Jesus Speaks To The Islamic Religion

Bible Verses

[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Commentary

Laodicean - Islam - Commentary

V.14 John is now told to write to the SEVENTH angel, the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans. The Angel of the Islamic Faith is called the 'seventh Angel' throughout the book. Laodicea was a prosperous city in Greece (now Turkey). Fine wool and eye salve were two of its main products in demand. It also had a medical school and banking facilities. The city received its water from hot springs but because it came from some distance away by the time it arrived it had become lukewarm. The meaning of the word Laodicea is 'lukewarm'.

[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

V.15 Today a small minority of Muslims seem fanatically hot about their religion, going about as terrorists and killing all who oppose them. Unfortunately, most Muslims do not oppose them because they are neither hot or cold about their religion. They are not cold because they continue to say they are Muslims, and yet they do not put into practice the true teachings of Muhammad, which they say is the religion of peace, or they would oppose the fanatics.

[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

V.16 Threat:
Because they are spiritually lukewarm in the true spirit of love and tolerance which Muhammad taught, He says He will spew them out of His mouth, which is to say that He will reject them.

In brief, dissentions among various sects have opened the way to weakness. Each sect hath picked out a way for itself and is clinging to a certain cord. Despite manifest blindness and ignorance they pride themselves on their insight and knowledge. Among them are mystics who bear allegiance to the Faith of Islam, some of whom indulge in that which leadeth to idleness and seclusion. I swear by God! It lowereth man's station and maketh him swell with pride. Man must bring forth fruit. One who yieldeth no fruit is, in the words of the Spirit (Jesus) like unto a fruitless tree, and a fruitless tree is fit but for the fire.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 166

[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

V.17The leaders of the Arab countries appeared to be very wealthy from their oil riches, building gigantic palaces, having stables of cars and airplanes and every symbol of immense wealth for all their princes. What they failed to recognize was their own spiritual poverty and the poverty of the poor around them.

Other religious cultures such as Hindus, Buddhists, Jews and Baha'is have experienced the effect of Islamist intolerance. The true spirit of religious tolerance was very much taught by Muhammad, but now the Muslims are very often known for the opposite.

[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

V.18 The Muslims are counseled to find true spiritual values and to practice them. Those that are tried with tests (as gold is in the fire) will find the truth. He tells them to wear white raiment, which does not mean physical garments, but symbolizes 'purity'. Many are veiled in clothing, but all are told that their nakedness (lack of spiritual life) is showing, that they should anoint their eyes, to see the truth.

With their immense wealth they could have greatly benefited the world in setting up schools and eliminating illiteracy, in training doctors and medical personnel and eradicating diseases about the world, in teaching love and tolerance rather than destroying Buddhist statues, so that the message of "Peace, Peace" could be truly spread about the world as Muhammad wanted.

"O people of the Koran," Baha'u'llah, addressing the combined forces of Sunni and Shi'ih Islam, significantly affirms, "Verily the Prophet Of God, Muhammad, sheddeth tears at the sight of your cruelty. Ye have assuredly followed your evil and corrupt desires, and turned away your face from the light of guidance. Erelong will ye witness the result of your deeds: for the Lord. My God, lieth in wait and is watchful of your behaviour ... O concourse of Muslim divines! By your deeds the exalted station of the people hath been abased, the standard of Islam hath been reversed, and mighty throne hath fallen."

Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha'u'llah, p.179

[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

V.19 Failure to follow the direction of God, to love one another, will bring great chastisement upon the Muslims.

[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

V.20The Muslims particularly have been told about the Bab and and Baha'u'llah. The religion began amongst them, with the declaration of the Bab, and if they had responded to it they would have greatly flourished spiritually and intellectually and in having stable prosperous societies.

However, they have done the very opposite and have done everything that they can do to destroy the Baha'i religion, so consequently they have descended into spiritual and social degradation.

