} 2 Kings 21:2-7. The Ark of the Covenant disappeared at about the same time. See Graham Hancock, THE SIGN AND THE SEAL.
{6} Jer 15:4, 36:30. The genetic root of David is given in Ruth 4:18-20. His throne was passed down from son to son until Jehoiakim. But by the dictum of the prophet Jeremiah, the reign of Jehoiakim's son was aborted. Instead, his brother Mattaniah-Zedekiah was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 24:17) Even this branch was terminated by Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 25:7) Apparently, with the demise of Jehoiakim, there were no further legitimate claimants to the worldly Throne of David from the direct line of David.
{7} Ps (REB) 132:17
{8} Matthew 22:42-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41. Jesus is referring to Psalm 110.
{9} in TTJ; PDC, pp 78-79; GPB, p 230
{10} 1 Sam 16:1; Heb 5:4-5, 7:3, 15. Also see Is 11; Is 63:10; Zech 12:7.
{11} John 18:36
{12} Gen 49:10
{13} See Rev 4:1
{14} The word 'Edom' means 'Red.' When Baha'u'llah was later exiled to the Holy Land, the region of Edom was a part of 'Transjordan,' literally, 'the land beyond the Jordan river.' Basrah is a city in modern Iraq.
{15} To be explained in a later chapter.
{16} See INTRODUCTION.
{17} The Bab also plays a special role in the Book of Daniel, as can be seen by a careful reading of Daniel 10. This chapter of Daniel and others is discussed in I, DANIEL.
{18} BOC, p 164
{19} GWB, pp 244-5
{20} E.g., BOL and CB. See GPB, pp 239, 242.
{21} Genesis 2:9. In WOB, p 135, Baha'u'llah refers to 'Abdu'l- Baha as the Branch from the Sadratu'l-Muntaha. In BOL, see paragraphs 100, 148, and Notes 128, 164.

NOTES TO CHAPTER 6
{1} Ps 114:7; 1 Chron 16:29-34; Joel 3:16; Amos 8:8; Is 13:13, 14:16; Hag 2:6-7; Heb 12:26-27
{2} Amos 8:9; Is 13:10, 60:19-20, 14:12; Ezek 32:7-8; Job 38:7; Num 24:17; Joel 2:31, 3:15; Acts 2:20; Jude 1:13; Matt 24:29; Obad 1:4; Gen 37:9-1
{3} Is 34:4; Matt 24:29-30
{4} Ps 114:4; Is 14:25-26, 2:2-3, 40:4, 65:23-25; Jer 48:8; Micah 1:3-4; Luke 23:30; 3:4-5; Dan 2; John 4:21
{5} Ps 18:2; Deut 32:4, 30, 31
{6} BOC, pp 33-34, 36, 37, 38, 41
{7} GWB, pp 44-45

Notes TO CHAPTER 7
{1} GWB, p 68
{2} GWB, p 68
{3} GWB, pp 331, 198, 218
{4} Gen 49. See Introduction.
{5} I.e., (1 + 4 + 4) = 9
{6} Rev 4:4
{7} Numbers 11:25-26
{8} See Introduction.
{9} See Introduction.
{10} See Martin Gardner, THE COLORING OF UNUSUAL MAPS LEADS INTO UNCHARTED TERRITORY; also Appel and Haken, THE SOLUTION OF THE FOUR-COLOR-MAP PROBLEM.
{11} Gen 49. See Introduction.
{12} The history of the zodiac is obscure, but it seems likely that Gemini was originally the first sign of the zodiac. If so, the zodiac was devised at least four astrological Ages ago, circa 6-millennia BCE. Some astrologers have suggested that the Cain-Abel myth may have been created during the Age of Gemini. An interesting theory! Then perhaps Cain was the star that announced the harvesting season (Genesis 4:3) and 'murdered' his brother when the Precession caused him to replace Abel, the star that announced the sheep birthing season (4:4). But, eventually, the Precession also caused Cain to lose his position in the sky (4:11). Thereafter, Cain became a 'wanderer' or 'planet' (4:13), no longer indicative of either the harvesting or the birthing season. His star was forced 'east of Eden' (4:16) during the Age of Taurus.
{13} Matt 19:28; Luke 22:30
{14} Rev 21:14
{15} Luke 6:12
{16} Mark 3:17
{17} John (REB) 13:21-30
{18} GWB, pp. 169, 213
{19} GWB, p. 189
{20} PMB, pp. 83-4
{21} Zech 11:7-14 (REB): "So I became a shepherd to the flock destined to be slaughtered by the dealers. ... I had lost patience with the flock and they had come to abhor me... 'I shall not be a shepherd to you any more..' I took my staff called Favor and snapped it in two, annulling the covenant which the Lord had made with all nations ... . Then they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver... Then I broke in two my second staff called Union, annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. " Curiously, Baha'u'llah was born on November 12, 1817. By conventional pre-Piscean astrology, Baha'u'llah would have been born under the sign of Scorpio. But by the new astrology of the Apocalypse, Baha'u'llah was born under the sign of Flying Eagle.
{22} See Nabil's Narrative (THE DAWN-BREAKERS).
{23} See Lady Blomfield, THE CHOSEN HIGHWAY.

Notes TO CHAPTER 8
{1} GWB, p 316
{2} SAQ, p 71
{3} Christians were also under attack from the Jews during the persecutions by Rome. Probably in response to Jesus' warning (Matt 24:15-6), at the sight of Titus' army coming to take Jerusalem in 70 CE, the Christians in and around Jerusalem fled across the Jordan river to Pella. This act of seeming desertion angered the surviving Jews, who, after the Fall of Jerusalem, carried out a campaign of terror against the Christians. The Christians responded in kind, and this internecine struggle lasted until Caliph Umar I conquered Jerusalem in 637.
{4} SAQ, p 66
{5} GWB, pp 21, 41
{6} The Bab: SWB, p 129 fn

Notes TO CHAPTER 9
{1} The Sunni caliphate was abolished in 1922 in the wake of the successful revolution in Turkey under Kemel Ataturk. The date of the destruction of the caliphate was 27 sabbatic years after the Crucifixion and 27 days before the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha. A 'sabbatic year' = 7-decades. I place the date of the Crucifixion at 34 CE in accord with the prophecy in Daniel 9:26.
{2} SAQ, p 60
{3} GWB, p 43
{4} Qur'an: 42:11, 46:11, 73:15
{5} at 3:10.
{6} at 11:13 and 14:7.

Notes TO CHAPTER 10
{1} Rev 1:7, 4:3, 1:16
{2} 1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chron 3:15
{3} Exod 13:21
{4} Ruth 4:21
{5} Is 11:1, 10
{6} I.e., (7 + 2) = 9

Notes TO CHAPTER 11
{1} Most of what follows is explained by 'Abdu'l-Baha in SAQ, Chapter 11.
{2} 'AH' means 'After the Hegira,' the starting point of the Muslim calendar. The Hegira occurred in 622 CE. A lunar year is 354.367 days long. There are 1.03069 lunar years in a solar year of 365.242 days.
{3} Exodus 7
{4} Ex 9:33
{5} Ex 4:9
{6} Ex 4:21
{7} 'Kyrios' was His most popular title, implying that many early believers considered Jesus to be a mystery deity. See Rudolf Bultmann, PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY IN ITS CONTEMPORARY SETTING.
{8} Is 45:1
{9} PMB, p 68
{10} Some believe that the physical Ark is preserved in a sanctuary at Axum, Ethiopia. See Graham Hancock, THE SIGN AND THE SEAL.
{11} Dan 10:13, 21, 12:1; Rev 12:7
{12} See Chapter 1, Note 1.

