Chapter 5 Book of Revelation

Bible Verses

[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Commentary

V.1 As, from the previous chapter, the One Who sits upon the Throne is The Bab, and the Book, sealed with the Seven Seals, is the The Book of Revelation revealed by Jesus Christ. The Seven Seals (the meaning of the Seven World Religions) could not be opened until the 'time of fulfillment' when Christ returned in the station of The Bab.

The meaning of that which was 'written within' by Jesus Christ, and which you are reading now, could not be understood until opened through the power/Revelation of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, the Twin Manifestations to this Day and Age, The Bab being "The Forerunner", and Baha'u'llah, "The Promised One of All the Ages."

Say, God is my witness! The Promised One Himself hath come down from heaven, seated upon the crimson cloud with the hosts of revelation on His right, and the angels of inspiration on His left, and the Decree hath been fulfilled at the behest of God, the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 182

[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

The Books of ALL the SEVEN Religions (which is the reason for the Seven Seals) promised a return, but The Bab said that until Baha'u'llah, "The Promised One of All the Ages."came the nature of the 'Return' would stay sealed from our understanding.

It is noteworthy that dates for the Bab and Baha'u'llah were disclosed to Joseph Smith as you can read in the Afterword of this Chapter.

[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

V.3 The idea That no man was able to open the book. applies not only to The Book of Revelation, but other prophecies about the end times such as in:

Daniel 12
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

King James Bible

[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

V.4 Again we are told that the Seals of the Book, could not be understood at that time, but when the Return came, it was ready to be opened. That none could understand this book until then bothered John, and he wept because of it, but the New Revelation along with the way the world would change was simply beyond the comprehension of people at that time.

The Book of Revelation,the changes that would occur in techonology, the relationships among all the cultures of the world, were simply things that people throughout the Christian centuries were not able to understand, although many tried to explain its meanings.

[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Eventually it was of course Baha'u'llah that opened the Book with the Teachings for the New Age. This is particularly clarified in Revelation Chapter 10:1-6 where the Mighty Angel, Baha'u'llah opens the book and the Seven Thunders of all the religions in upon the earth and sea respond.This too, has interesting connection to Revelation 14:6.

Baha'u'llah the second of the Twin Manifestations was a 'Lion' from the tribe of Juda, with His ancestors being the root of David. Baha'u'llah was a Descendant of Abraham through both Katurah and Sarah. Jesse, Son of Sarah, was the Father of David and the Ancestor of Baha'u'llah.

"Regarding your question concerning the Jesse from whom Bahá'u'lláh is descended:
The Master says in 'Some Answered Questions' referring to Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10, that these verses apply 'Word for word to Bahá'u'lláh'. He then identifies this Jesse as the father of David in the following words:'...for Joseph was of the descendants of Jesse the father of David...', thus identifying the Jesse of Isaiah, with being the father of David. Bahá'u'lláh is thus the descendant of Jesse, the father of David.

From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 11, 1942, Lights of Guidance, p. 473

Thus it is that David and Baha'u'llah are from the same 'root' and that Baha'u'llah is therefore from the "root of David". Many prophecies of the Old Testament that didn't happen when Christ came have now been fulfilled. The loosing of the Seven Seals, mentioned in the Book of Revelation, is the fulfilling of the 'End Time' for the Seven Major Religions of the world.

"Regarding your question concerning the Jesse from whom Baha'u'llah is descended:
The Master says in 'Some Answered Questions' referring to Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10, that these verses apply 'Word for word to Baha'u'llah'. He then identifies this Jesse as the father of David in the following words: '...for Joseph was of the descendants of Jesse the father of David...', thus identifying the Jesse of Isaiah, chapter 11, with being the father of David. Baha'u'llah is thus the descendant of Jesse, the father of David.
"The Guardian hopes that this will clarify the matter for you. It is a tremendous and fascinating theme, Baha'u'llah's connection with the Faith of Judaism, and one which possesses great interest to Jew and Christian alike."