Great God! Although His signs have encompassed the world and His proofs and testimonies are shining forth and manifest as the light, yet the ignorant appear heedless, nay rather, rebellious. Would that they had been content with opposition. But at all times they are plotting to cut down the sacred Lote-Tree. Since the dawn of this Revelation the embodiments of selfishness have, by resorting to cruelty and oppression, striven to extinguish the Light of divine manifestation. But God, having stayed their hands, revealed this Light through His sovereign authority and protected it through the power of His might until earth and heaven were illumined by its radiance and brightness. Praise be unto Him under all conditions.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.33

[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

V.21 Eventually they shall have to come recognition of the Truth. Then they will receive great benefit. 'Sitting in thrones' is not a reference to sitting in chairs, but is rather a reference to being established and secure in the Lord's love and wisdom which is the seat of His Glory and Power.

[2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.

V.2 This is the Seventh and Last Angel in this second thread regarding the Seven Churches and the Seven Living Religions, so this is the Islamic Religion. The Angel has "the seal of the living God" and this is very important to the Muslims who consider "Muhammad to be the Seal of the Prophets", which is absolutely correct. He "sealed" the era of prophecy. This was in preparation for the Prophets Who come afterwards to "unseal" the Prophecy in the Dispensation of Fulfillment. To understand this one must understand The Most Clear Proof.

O HOUR of the Dawn! Ere the resplendent glory of the divine Luminary sheddeth its radiance from the Dayspring of this Gate, call thou to mind that the appointed Day of God will indeed be at hand in less than the twinkling of an eye. Thus hath the decree of God been issued in the Mother Book.

Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 68

Bible Verses

[1] And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Commentary

V.1 This is the Seventh and Final Seal, for the Third Angel thread/series of Seven Seals which began in Chapter Five. The Seventh Seal - the Seventh Angel is of course as always the Islamic Faith. Islam Revealer Muhammad, is known as the "Seal of The Prophets". A silence came for half an hour is not a literal specific time on a clock but a short time before the next Great Event happens in humanity's religious history, which is the time of the Return of Christ, and the beginning of the time of fulfillment.

For Islam, Muhammad being the last Seal - is the 'Seal of the Prophets'. This is central to the thought of many Muslims and He truly was: He was last in the Cycle of Prophecy.

[7] But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

V.7 Muhammad is the seventh Angel who is the last to sound and is the last to attest to His woes. (Rev 8:13) When He sounded the mystery of God was to be finished. In the days of Muhammad great deceit had developed. This is explained in chapter 11, by 'Abdu'l-Baha. In Muhammad's book The Koran, it is prophesied that Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophets, also that a return of one Christ-like would come. The completion of His sounding is that the fulfillment of this prophecy has happened: Yes, the "time of prophecy" about what was to come and what was to be expected by ALL the religions ended with the Seal of the Prophets - and thereafter the New Books would be for the 'Time of Fulfillment'. The Bab 'Christ-like' opened the new Cycle of Fulfillment.

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him and that He Who hath appeared is the Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Symbol, the Most Great Book for all peoples, and the Heaven of bounty for the whole world ... Through Him the Ocean of Knowledge hath surged amidst mankind and the river of Divine wisdom hath gushed out at the behest of God, the Lord of Days.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.47

This Day, however, is unique, and is to be distinguished from those that have preceded it. The designation "Seal of the Prophets" fully revealeth its high station. The Prophetic Cycle hath, verily, ended. The Eternal Truth is now come. He hath lifted up the Ensign of Power, and is now shedding upon the world the unclouded splendor of His Revelation.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.60

[15] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

V.15 The Seventh Angel in our Thread of Angels is of course always the Islamic Angel, and the last one to sound. The Seal of the Prophets and seal and end of Prophecy.

With the Next Woe, (The Bab), we will enter the Time of Fulfillment, the Great Day of The Lord, that which Jesus was directing us toward, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, the Day in which the Spiritual and Divine Kingdom shall be established.

It is of course the Kingdom of Christ, and the Kingdom of ALL the Manifestations, because They all are the one and same, in different raiment, the Manifestation of the One and Only God.