Notes TO CHAPTER 12
{1} Much of this chapter has been explained by 'Abdu'l-Baha in SAQ, Chapter 13.
{2} REB: Gen 49:17
{3} Dan 12:1
{4} Dan 7:25 and 12:7. This is just one-half of the 7 'times' specified in Daniel 4:23. The starting point of the 7 times is discovered by correlating Daniel 2:1 with 4:29. The result is 3 years after Nebuchadnezzar came to power. This becomes 3 years after the year 605 BCE, or 602 BCE. Seven times are 2520 lunar years, or 2445 solar years. Accounting for the fact that there is no zeroth year in the common calendar, the seven times brings us to (2445 - 602 + 1) = 1844 CE. The Book of Daniel deals primarily with the first half of the 7 times; the Apocalypse deals primarily with the second half.

Notes TO CHAPTER 13
{1} Commemorated in the fable ARABIAN NIGHTS.
{2} Dan 7
{3} See Dan 4:30.
{4} 'Abdu'l-Baha is the 'Branch' of Isaiah 11:1 (KJV).
{5} 'The Sultan' means 'The Sovereign.'
{6} The 'Abbasids ended their career controlling only the dominion surrounding Baghdad, approximately the region of ancient Babylonia.
{7} Jesus is said to have been born at One AD, not Zero AD.

Notes TO CHAPTER 14
{1} GPB, p 243
{2} GWB, p 13
{3} WOB, pp 103-104; GPB, pp 94-96
{4} WOB, p 111
{5} The archetypal value of 144 'thousands' is 9. That is: (1 + 4 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 0) = 9.
{6} At this point, it is worthwhile to consider the angels who deliver the various messages to John. Recall that 'Abdu'l-Baha has informed us that there are many meanings to each word of the Apocalypse. In my opinion, there are meanings latent in the numbers, messages, and ordering of the angels beyond those already discerned. In the case of the six angels who are presented in this chapter, it seems to me that they probably represent the Mediators who prophesied the coming of Baha'u'llah, the Divine Reaper. These were Krishna, Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. The Bab is a sixth Mediator who is a part of that Judgement, and who also warned us of the Advent of "One Whom God will make Manifest," Baha'u'llah. Three mediating angels have already appeared in this chapter. At verse 6 we find an angel preaching the 'everlasting gospel,' while at verse 8, we find one announcing the fall of the 'city' of the corrupted Word of God. The clues are scanty, and the conclusions correspondingly tenuous, but the wording of the two verses indicate to me that the first angel is probably Lord Krishna, who preached extensively of recurring Avatars, while the second angel probably represents the Great Reformer, Lord Buddha. In verses 9-11 the clues are more ample. Chapters 11, 12, and 13 offer extensive and credible evidence that the third angel is probably Muhammad.
{7} Genesis 11:9
{8} BOC, pp 84-90
{9} GWB, pp 14, 40-42; BOC, pp 76-77
{10} TSV, pp 4, 36-37
{11} and RSV: Daniel 7:13. (The REB translates Dan 7:13 and Rev 1:13 as 'one like a human being.') In the RSV Daniel, the one like the Son of Man is introduced to the Ancient of Days; but the Ancient of Days has characteristics resembling the one like the Son of Man in Rev 11:13! The seeming paradox can be resolved by the concept of different spiritual worlds as revealed by Baha'u'llah in his TABLET OF ALL FOOD. Daniel is witnessing the world of Lahut; John is witnessing the world of Jabarut.
{12} Without spirituality, man has no meaningful history. A human world totally devoid of spirituality would decay to the level of the brute, and history would cease.
{13} Matt 21:33-41
{14} Matthew 16:27
{15} In WOB, p 104, Baha'u'llah speaks with the VOICE of the Son of Man; this Tablet could be interpreted as meaning that He does not actually claim the title, but does claim the 'voice.'
{16} Is 11
{17} In THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED, I suggested that the altar angel was probably Jesus Christ. The whole subject of the identities and symbolism of the various angels in the Apocalypse deserves more study by some enterprising scholar.
{18} That is, (1 + 6 + 0 + 0) equals 7.
{19} Micah 4:10; Ez 1:1, 28, 43:1-4; Zec 4. Cf. Ezra 5:2 & Zech 4:9. [The river Chebar or Kabar empties into the Euphrates at Babylon. 'Zerubabel' means 'Banished in Babylon.']

Notes TO CHAPTER 15
{1} GWB, p 270
{2} Isaiah 11
{3} The Ka'bih at Mecca is also a tent in the shape of a perfect cube. Plato in his TIMAEUS ascribed a cubical shape to the 'element earth.' The 4 fabrics of the Tabernacle and the priestly garment may have symbolized the 4 elements of fire, air, earth and water (Muller, HISTORY OF JEWISH MYSTICISM, p 14). In his TOPIGRAPHICA CHRISTIANA, the 6th century monk Cosmas likened the earth to the Tabernacle except on a greatly enlarged scale; the ground corresponded to the floor, the sky to its walls and ceiling.
{4} GWB, pp 47, 311
{5} BOC, p 76
{6} Also 1 Kings 8:11

Notes TO CHAPTER 16
{1} E.g., Lord Curzon, PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN QUESTION.
{2} The Civilizing Hero is called the 'God incarnate in man' by Arnold J. Toynbee and the 'Hero with a thousand faces' by Joseph Campbell.
{3} GWB, pp 151, 29; PMB, p 42; Qur'an 39:65-70
{4} There would be only three 'Kings of the East': Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi.
{5} Exodus 8
{6} Ex 8:7
{7} Matt 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40; Rev 3:3.
{8} E.g., Is 35:2, 41:2: Jer 49:38; Ez 43:2; Hosea 2:15; Micah 7:12-15; Matt 24:3, 27, 36. In these prophecies, Assyria included old Babylonia, etc.; Elam was a region included in Persia; 'Achor' literally means 'trouble,' an occult name for modern 'Akka.
{9} SE: TPDIC, p 117
{10} GWB, p 39
{11} GWB, pp 198, 40, 136
{12} Matt 16:27

Notes TO CHAPTER 17
{1} GWB, p 18)
{2} In THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED published in 1981, I proposed Alexander's empire as the beast that 'was, is not, yet is.' Based on the analysis of A.J. Toynbee in his monumental A STUDY OF HISTORY, I have decided that the Persian empire is the correct solution to the riddle.
{3} From the date of the Apocalypse, circa 104 CE, until the beginning of Muhammad's Dispensation: Syria-Palestine was dominated by Romans, Persians and Byzantines. Arabia was dominated by Romans, Byzantines, Abyssinians and Persians. Egypt was dominated by Romans and Byzantines. Libya was dominated by Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines. Spain was dominated by Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and Byzantines. West Turkestan, later to become Transoxania, remained an amorphous region dominated in turn by various invaders. Only Persia, under the Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanid dynasties, remained sovereign.
{4} If one counts only the mainstream Caliphs, there were also 10 un-repeated names of chiefs of the Seljuk dynasty that seized power from the 'Abbasids. See commentary, Rev 13:13- 14.
{5} In Rev 17:14, we find the epithet 'Lord of lords, and King of kings.' In Rev 19:16 we find the epithet capitalized and reversed: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. The reversing of the epithet suggests that the 'Lamb' of 17:14 is not the same Figure as 'Faithful and True' of verse 19:16. In fact, 17:14 refers to the Bab while 19:16 refers to Baha'u'llah. Collectively, they are the 'Twin Manifestation.' See A NOTE CONCERNING TITLES in the INTRODUCTION.
{6} TOA; GWB, pp 77, 292, 145. The Bab is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings- BOC: pp 123-4

Notes TO CHAPTER 18
{1} GWB, pp 339-40, 181, 321
{2} Isaiah 47
{3} Luke 17:2
{4} As in the ancient Islandic legend of 'Amlodhi's Mill.' See de Santillana et al, HAMLET'S MILL.
{5} Jer 25:10
{6} Jer 51:58-64

Notes TO 2

{1} Cf. Isaiah 47 & 54
{2} Matthew 22:1-13. Repeated with variations in Luke 14:16-24.
{3} Gen 37:31-33
{4} BWF, p 47
{5} All caps to indicate that he rules over the other Kings of kings, and Lords of lords.
{6} BOL, p 49; GPB, p 206. Baha'u'llah was given the title 'Lord of Lords' by the Bab in the Persian Bayan: GPB, p 94.
{7} Matthew 22:12
{8} NEB: Matthew 22:14
{9} See A NOTE CONCERNING TITLES in the INTODUCTION.