From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 11, 1942
1559.Lights of Guidance, p. 473

[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

V.6 The Lamb (representing both Jesus and the Bαb) appeared in the midst of the Throne. The life of Christ and the life of the Bαb are similar, both are considered Lambs, both were martyred, both sacrificed their lives for mankind. Both were Messengers from God.

The Bαb (with innate knowledge) sees everything of the past and of the future, as does Jesus, the Revealer of the Book of Revelation.

The majesty of His gait, the expression of overpowering confidence which sat upon His brow -- above all, the spirit of power which shone from His whole being, appeared to have for a moment crushed the soul out of the body of those whom He had greeted. A deep, a mysterious silence, suddenly fell upon them. Not one soul in that distinguished assembly dared breathe a single word. At last the stillness which brooded over them was broken by the Nizamu'l-'Ulama'. "Whom do you claim to be," he asked the Bαb, "and what is the message which you have brought?" "I am," thrice exclaimed the Bαb, "I am, I am, the promised One! I am the One whose name you have for a thousand years invoked, at whose mention you have risen, whose advent you have longed to witness, and the hour of whose Revelation you have prayed God to hasten. Verily I say, it is incumbent upon the peoples of both the East and the West to obey My word and to pledge allegiance to My person."

Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 315

The Seven Horns, Seven Eyes, Seven Spirits, refers to the Seven Revealers, the Seven Manifestations of the Seven Religions. The 'horns' tell that they are the leaders of their religious kingdoms. (The seven major religions of the world)

[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

V.7 This is symbolic of Jesus sitting upon The Throne, passing The Book unto His New Manifestation, The Bab, Who likewise passed the authority on to Baha'u'llah.

May 23,1844 marked the first day of the birth of this new Revelation when the first chapter of the Bab's book was written. Three months later a scroll written by the Bab was presented to Baha'u'llah, from which Baha'u'llah joined the Babi movement immediately. It is obvious that Baha'u'llah's mission was known in Heaven. At the beginning the Bab revealed that Baha'u'llah's Book was characterized as the "first, the greatest, the mightiest of all books", and so it is His Revelation that all of humanity, all of the Seven Religions in the past, and all of the prophets of the past awaited and looked forward to.

[The Bab]... had placed His writings and even His ring and pen-case in a specially prepared box, put the key of the box in an envelope, and sent it by means of Mulla Baqir, who was one of His first associates, to Mulla 'Abdu'l-Karim of Qazvin...(who) opened the lid of the box and said, "I am commanded to convey this trust to Baha'u'llah: more than this ask not of me, for I cannot tell you." Then Mulla 'Abdu'l-Karim conveyed the trust to its destination.

'Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 25

[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

V.8 This is a great event, as the books are to be opened. The odours of the vials represent more than prayers, like an invisible essence of spiritual atmosphere. The emphasis here is that every one of the followers had harps and golden vials which is symbolic that all the religions had spiritual truths.

'Awake, for, lo! the morning Light has broken. Arise, for His Cause is made manifest. The portal of His grace is open wide; enter therein, O peoples of the world! For He Who is your promised One is come!'

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 6

[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

V.9 They sang a new song. This is a new Revelation from God, one that has not been heard before. The Bab is worthy to take the Book and also (besides Baha'u'llah) opens the Seals. He too, was a descendant of Abraham. The Bab was to sacrifice His life to make way for Baha'u'llah: The 'Glory of God' for all peoples, all races and all nationalities. The historical similarity between the life of the Bab and that of Jesus is quite astounding. This Message, the New Song, is for all mankind.

The Reality of the divine Religions is one, because the Reality is one and cannot be two. All the prophets are united in their message, and unshaken. They are like the sun; in different seasons they ascend from different rising points on the horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet gave the glad tidings of the future, and every future has accepted the past.