[15] And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

V.15 Another angel, being the religion of Zoroaster, appears to say that it is time to reap, that the harvest of the earth is ripe. This is known as the judgment day. Baha'u'llah tells the people of the world:

O YE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite.

Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words No. 63

These events may well be identified with Zoroaster because His Religion is identified with the religion of Persia which is modern day Islamic Shiite Iran, (and which retains many of the old Zoroastrian traditions and customs). So another nuclear sickle may be thrust in.

[19] And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

V.19 This could well be the Seventh Angel, the Islamic Angel doing the thrusting. It may well be that the first use of a nuclear weapon in nuclear WW3 will be by an Islamic country. If not, then this is the first time that John has not identified a seventh angel and all the seven angels in order. Which Islamic country might it be? There are possible candidates, but we can't know until it happens, although other verses - Rev. 18:21, and current events, indicate it may be Pakistan, there may be some unique association with Iran as discussed in the next verse. However future events may reveal meaning to the most significant/starting event of the "Last Great Battle" of Armageddon, this and the following verse appear to indicate that it is here we will see the explanation.

Anyway, so will begin the Day of Wrath of God, foretold for centuries and millennia, and feared for decades by those who have understood the nuclear threat.

The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 118

This is the Day that God hath ordained to be a blessing unto the righteous, a retribution for the wicked, a bounty for the faithful and a fury of His wrath for the faithless and the froward.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 103

Say: There is no place of refuge for you, no asylum to which ye can flee, no one to defend or to protect you in this Day from the fury of the wrath of God and from His vehement power, unless and until ye seek the shadow of His Revelation. This, indeed, is His Revelation which hath been manifested unto you in the person of this Youth. Glorified, then, be God for so effulgent, so precious, so wondrous a vision.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 257

[17] And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

V.17 The Seventh Angel, identified with the Islamic Religion, is the last in order and when He acts the Great Voice (identified with Baha'u'llah) says that "It is done". This may well be the precipitating event to the Great War that is to come. That is to say the Great Final Battle of Armageddon.

"Verse 17, the seventh angel poured out his influence upon the world. It is said that he poured it in the air, because the air fills every place, and the continuing verses mean the Great War that is to come. After the war everything will be at peace."

[18] 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.

V.18

"And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail," 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."

Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 60
regarding Rev 11:19

A great earthquake to come is told about in Isaiah 13:13; 24:20; 29:5; 38:7-8 This is a major upheaval, as it affects the whole world. Some see it as even the earth shifting on its axis.

ISAIAH 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
ISAIAH 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir
ISAIAH 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
ISAIAH 24:20 "The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard.
ISAIAH 29:5"Yea, it shall be at an instant, suddenly,"
ISAIAH 38:7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
ISAIAH 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

[19] 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.

V.19

"The city which was cut in three pieces means that the kingdom of Babylonia, which is under three kings, those of England, Persia and Turkey"

(Palestine was under English law at the time)...Babylon, a symbol of the great city, also was given the cup of wine of the fierceness of God's wrath. It is now in remembrance. The kingdom of Babylonia in Bible times was in the area of Iraq, Iran, Palestine and Turkey.

Shoghi Effendi in 'Citadel of Faith p.124-128' is warning America.

"The steady and alarming deterioration in the standard of morality as exemplified by the appalling increase of crime, by political corruption in ever widening and higher circles, by the loosening of the sacred ties of marriage, by the inordinate craving for pleasure and diversion, and by the marked progressive slackening of parental control, is no doubt the most arresting and distressing aspect of the decline that has set in...if not remedied, is bound to involve the American nation in a catastrophe of undreamed of dimensions."

It is an interesting note, in the various applications of the archetype, that "the great city divided into three parts" applies to New York City, in that it is spread over three islands, (Manhattan, Long, and Staten). This also has reference to the next verse.

[20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

V.20

"The island and the mountains of verse 20 mean people of influence, and also small kingdoms, which will be destroyed and annihilated at that time."