Notes TO CHAPTER 20
{1} This sequence differs slightly from that proposed in THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED.
{2} See commentary Rev 5:5.
{3} John 3:7
{4} The resurrections that occurred during the Piscean Age were apparently suppressed and minimized by satanic forces. Both Jesus and Muhammad prophesied that the Great Resurrection would occur but at a time known only to God. See, e.g., Luke 14:14; Matthew 24:36; Qur'an 99:2, 27:66-67.
{5} BOC, p 118; Qur'an 7:178
{6} Ez 38
{7} ROM, p 50
{8} Ez 38:8
{9} Ez 38:12
{10} Rev 20:9; Ez 38:21-23
{11} Qur'an 21:96
{12} Qur'an 18:82-96
{13} Ez 38:22
{14} Qur'an 18:100
{15} We note that the phrase "from whose face earth and heaven fled away" tends to favor the first interpretation since it correlates with Rev 6:12-17. On the other hand 'heaven and earth' (the former Spiritual and Material Laws of God) always 'flee' from the face of a Manifestation of God.
{16} Note that 'thrones' is plural. If there were a single individual who is to have the power of judgment during the Millennium, the word would be singular.

Notes TO CHAPTER 21
{1} BWF, p 350
{2} Is 54:5-6
{3} See Rev 2:17, 3:12
{4} REB: Isaiah 65
{5} Is 65:1; BH: WOB, p 104; GPB, 169
{6} Is 65:10
{7} Is 65:11-12
{8} Is 65:17
{9} Is 65:20
{10} Is 65:25
{11} The REB version of Isaiah 65:16 reads: "Anyone in the land invoking a blessing on himself will do so by God whose name is Amen, and anyone in the land taking an oath will do so by God whose name is Amen, for past troubles are forgotten; they have vanished from my sight." The REB is at variance with the KJV, the RSV and the NIV. These translate 'Amen' as the 'God of truth.' I do not know the rationale for these interpretations. However, assuming that 'Amen' is introduced as a sacred name of God in the new Age, what is its meaning? In Piscean Judeo-Christian usage, the word came to mean simply 'faithful and true!', a 'seal' or an echo of assent to the truth of a spiritual statement. In Rev 3:14 we find that usage of "Amen" in reference to Muhammad, the "faithful and true witness" to the Prophethood of Jesus. The 'Rx' symbol on a prescription drug has come to mean simply a statement of clinical potency, although it was originally an abbreviation of a prayer to 'Jupiter Rex,' the king of the Roman pantheon. Similarly, 'Amon' or 'Amen' was also the name of the chief god of upper Egypt whose worship was introduced near the beginning of the Age of Aries and flourished during the Egyptian Captivity. Literally, the name means 'Hidden.' In the words of Baha'u'llah, God is the 'Unknowable Essence,' and 'the most hidden of the hidden.' Apparently, in the Leo-Aquarian Age, the ancient title might become an acceptable appellation for God, since 'past troubles are forgotten.'
{12} REB: Ezekiel 28:13-16 lists some of the stones that will be given in this and later verses. The king of Tyre, adorned with semi-precious stones, once walked on 'God's holy mountain' (Carmel), but is brought down in disgrace "from among the stones that flashed like fire." Ezekiel gives the dimensions of the holy City as 4,500 measures on each side and 18,000 measures around the perimeter. Both of these numbers have an archetypal value of 9. The dimensions of the altar are given as 12 cubits on each side, which gives an archetypal value of 9 for its area. The altar is purified for 7 days. The 7 'days' symbolize the seven Days of the Lord (Rev 1:4) that precede the Advents of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
{13} Ezekiel 48:31-34 gives a list of names of the tribes as they are to appear on the gates of a prophetic city allotted to the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel's list is at variance with Revelation 7:5-8 and does not appear to have astrological significance.
{14} using Luke's 6:14-16 list.
{15} See Zech 11:13 and commentary Rev 7:5-8.
{15}{16} TAB, pp 92-94; WAB, pp 164-167
{17} AB: SAQ, pp 284-286
{18} AB: SAQ, p 67. See also Joshua 4 and Matthew 19:28.
{19} The orientation of the holy City follows the canon of the four cardinal directions. We find the same canon applied, for example, to the Giza pyramids. The three gates in each wall represent the three zodiacal signs centered about that cardinal direction.
{20} TAB, pp 92-94; WAB, pp 164-167
{21} Reported by E.T. Hall of Manchester, England on February 28, 1920.
{22} Recent discoveries by certain Egyptologists indicate that astrology played an important part in the design and placement of the Giza pyramids. In contrast to the pyramid of the new Jerusalem, the Great Pyramid of Giza has a base that lies OUTSIDE the circle. There are many other interesting facts and speculations concerning the Great Pyramid of Giza, but only pertinent characteristics will be recited.
{23} That is, the 'Quadratura Circuli,' discussed in depth by Carl Jung in PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION, Yale University Press, 1971. See SOME NUMEROLOGY in the INTRODUCTION.
{24} Cf. Zech 1:8-21 with Rev 6:1-8, 7:1.
{25} See TAB, pp 538-40
{26} Approximately 25,920 solar years. Also called a Great Year or a Platonic Year.
{27} Proof not given here. Some of the results follow from the 'circular property of 9,' that is, any real, positive, non-zero number multiplied by 9 will have an archetypal value of 9.
{28} The interested reader may test other theories of his own, such as by letting each edge of the pyramid equal 12,000 measures, or by assuming a cubical shape for the holy City. Regardless of the assumptions posited, the number 9 will appear with high frequency in the archetypal values of the parameters.
{29} This interpretation of the 12 Foundation Stones is based on a pilgrim's note purportedly given to Shahnaz Waite by 'Abdu'l-Baha. My typed copy contains many typographical and other errors. I have taken some liberties with the text of the note to correct obvious errors, make it more readable, and to elaborate on certain portions where I considered it productive to do so. In particular, I included 'justice' as an attribute of the sapphire in accordance with the ancient Egyptian priesthood's use of the stone to represent 'truth and justice.' The Twelve Basic Principles as listed here can be found in several issues of STAR OF THE WEST beginning with Vol 10, March 20, 1920.
{30} BH: NTG, Aug 1st.
{31} Occultly derived from Exodus 14:19-21. (See KLIMA in the INTRODUCTION.) The set of 72 names was further divided into 4 groups of 18 names in correspondence with the four letters of the Tetragrammaton, and apparently in correspondence with the four zodiacal seasons. Astrologers describe the attributes of a sign of the visible zodiac in 6-term combinations of: masculine or feminine; diurnal or nocturnal; commanding, melancholy, phlegmatic or sanguine; earthy, airy, fiery or watery; hot or cold; dry or wet. There are probably other secrets in the number 144 that will not be discussed here.
{32} REB: Isaiah 54:11
{33} Is 54:11
{34} From Lat. 'templus'; Hebrew for Temple is 'beth Jehovah' or 'hecal Jehovah,' a residence or palace of Jehovah.
{35} Ex 6:12-13
{36} See Mal 2:8; Mark 7:5-8.
{37} Is 60:11, 19-20
{38} Is 60:1
{39} Is 60:14
{40} Is 60:4, 9
{41} The Pantocrator is thrice-holy in 4:8.
{42} The Bab: SWB, p 129 fn
{43} See commentary Rev 7:5-8.
{44} In THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED, I proposed that the Bab was the 'Moon' in this verse. The moon is a reflector of the sun's light. Since he was a Manifestation of God, the Bab was a 'Sun,' not a 'Moon.'