'Abdu'l-Baha, 'Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 29

[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

V.10 The new revelation shall reign on the earth. Those who will accept this new Message and go out to teach, will be highly regarded by the Concourse on High with a rank similar to that of the kings and priests.

Arise thou to serve the Cause and say: I swear by the righteousness of God! Verily this is the Primal Point, (The Bab) arrayed in His new attire and manifested in His glorious Name. He at present beholdeth everything from this Horizon. Indeed He is supreme over all things. Amongst the Concourse on High He is known as the Most Great Announcement and in the Realms of Eternity as the Ancient Beauty, and before the Throne by this Name (The Most Great Name) which hath caused the footsteps of them that are endued with understanding to slip.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 181

[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

V.11 John heard the voice of many angels around the throne. The disciples and the Hosts on High are ever ready to assist those who are teaching. The people who will accept the New revelation are numberless, symbolized as ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, which is saying that for generations the earth will be guided by these Teachings

Say, O followers of the Son! (Jesus) Have ye shut out yourselves from Me by reason of My Name? Wherefore ponder ye not in your hearts? Day and night ye have been calling upon your Lord, the Omnipotent, but when He came from the heaven of eternity in His great glory, ye turned aside from Him and remained sunk in heedlessness... We, in truth, have opened unto you the gates of the Kingdom. Will ye bar the doors of your houses in My face? This indeed is naught but a grievous error. He, verily, hath again come down from heaven, even as He came down from it the first time. Beware lest ye dispute that which He proclaimeth, even as the people before you disputed His utterances. Thus instructeth you the True One, could ye but perceive it.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.9

[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

V.12 A loud voice proclaimed the Bab to be worthy to receive power, with eloquence, extraordinary wisdom, spiritual strength and above all, innate knowledge from God.

[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

V.13 All the creatures on the earth, under the earth, and all creatures in the sea, can feel this New Revelation and are blessed by it. The most spiritually blind eye should be able to recognize that a Power was released around 1844 that changed the world. Electricity, automobiles, airplanes, satellites, atomic energy, computers and thousands of other things have suddenly come into existence in the history of the world and mankind.

For the centuries between the time of Jesus and His giving of this prophecy - and its Fulfillment - the world remained pretty much the same with horse, foot and sail transportation - but then it all suddenly changed at the Divine Springtime and every creature on the earth, under the earth or in the sea were affected one way or the other by this historic Declaration.

Blessing and honour and glory, be upon him that 'sitteth on the throne' and unto the Lamb forever and ever. We are to be very humble and accept God's new Prophets for this new day and age because They alone have the guidance that we need for dealing with the Power that has been released in this New Day.

[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

V.14 The four beasts, meaning the whole of humanity, (the Four Types of Souls), said Amen, meaning 'so be it'. The 24 disciples fell down and worshipped Him with great devotion. Just as with Jesus, The Bab and Baha'u'llah will be known forever.

God testifieth to the unity of His Godhood and to the singleness of His own Being. On the throne of eternity, from the inaccessible heights of His station, His tongue proclaimeth that there is none other God but Him. He Himself, independently of all else, hath ever been a witness unto His own oneness, the revealer of His own nature, the glorifier of His own essence. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the Beauteous.

Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations p.86

From the seed of reality religion has grown into a tree which has put forth leaves and branches, blossoms and fruit. After a time this tree has fallen into a condition of decay. The leaves and blossoms have withered and perished; the tree has become stricken and fruitless. It is not reasonable that man should hold to the old tree, claiming that its life forces are undiminished, its fruit unequaled, its existence eternal. The seed of reality must be sown again in human hearts in order that a new tree may grow therefrom and new divine fruits refresh the world. By this means the nations and peoples now divergent in religion will be brought into unity, imitations will be forsaken, and a universal brotherhood in reality itself will be established. Warfare and strife will cease among mankind; all will be reconciled as servants of God. For all are sheltered beneath the tree of His providence and mercy.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.141