"The mountains have passed away, and the heavens have been folded together, and the whole earth is held within His grasp, could ye but understand it. Who is it that can protect you? None, by Him Who is the All-Merciful! None, except God, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Beneficent."

Baha'u'llah, XVIII Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

[21] 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 thereof was exceeding great.

V.21

"In verse 21, the 'great hail' means both bombs, shells, instruments of destruction and the calamities and hardships which will cause people to blaspheme."

warning America

"The steady and alarming deterioration in the standard of morality as exemplified by the appalling increase of crime, by political corruption in ever widening and higher circles, by the loosening of the sacred ties of marriage, by the inordinate craving for pleasure and diversion, and by the marked progressive slackening of parental control, is no doubt the most arresting and distressing aspect of the decline that has set in...if not remedied, is bound to involve the American nation in a catastrophe of undreamed of dimensions."

Shoghi Effendi 'Citadel of Faith p.124-128

Then the "Resurrection" appeared, the "Day of Judgment" became manifest, the "earth" heaved and shook, the "mountains" were leveled, the "seas" boiled, the "sun" was eclipsed, the "luminaries" were darkened, the "stars" scattered, the "signs" became known, the "bridge" expanded, the "conditions" were fulfilled, the "balance" was set up, the "fire" burned fiercely and the "paradise" became begemmed!

Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 396

"...and except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened".

Mat. 24:22

The sustaining grace is that 'Abdu'l-Baha assures us that, in spite of the trials and tribulations through which humanity must pass, this century of light will bring about the unity of mankind, and a glorious new day.

The spiritual brotherhood which is enkindled and established through the breaths of the Holy Spirit unites nations and removes the cause of warfare and strife. It transforms mankind into one great family and establishes the foundations of the oneness of humanity. It promulgates the spirit of international agreement and insures Universal Peace. Therefore we must investigate the foundation reality of this heavenly fraternity. We must forsake all imitations and promote the reality of the divine teachings. In accordance with these principles and actions and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, both material and spiritual happiness shall become realized. Until all nations and peoples become united by the bonds of the Holy Spirit in this real fraternity, until national and international prejudices are effaced in the reality of this spiritual brotherhood, true progress, prosperity and lasting happiness will not be attained by man. This is the century of new and universal nationhood. Sciences have advanced, industries have progressed, politics have been reformed, liberty has been proclaimed, justice is awakening. This is the century of motion, divine stimulus and accomplishment; the century of human solidarity and altruistic service; the century of Universal Peace and the reality of the divine kingdom.

Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 227

[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.

V.6 This is seventh and last Angel of the Sixth and Last Thread. The Seventh Angel is the Islamic Angel that has been showing the meaning of the last many verses, the explanation of which was started by the Sixth Angel, the Christian Angel, from a Christian perspective beginning in 21:9.

There is also an Islamic perspective on these same previous verses, and that perspective regarding the measurement of the walls (21:15-17) of New Jerusalem harks back to Rev. 11:1 and the Seventh Angel in Rev.11-15.

For an understanding of this one MUST understand The Most Clear Proof which is based on those verses.

Thus hath His bounty been sent down unto men, His testimony fulfilled, and His proof shone forth above the Horizon of mercy. Rich is the prize that shall be won by him who hath believed and exclaimed: "Lauded art Thou, O Beloved of all worlds! Magnified be Thy name, O Thou the Desire of every understanding heart!"

Baha'u'llah, XIV Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

[7] Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

V.7 The events of The Book of Revelation will happen suddenly and in a brief time. Greater changes have happened in the last century since the Bab than in all centuries before.

[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.

V.8 John was overwhelmed, and fell down before the angel to worship him, for showing him these warnings.

O kings of the earth! He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God's, the omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Worship none but God, and, with radiant hearts, lift up your faces unto your Lord, the Lord of all names. This is a Revelation to which whatever ye possess can never be compared, could ye but know it.

Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas: Verse 78