Notes TO CHAPTER 22
{1} NTG, Aug 3rd.
{2} Ex 33:11. But in Ex 33:18, Moses seems unsatisfied with this arrangement and requests that he be permitted to see His 'Glory' (Heb 'Kabowd'). Psalms 73:24 reads (REB) "You guide me by your counsel and afterwards you will receive me with glory.
{3} We also note that Ez 9:3-4 (REB) reads: 3 "The glory of God of Israel ..... called to the man dressed in linen, with pen and ink at his waist. 4 'Go through the city of Jerusalem,' said the Lord, 'and mark with a cross the foreheads of those who groan and lament over all the abominations practiced there.' "
{4} Cf. Rev 1:17, 19:10.
{5} Cf. Rev 1:3, 10:4.
{6} REB, NIV and RSV: 1:8, 21:6 and 22:13. In the KJV, it also occurs (spuriously?) at 1:11.
{7} Is 44:6-7
{8} Jesus reveals that "many of the first will be last, and the last first." (REB) Mark 10:28-31; also see Matt 20:1-16. Jesus' words imply that many of those who are the first to accept his own Manifestation may be the last to accept the Manifestation of the Age to come. Confirmed Baha'is, even former atheists, readily accept the validity of the Manifestations of all previous Ages, including Jesus Christ and Muhammad.
{10} GWB, p 104
{11} Cf. Matt 2:2. The 'rising star' seen by the astrologers from the East (Zoroastrians?) was probably the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter that occurred in 6 BCE.
{12} A few variations in versions of the Apocalypse have already been noted. Certain Christian groups have rejected the Apocalypse altogether.
{13} in Hebrew! Later equally heroic attempts have been made to equate 666 to various favored villains. Besides the Caliph, Napoleon may have had enough villainous stature to qualify for the number, especially since he is the subject of Daniel 11:36-45.
{14} Baha'u'llah explains that the phrase 'the Alpha and the Omega' means 'the Word of God,' and thus it can be applied collectively to every Manifestation of God, since they "are regarded as one soul and the same person, ... utter the same speech, and proclaim the same Faith." However, Shoghi Effendi explains that, in the Apocalypse, the title specifically refers to Baha'u'llah. (BH: TTJ; WOB, p 115; SE: GPB, p 95
{15} at 1:8, 1:11(?), 21:6, 22:13.
{16} See commentary, Rev 5:5.

NOTES TO APPENDIX A
{1} In at least one version of the Apocalypse, the Alpha is spelled out while the Omega remains a single letter. The literal value of this version is 1332, which is twice-666.
{2} The hamza is a glottal stop with the value of 1, the same value as the alif.

SOME BAHA'I APOCALYPTIC WRITINGS
The following writings have been used as background material for much of this Commentary on the Apocalypse. They are described in more detail in THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED.

GENERAL:
'Abdu'l-Baha: BS, Sections 92, 804
'Abdu'l-Baha: TAB, pp. 285-6, 294, 678-81
'Abdu'l-Baha: SOW, Vol. 8, p 180
Shoghi Effendi: GPB, pp 48-9, 57-8, 93-100, 238-40
Mirza Asadu'llah: SOW, Vol. 2, No.1, pp. 3-4
Mirza Asadu'llah: SM, pp 112-19

CHAPTER number:

VERSES; AUTHOR; SOURCE

CHAPTER 1:
4; Shoghi Effendi; BAHA'I NEWS, No. 77, Sept 1933
7; Baha'u'llah; BOC, pp 71-3, 216-7
4, 16, 20; The Universal House of Justice; Letter to individual believer, Aug. 7, 1978
4; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SAQ, p 179
8; 'Abdu'l-Baha; PT, p 51
8; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, p 95
8; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SAQ, p 254
8; Baha'u'llah; TTJ
8; 'Abdu'l-Baha; WAB, p 13
11-16; Baha'u'llah; TOM

CHAPTER 2:
17; Baha'u'llah; GWB, p 195
17; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SOW, Vol 11, p 275
17; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, p 677

CHAPTER 4:
4; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, pp 7-8
4; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SAQ, pp 86-7
4; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, p 39

CHAPTER 6:
12-13; Baha'u'llah; BOC, pp 33-4, 36-41

CHAPTER 9:
12; Shoghi Effendi; M-to-A; pp 99-100

CHAPTER 11:
all; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SAQ, pp 53-71 11-14; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, pp 49-50 13; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, pp 53-54 13; Mirza Asadu'llah; SM, pp 16-17

CHAPTER 12: all; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SAQ, pp 77-82

CHAPTER 13: 8; Louis Gregory & Mirza Abu'l-Fadl; SOW, Vol 13, No 14 18; 'Abdu'l-Baha; Two Tablets to individual believers

CHAPTER 16: 16; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SOW, Vol 10, No 3 16; 'Abdu'l-Baha; 'ABDU'L-BAHA, pp 259, 438 16; Shoghi Effendi; WOB, pp 4-7

CHAPTER 19: 16; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, p 206

CHAPTER 20: 3; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, pp 659-60 4; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, pp 396-7, 429-30, 643-4 7; Shoghi Effendi; Baha'i News, No 89, Jan 1935, p 1

CHAPTER 21: 1-2; 'Abdu'l-Baha; SOW, Vol 18, No 197 1-2; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, pp 538-40 1-2; Shoghi Effendi; Baha'i News, No 134, Mar 1940, p 2 1-2; 'Abdu'l-Baha; PUP, pp 17-8, 35-6, 97-8 1-2; Mirza Asadu'llah; SM, pp 37-40 1-2; Baha'u'llah; ESW, pp 144-5 1-2; Shoghi Effendi; GPB, p 213 1-2; Shoghi Effendi; WOB, pp 204-6 1-2; 'Abdu'l-Baha; PT, p 84 1-7; 'Abdu'l-Baha; BWF, pp 350-1 and WAB, pp 12-3 2; Shoghi Effendi; ADJ, pp 64-7 2; 'Abdu'l-Baha; BWF, pp 380-1 10-17; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, pp 92-4 and WAB, pp 164-7 15; 'Abdu'l-Baha; pilgrim's note to E.T. Hall, 1920 19-20; 'Abdu'l-Baha; pilgrim's note to S. Waite, circa 1920 19-20; ?; SOW, Vol 10, Mar 20, 1920, pp 358-9 22-23; 'Abdu'l-Baha; TAB, pp 10-11 23; Baha'u'llah; BS, Sect 47, p 117 23; Mirza Abu'l-Fadl; SOW, Nov 22, 1902

SOME BIBLICAL REFERENCES

SYMBOLISM:

