Revelation 11: 19 Commentary

“And the temple of God was opened in heaven”[1] means that the divine Jerusalem is found, and the Holy of Holies has become visible. The Holy of Holies, according to the terminology of the people of wisdom, is the essence of the Divine Law, and the heavenly and true teachings of the Lord, which have not been changed in the cycle of any Prophet, as it was before explained. The sanctuary of Jerusalem is likened to the reality of the Law of God, which is the Holy of Holies; and all the laws, conventions, rites and material regulations are the city of Jerusalem — this is why it is called the heavenly Jerusalem. Briefly, as in this cycle the Sun of Reality will make the light of God shine with the utmost splendor, therefore, the essence of the teachings of God will be realized in the world of existence, and the darkness of ignorance and want of knowledge will be dispelled. The world will become a new world, and enlightenment will prevail. So the Holy of Holies will appear.
[1 Rev. 11:19.]

“And the temple of God was opened in heaven”[1] means also that by the diffusion of the divine teachings, the appearance of these heavenly mysteries, and the rising of the Sun of Reality, the doors of success and prosperity will be opened in all directions, and the signs of goodness and heavenly benedictions will be made plain.
[1 Rev. 11:19.]

“And there was seen in His temple the ark of His Testament”[1] — that is to say, the Book of His Testament will appear in His Jerusalem, the Epistle of the Covenant [2] will be established, and the meaning of the Testament and of the Covenant will become evident. The renown of God will overspread the East and West, and the proclamation of the Cause of God will fill the world. The violators of the Covenant will be degraded and dispersed, and the faithful cherished and glorified, for they cling to the Book of the Testament and are firm and steadfast in the Covenant.
[1 Rev. 11:19.]
[2 One of the works of Bahá’u'lláh, in which He expressly points to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as being the One to Whom all must turn after His death.]

“And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail,”[1] meaning that after the appearance of the Book of the Testament there will be a great storm, and the lightnings of the anger and the wrath of God will flash, the noise of the thunder of the violation of the Covenant will resound, the earthquake of doubts will take place, the hail of torments will beat upon the violators of the Covenant, and even those who profess belief will fall into trials and temptations.
[1 Rev. 11:19.]   

COMMENTARY ON THE ELEVENTH.CHAPTER OF ISAIAH

In Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10, it is said: “And there shall come forth a rod ….

(Abdu’l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 56)

By V. James (wrote 132 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/3/2011 21:26 pm