Wind- Gen 8:1; Ex 10:13, 19, 14:21, 15:10; Num 11:31; 2 Sam 22:11; 1 Kings 19:11; Ps 18:10, 78:26, 104:3, 107:25; Jer 49:36; Is 59:19, 60:19-20; Ez 37:9; Dan 7:2; Zech 2:6; Matt 8:26-7 Dogs and pigs: Matt 7:6 Millstone: Luke 17:2 'Heaven and earth': Matt 24:35 Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:9 'Tree of Life': Gen 2:9 Horn' as a name: Dan 7:8, 11, 20-24, 8:5-22 'Horn' as a 'head': Ps 92:10, 112:9 'See': Is 6:9-10; Matt 13:14-19, 24:15; John 9:39; Acts 28:26-27; Romans 1:20. Cf Matt 17:10-13 with 2 Kings 2:11 & Mal 4:5 'Death,' 'sleep,' etc.: Gen 2:17; Ez 18:21-23; Matt 8:21-22, 10:28; John 11:25, 17:3; 1 Tim 5:6; Raised from death: Romans 1:2 'Clouds': Ps 97:2; Is 44:22, 50:3; Ez 30:1-3, 32:7-8; Zeph 1:14-15; Stars shall fall, etc.- Matt 24:29-30 Rod of Iron- Is 11:4 'Manna' = 'Word of God'- John 1:1-2, 3:34, 6:33 ff, 6:50-51, 12:49; Wisdom 9:17 Door: Psalm 24:7-10; Ez 43:1-4 The rejected stone: Ps 118:22 'Seven eyes'- Zech 3:9- 4:10 Seven suns: Is 30:26 Tree: Gen 2:9; Ps 1:3; Prov 3:18; Dan 4:10, 20-22; Matt 3:10, 7:19, 12:33 Sun and heat- Eccl (e.g.) 3:16, 4:1-16, 5:13, 18, 6:1; Is 49:10; Ps 121:6; Jonah 4:8; Mal 4:1-2 Water- Is 12:3, 49:10; Jer 2:13, 17:13; Ez 36:25; John 4:10-14; Zec 14:8 Hunger- Ex 16:3-4; Deut 8:3; Neh 9:15; Ps 34:10; Amos 8:11-12; Matt 5:6; Luke 6:21, 25; John 6:35 Fire: E.g., Is 1:25, 10:17, 30:27-33, 33:11, 66:15-16; Amos 2:5; Ps 29:7-8, 83:14-15; Mal 3:2-3; Jer 13:9; Heb 12:29 Grass and green things: Job 5:25, 8:16, 15:32, Ps 23:2, 37:2, 35-36, 52:8, 72:6, 90:5-6, 92:7, 102:4, 103:15-16, 129:6-8; Pr 19:12; Is 37:27, 40:6-8, 44:3-4, 51:12; Jer 11:16, 17:8; Ez 17:24; Hos 14:8; Micah 5:7; Luke 23:30-31; James 1:10-11; 1 Peter 1:24-25 Voices: Gen 4:10; Ec 5:3-7; Ps 55:3, 58:5, 74:23 Thunder, etc.: E.g., Ps 46:6, 77:18, 93:3-5, 104:7 Sea and dry land: E.g.: Exodus 14:16-29; Haggai 2:6-7 Rain: Ps 72:6; Pr 16:15; Is 5:6, 55:10-11; Jer 5:24, 14:22; Ez 1:28, 38:22; Hos 10:12; Amos 4:7; Zec 14:17-18; Matt 5:45 Hail: Ps 11:6, 105:22 Earthquake: Ps 114:7; 1 Chron 16:29-34; Joel 3:16; Amos 8:8; Is 13:13, 14:16; Hag 2:6-7; Heb 12:26-27 Sun, moon and stars: Amos 8:9; Ezek 32:7-8; Job 38:7; Num 24:17; Acts 2:20; Jude 1:13; Matt 24:29; Obad 1:4; Gen 37:9; Deut 17:3; Ps 72:5, 121:6, 136:8-9, 148:3; Is 60:19-20, 14:12; 13:10, 30:26; Jer 31:35; Joel 2:10, 31, 3:15; Micah 3:6; Luke 21:25 Heavens rolled up: Is 34:4; Matt 24:29-30 Mountains, valleys: Ps 114:4; Is 14:25-26, 2:2-3, 40:4, 65:23-25; Jer 48:8; Micah 1:3-4; Luke 23:30; 3:4-5; Dan 2; John 4:21 Dens, islands, rocks: Ps 18:2; Deut 32:4, 30, 31 Fire and brimstone: Gen 19:24; Deut 29:23; Job 18:15; Ps 11:6; Is 30:33, 34:9; Ez 38:22; Luke 17:29 Birds: Gen 40:17-19; Lev 14:6-53; Ps 11:1, 35:7, 124:7; Jer 4:25, 5:27, 12:4-9; Ez 13:20, 39:4; Ec 10:20; Hosea 9:11, 11:11; Dan 4:33; Lam 3:52; Is 31:5, 46:11; Matt 13:32; Luke 17:20, 37 Frogs: Exodus 8 Altar: E.g., Ex 30:1, 27, 31:8, 35:15, 40:5; 1 Kings 1:50-51; 2 Chron 6:22; Amos 3:14; Matt 23:18-22 Dead (Gr: 'Nekros' = lit. or fig. 'dead')- all of Revelation except Rev 11; all N.T. direct quotes of Jesus except: Matt 9:24; Mark 5:39; Luke 8:52, 10:30; John 6:49, 58, 11:14, 25 Dead (Gr: 'Ptoma' = 'a lifeless body')- Rev 11 Dead (Gr: 'Apothnesco' = lit. or fig. 'to die off')- Matt 9:24; Mark 5:39; Luke 8:52; John 6:49, 58, 11:14, 25 Dead (Gr: 'Anazao' = lit. or fig. 'be alive again')- Luke 15:24, 32 Alive (Gr: 'Zao' = lit. or fig. 'lively')- Rev 1:18, 2:8 Stand (Heb: ''Amad' = lit. and fig. 'arise')- Dan 12:1, 13 Awake (Heb: 'Quwts' = lit. or fig. 'arise')- Dan 12:2 'mark' as a 'sign' or 'token' (Heb 'oth'): Gen 4:15; Deut 11:18 'mark' as a 'signature' (Heb 'tawv'): Ez 9:4, 6 'mark' as a 'badge of servitude' (Gr 'charagma'): Rev 13:16, 17, 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, 20:4 'image' as a 'resemblance' (Heb 'tselen'): Gen 1:26 'image' as a 'resemblance' (Gr 'eikon'): Matt 22:20; Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24; Rev 13:14, 15, 14:9, 11, !5:2, 16:2, 19:20, 20:4

PARABLE AND ALLEGORY:

Allegory used in the Bible: Matt 13:10-23, 36-43, 15:8-20, 16:11-12, 17:11-13, 22:29-32, 26:26-28; Mark 4:10-12, 34; 1 Cor 2:13-14, 4:20, 10:1-4, 14:15-20; 2 Cor 4:18; Gal 4:21-26 Parable of the Vineyard: Matt 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16 Parable of the Talents: Matt 16:21, 25:1, 14-30 Parable of the Feast: Matthew 22:1-13; Luke 14:16-24. Cf. Isaiah 47 & 54;

NUMBERS AND NUMEROLOGY:

Forty: Ex 24:18; Gen 7:4, 12, 8:6, 18:29, 50:3; Numbers 13:25, 14:33-34; Deut 2:7, 8:2-4, 25, 9:18-25; 1 Kings 19:8; Ezek 4:6, 16:35, 24:18, 29:11; Jonah 3:4; 1 Sam 17:16; Matt 4:2; Acts 1:3; Ps 95:10; Micah (KJV) 7:15; Josh 5:6, 13:1; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2 '72'- Num 11:25-6; Luke (REB, NIV) 10:1 'Thrice'- Ex 34:23-4; 2 Kings 13:18-19, 25; Matt 26:34; Luke 22:34; John 13:38; Acts 10:16 Seven times seven: Lev 25:8-12; Deut 16:9 Seventy times seven: Dan 9:24; Matt 18:21-22 Two olive trees: Zech 4:3, 11-14; Exodus 7; Ex 9:33, Ex 4:9, Ex 4:21 The 12 stones of the priestly breastplate- Ex 39:12 Four horses of heaven- Zech 6:2-3 Bonding of souls- Matt 13; Mark 4:30-34

AGES AND ASTROLOGY:

Future Ages: Ps 72:5; Matt 12:32, 24:3, 26:29, 28:20 (RSV); 1 Cor10:11 Four corners: Zech 1:8-21 The cosmic machine- Ezek 1, 10 Cosmic seasons- Mark 13:28-29 Age of Aries- Acts 17:23 (Egyptian cult of Ram = 'Amon' = 'Occult') 'Lamb of God'- John 1:29, 36 Age of Pisces- Matt 2:1-2 Golden calf (Age of Taurus)- Ex 32:23 Four horses of heaven- Zech 6:2-3 'Forever' is an 'Aeon'- Cf. Matt 28:20 in KJV and RSV; 1 Peter 1:5, 20, 4:7; 1 Cor 10:11; Jude 18

PROGRESSIVE REVELATION:

Progressive Revelation: Heb 4:14, 6:20, 7:12; 9:15-28 (cf. 1 Tim2:5 & 2 Cor 3:7-11) Future Manifestations: Matt 16:27, 19:28, 24:3, 30, 44; Mark 13:26; Luke 9:26, 17:24-26, 30, 18:8; John 14:16, 17, 26, 15:26, 16:7, 8, 13 Jesus foretold by Moses: Deut 18:15-19; John 5:46 "Fierce as a Lion to Judah" (Third-Day prophecy)- Hosea 5:14 - 6:2. [The three 'days' are the Dispensations of Jesus, Muhammad and the Bab. The Bab's Declaration came a few weeks after the Edict of Toleration that permitted the Jews to resettle the Holy Land.] New song- Is 42:9-10, 43:19

THE BOOKS WERE SEALED:Dan 12:4, 8-9; John 16:12-13; 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

STATION OF A MANIFESTATION:

Son of God: John 10:34-35; Psalm 82:6-8; Romans 1:3-4; Heb 1:4-6 Jesus' relationship to Abraham: John 8:58 The Manifestation as a 'Mirror'- Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3-4 " I and my Father are one."- John 10:30 Autonomy of a Manifestation- John 5:26-27

RESURRECTION AND THE RAPTURE:

Born again: John 3:5-7, 6:54-8 The time known only to God: Luke 14:14; Matthew 24:36 The 'Rapture'- Cf. 1 Thess 4:16 and Ephesians 2:5-7 Resurrection: (Gr: 'Anastasis' = 'a standing up again' = lit. 'a resurrection from death' or fig. 'a moral recovery of spiritual truth')- Rev 20:5, 6; all direct quotes of Jesus in the Gospels (i.e., Matt 22:30-31; Luke 14:14, 20:35-36; John 5:29, 11:25); also Matt 27:53, 12:18, 23; Mark 12:26-27; Luke 20:27, 33; John 11:24 Resurrection (Gr: 'Egersis' = lit. 'a resurgence from death' or fig. 'an awakening from inactivity')- Matt 27:53 Resurrection (Gr: 'Exanastasis' = lit. 'a rising from death')- Philippians 3:11 The 'Rapture': Raised (Gr: 'Egeiro' = lit. 'to waken from sleep or death' or fig. 'to rouse from inactivity')- Eph 1:20 Raised (Gr: 'Sunegeiro' = lit. 'to rouse from death in company with' or fig. 'to revivify spiritually in resemblance to')- Eph 2:6 Caught up (Gr: 'Harpazo' = 'to seize' in various applications)- 1 Thes 4:17; Rev 12:5 Alive (Gr: 'Zao' [see above])- 1 Thes 4:15, 17

DISPENSATION OF BAHA'U'LLAH:

One name for God: Zech 14:9 One God: Eph 4:4-6; Gal 3:20; Mal 2:10 One shepherd: John 10:16 As bright as 7 suns: Is 30:26 Day not followed by Night- Zech 14:7 Deliverance of daughter of Zion: Is 62:11 Falcon from the east: Is 46:10-11 Word renewed at Babylon: Micah 4:10; Ez 1:1, 28, 43:1-4; Zec 4. Cf. Ezra 5:2 & Zech 4:9. [The river Chebar or Kabar empties into the Euphrates at Babylon. 'Zerubabel' means 'Banished in Babylon.'] " Here am I, here am I": Is 65:1 One like the son of man: Daniel 7:13 Marriage of the Lamb: Isaiah 47 & 54 Mystical references to Baha' (Glory): Is 60:1-2; Hab 2:14; (Beth and Ayn:) 1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chron 3:15 ; Exod 13:21; Ruth 4:21 Lord of Hosts, First and Last, Latter Day Redeemer, King of Glory: Is 41:4, 14, 44:6, 47:4, 48:12, 59:19-21; Ps 24:7- 10; Job 19:25; Jer 23:5-8 God of Glory: Acts 7:2 Spirit of Truth: John 16:12-15 Throne of Glory: Jer 14:21; Ez 1:26; Matt 19:28, 25:31 'Zerubbabel' ( = 'Banished in Babylon' = Baha'u'llah)- Haggai 2:23; Zech 3:9- 4:10 Rod of Jesse: Is 11:1, 10 Michael: Dan 10:13, 21, 12:1-4. [Also see Exodus 23:23. 'My Angel' = 'Michael' by rearrangement of the Hebrew letters. This is an ancient form of letter mysticism called 'temurah.'] Birth of Michael: Dan 12:1 The 'Return'- Luke 13:35; Matt 16:27, 17:10-13, 25:31-33 Thief in the Night- Matt 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40; Cf. 2 Peter and Wisdom 17:19-18:1 Glory [ = Heb 'Kabowd' = Gr 'Doxa' = 'palpable manifestation'] E.g.: Deut 5:24; 1 Sam 4:21; Ps 73:24; Is 3:8, 6:3; Ez 39:21; Matt 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 9:26, 21:27, 24:26 Glory of God: E.g.: Ex 16:7, 10, 24:16, 33:18, 40:34; Lev 9:6; Num 14:10; Ps 19:1, 24:7-10, 102:16, 138:5; Is 35:2, 40:5, 60:1, 11, 19-20; Ez 1:28, 3:12, 43:1-4, 9:3, 10:4, 18, 19, 11:22, 23; Hab 2:14; Hag 2:7; Matt 16:27; Mark 8:38; Luke 2:9, 9:26; John 11:4, 40, 17:5, 22, 24, 9:26, 21:27, 24:26; Acts 7:55 Glory of God at Babylon [at the river Kebar]: Ez 3:23, 8:4, 43:1-5 Glory of God fills the Sanctuary: 1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chron 5:14 Cloak dyed red; winepress, etc.: Gen 37:31-33, 49:11; Isaiah 63:1-3 Rejection of Baha'u'llah: Luke 17:22-25; Is 60:1-3 Forty-year Ministry: KJV: Micah 7:15 Israel's call to return: Is 5:24-26, 60:4, 9

THE BRANCH, 'ABDU'L-BAHA: Isaiah 11:1 (KJV).

THE CHILD, SHOGHI EFFENDI: Is 11:6

CARMEL:

Carmel: 1 Kings 19:8; Is 35:2; Jer 46:18, 50:19 Napoleon at Carmel: Dan 11:45 to 12:1 Baha'u'llah at Carmel: E.g., Is 35:2, 41:2; Is 65: Jer 49:38; Ez 43:2; Hosea 2:15; Micah 7:12-15; Matt 24:3, 27, 36. In these prophecies, Assyria included old Babylonia, etc.; Elam was a region included in Persia; 'Achor' literally means 'trouble,' an occult name for modern 'Akka;

OLIVE TREES:

Olive trees: Ps 52:8; Jer 11:16; Hos 14:6 Two olive trees: Zech 4:3, 11-14

BABYLON:

Fall of Babylon: Isaiah 47 Fall of Israel to Babylon: Jer 25:10 Babylon; Ps 137:8; Is 21:9, 48:14; Jer 29:15; Jer 50; Zec 2:7 Babylon in ruins: Jer 51:58, 64 Daughter of Babylon: Is 47 Word renewed at Babylon: Micah 4:10; Ez 1:1, 28, 43:1-4; Zec 4. Cf. Ezra 5:2 & Zech 4:9. [The river Chebar or Kabar empties into the Euphrates at Babylon. 'Zerubabel' means 'Banished in Babylon.']

DAY OF THE LORD:

A Day of the Lord = 'a thousand years': Ps 90:4 Woe: Is 3:9, 11, 5:8-22, 29:15; Ez 13:3, 18, 34:2; Luke 11:42-52 Woe attends a Day of the Lord: Amos 5:18 Rejection of Messengers: Matt 23:29-39; Acts 7:51-53

SATAN:

Leviathan: Is 27:1 Dragon: Is 51:9; Ezek 29:3 Scorpion: Gen 49:17-18 Serpent: E.g., Gen 3:1; Ex 4:4-5; Matt 10:16; Job 26:13; Is 27:1, 14:29; Amos 9:3. Cf: Numbers 21:9 and John 3:14-15 Satan: E.g., Job 1:6 ff; Zech 3:1 ff; Matt 4:10, 12:26, 16:22; Mark 1:13; Luke 10:18, 13:16, 22:31; Acts 26:18 Evolution of 'Satan': Cf: 2 Sam 24:1 and 1 Chron 21:1

ZION: Ps 65:1; Is 2:3-4, 59:19-21; John 4:21; Romans 9:33, 11:26; 1 Pet 2:6

ARMAGEDDON:

Megiddo: 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chron 35:22; Zech 12:11

THE ABOMINATION THAT MAKES DESOLATE:

Dan 8:13-14, 11:31, 12:11; Ez 18:12; Matt 24:15, 29, 30; Mark 13:10, 14, 24-27; Luke 21:20, 24-28

THE COVENANT:

The Covenant- Gen 9:13; Ezek 1:28, 6:12-13; 16:62, 37:26; Jer 31:4, 31-34, 32:38-40; Luke 1:72; Is 52:9, 54:10, 59:21; Ps 33:11, 105:8-9; Hos 14:7; Amos 9:11; Mic 7:18-19; Heb 8:8 Violation of the Covenant: Malachi 2:8-10; Zep 3:9; Matt 16:18-19, 28:18-20; Mark 7:5-8, 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 21:15-17; 1 Cor 4:9, 9:1-27, 12:27-31, 15:9; 2 Cor 11:5-13, 12:11; Gal 1:17-19

SACRIFICE:

Blood sacrifice- Gen 22:13-14; Ex 24:4-8; Num 6:17, 28:9; Lev 4:32-35, 16:11; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:5; Heb 9:12-14, 10:4, 11, 12; Is 40:2, 53:4-5; John 1:29, 36; Rom 12:1 'Lamb of God'- John 1:29, 36

ONLY BEGOTTEN:

Israel: Apoc of Ezra 6:55 Jesus: cf. John 1:18 in KJV and RSV

THE NEW JERUSALEM:

The new Jerusalem- Is 2:2-4, 9:6-7, Is 60, 62:1-2; Zec 14:9 Precious stones: Ezekiel 28:13-16; Is 54:11 No more curse: Isaiah 65; Zech 14:11 'Running water': Zech 14:8 List of tribes: Ezekiel 28:13-16 'wall of fire': Zech 2:1-5

PROPHETIC TIME SCALES:

A 'day' equals a 'year': Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 A Day of the Lord = 'a thousand years': Ps 90:4 'Forever' is an 'Aeon'- Cf. Matt 28:20 in KJV and RSV; 1 Peter 1:5, 20, 4:7; 1 Cor 10:11; Jude 18 3 1/2 'times': Dan 7:25 and 12:7

THRONE OF DAVID:

Throne of David- 1 Sam 16:1; 2 Sam 7:12-16; Is 9:6-7; Ez 37:24; Mal 2:10; Zep 3:9 Sons of David cut off: Ezekiel 19:4; 2 Kings 21:2-7, 24:17, 25:7; Psalm 132:11-12; Jer 15:4, 36:30; Is 63:10; Zech 12:7 Ultimate victory: Gen 49:10 Jesus denies the Throne: Matt 10:34; John 18:33-36

KEY OF DAVID: Is 22:22

MESSIAH:

Cyrus a messiah: Is 45:1 Prepare a lamp for him: Psalm (REB) 132:17 Not a son of David: Matt 22:42-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41; Psalm 110; John 18:33-36

DIVINE BESTOWAL:

David: 1 Sam 16:1; Melchizedek, Jesus: Heb 5:4-5, 7:3, 15; Baha'u'llah: Is 11

THRONE OF HEAVEN:

Jesus: John 18:36; Matt 19:28; Luke 22:30

APOSTLES OF JESUS:

As per Luke: Luke 6:12 Sons of thunder: Mark 3:17 Judas: John 13:21-30; Zech 11:7-14

GOG AND MAGOG: Ez 38

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

JUDEO-CHRISTIAN:

KJV: THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE NEB: THE NEW ENGLISH HOLY BIBLE REB: THE REVISED ENGLISH HOLY BIBLE NIV: THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE RSV: THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE Roland H. Bainton, CHRISTENDOM, Vol. 1, Harper and Row, NY, 1966 Ernst Muller, HISTORY OF JEWISH MYSTICISM, Oxford, 1946 Rudolph Bultmann, PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY IN ITS CONTEMPORARY SETTING, tr. Rev. R.H. Fuller, Meridian Books, World Publishing Co., Cleveland and New York, 1956 F.H. Colson, G.H. Whitaker, PHILO, London, 1929 Christopher Dawson, et al, SAINT AUGUSTINE, HIS AGE, LIFE AND THOUGHT, Meridian Books, the World Publishing Company, Cleveland, 1969 Graham Hancock, THE SIGN AND THE SEAL, Crown Publishers, NY, 1992

MUSLIM:

QUR'AN: THE HOLY BOOK OF ISLAM Syed Aeer Ali, THE SPIRIT OF ISLAM, W.H. Allen Co., London, 1891; Christophers, 1935 T.W. Arnold, THE PREACHING OF ISLAM, Scribners, NY, 1913 E.J. Brill, THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM, Leiden, 1913-1942, 1960- 1966 H.M. Balyuzi, MUHAMMAD AND THE COURSE OF ISLAM, George Ronald, Oxford, 1976

BAHA'I:

WAB- 'Abdu'l-Baha, SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA PT- 'Abdu'l-Baha, PARIS TALKS CB- Baha'u'llah, THE COVENANT OF BAHA'U'LLAH (KITAB-I-'AHD) SWB- The Bab, SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE BAB SDC- 'Abdu'l-Baha, THE SECRET OF DIVINE CIVILIZATION THW- Baha'u'llah, THE HIDDEN WORDS BOC- Baha'u'llah, THE BOOK OF CERTITUDE GPB - Shoghi Effendi, GOD PASSES BY WOB- Shoghi Effendi, THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH SAQ-, 'Abdu'l-Baha, SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS TDB- Nabil's Narrative, THE DAWN-BREAKERS, (trans. & edit. by Shoghi Effendi) BWF- Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, BAHA'I WORLD FAITH ROM- Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, THE REALITY OF MAN ESW- Baha'u'llah, EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF PMB- Baha'u'llah, PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS GWB- Baha'u'llah, GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH TCH- Lady Blomfield, THE CHOSEN HIGHWAY WATAB- 'Abdu'l-Baha, THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA ADJ- Shoghi Effendi, THE ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE TPDIC- Shoghi Effendi, THE PROMISED DAY IS COME PUP- 'Abdu'l-Baha, THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE TAB- 'Abdu'l-Baha, TABLETS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA ABBAS, (3 volumes) 1940 M-to-A - Shoghi Effendi, MESSAGES TO AMERICA (1932-46) SM- Mirza Asadu'llah, SACRED MYSTERIES, 1902 BS- Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, BAHA'I SCRIPTURES, 1923 TTJ: Baha'u'llah, TABLET TO THE JEWS BOL: Baha'u'llah, THE BOOK OF LAWS (KITAB-I-AQDAS) TAF: Baha'u'llah, TABLET OF ALL FOOD TOM: Baha'u'llah, TABLET OF MYSTERIES TOA: Baha'u'llah, TABLET OF AHMAD NTG: Baha'i Publishing Trust, London, NEARNESS TO GOD SOW: STAR OF THE WEST, republished by George Ronald, Oxford Adib Taherzadeh, THE REVELATION OF BAHA'U'LLAH, George Ronald, Oxford (4 volumes) Elena Maria Marsella, THE QUEST FOR EDEN, Philosophical Library, NY, 1966 Abdu'l-Qasim Faizi, EXPLANATION OF THE EMBLEM OF THE GREATEST NAME, Baha'i News, Wilmette, IL, Oct 1968 Dhikru'llah Kadem, BAHA'U'LLAH AND HIS MOST HOLY SHRINE, Baha'i News, Wilmette, IL, March 1976, No. 540 Jamshed K. Fozdar, BUDDHA MAITRYA-AMITABHA HAS APPEARED, Baha'i Publishing Trust, India, 1976 William Sears, THIEF IN THE NIGHT, George Ronald, Oxford J.E. Esslemont, BAHA'U'LLAH AND THE NEW ERA, Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, IL Ruhiyyih Rabbani, THE PRICELESS PEARL, Baha'i Publishing Trust, London H.M. Balyuzi, 'ABDU'L-BAHA, George Ronald, Oxford Usted Muhammad-'Aliy-i Salmani, MY MEMORIES OF BAHA'U'LLAH, (tr. Marzieh Gail), Kalimat Press, Los Angeles, 1982 H.M. Balyuzi, BAHA'U'LLAH, THE KING OF GLORY, George Ronald, Oxford, 1980

COMPARATIVE RELIGION:

Hans Jonas, THE GNOSTIC RELIGION, Beacon Press, Boston, 1963 Huston Smith, THE RELIGIONS OF MAN, Harper and Brothers, NY, 1958 Edward Conze, BUDDHISM: ITS ESSENCE AND DEVELOPMENT, Philosophical Library, NY, 1951 Jacques Duscesne-Guillemin, SYMBOLS AND VALUES IN ZOROASTRIANISM, Harper and Row, NY, 1966 G.R. Driver, CANAANITE MYTHS AND LEGENDS, Clark, Edinburgh, 1956 David Brady, THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND THE QUR'AN: IS THERE A POSSIBLE LITERARY RELATIONSHIP?, Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol 23, #2, Autumn, 1978

GENERAL HISTORY:

Arnold J. Toynbee, A STUDY OF HISTORY Simeon L. Guterman, RELIGIOUS TOLERATION AND PERSECUTION IN ANCIENT ROME, London, 1961 S. Runciman, THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE, 1453, Cambridge University Press, 1965 V.V. Bartold, TURKESTAN DOWN TO THE MONGOL INVASION, 2nd ed., 1958 Alexis Perrey, NOTE SUR LES TREMBLEMENTS DE TERRE, Academie Royale des Sciences des lettres et des Beaux Artes de Belgique, Bulletin, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp.291-308 of the First Series, 1855 O. Neugebauer, THE EXACT SCIENCES IN ANTIQUITY, Dover Publications, NY, 1969 Milton K. Munitz, THEORIES OF THE UNIVERSE, FROM BABYLONIAN MYTH TO MODERN SCIENCE, The Free Press, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY, 1957 Lord Curzon, PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN QUESTION

SYMBOLISM:

Carl Jung, MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS, Doubleday, Garden City, NY Carl Jung, PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION, Yale University Press, 1971 Carl Jung, PSYCHOLOGY AND ALCHEMY, Collected Works, Bollingen Series XX, NY, 1953 Otto Rank, BEYOND PSYCHOLOGY, Dover, NY, 1958 Jose A. Arguelles, THE TRANSFORMATIVE VISION, Shambhala, Berkeley, Calif, 1975 Adelaide S. Hall, A GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT SYMBOLS, Bates and Guild, Boston, 1912

ASTROLOGY:

Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha von Dechend, HAMLET'S MILL, Gambit, Boston, 1969; David R. Godine, Boston, 1977 Arthur M. Harding, PhD, ASTRONOMY, Garden City Publishing Co., NY, 1935 Alan Oken, AS ABOVE, SO BELOW, Bantam Books, NY, 1973 Robert Hand, HOROSCOPE SYMBOLS, Whitford Press, West Chester, PA, 1981

NUMEROLOGY:

Plato, TIMAEUS Aristotle, DE CAELO E.W. Bullinger, NUMBER IN SCRIPTURE, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1986 Carlo Suares, THE CIPHER OF GENESIS, Shambhala, Berkeley, 1970 John Mitchell, CITY OF REVELATION, Garnstone press, London, 1972; Ballantine Books, NY, 1973 Christopher Butler, NUMBER SYMBOLISM, Barnes and Noble, NY, 1970 F.B. Bond and Dr. T.S. Lea, GEMATRIA, Basil Blackwell, Oxford Ernest G. McClain, THE MYTH OF INVARIANCE, Shambhala, Boulder and London, 1978

MATHEMATICS:

Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken, THE SOLUTION OF THE FOUR-COLOR- MAP PROBLEM, Scientific American, October, 1977 Martin Gardner, THE COLORING OF UNUSUAL MAPS LEADS INTO UNCHARTED TERRITORY, Scientific American, Feb, 1980

SACRED GEOMETRY:

Matila Ghyka, THE GEOMETRY OF ART AND LIFE, Dover Publications, NY, 1977 R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz, THE TEMPLE IN MAN, The Autumn Press, Brookline, Mass, 1977 Peter Tompkins, SECRETS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID, Harper and Row, NY, 1971 H.E. Huntley, THE DIVINE PROPORTION, Dover Publications, NY, 1970

BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR:

THE APOCALYPSE UNSEALED, Philosophical Library, NY, 1981 I, DANIEL, can be downloaded from this web page.