Chapter 12 Book of Revelation

Bible Verses

[1] And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

Commentary

V.1 The wonder in the spiritual heaven is the adorned bride of the Law of God as it descended unto Muhammad. The sun and moon symbols reflect the former religions of the area in which Islam was revealed. The Sun is related to the prior Parsee religion and the Moon, a symbol in most Muslim country flags, to the ancient religions of the Turks and others. The twelve stars are the Twelve Imams, who were the promoters of the Law of Muhammad and the educators of the people, shining like stars in the heaven of guidance.

[2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

V.2 As is now apparent to most everyone, Islam had very great difficulties and struggled to implement the spiritual law of Muhammad, the birth of which was not fulfilled until the coming of the Bab.

The child Who is referred to is the Bab, the Primal Point, Who was in truth born from the Law of Muhammad -- that is to say, the Holy Reality, Who is the child and outcome of the Law of God, His mother, and Who is promised by that religion, finds a reality in the kingdom of that Law; but because of the despotism of the dragon the child was carried up to God. After twelve hundred and sixty days the dragon was destroyed, and the child of the Law of God, the Promised One, became manifest.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p.69

[3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

V.3 This verse is the first verse in which the Red Dragon appears.

This is very descriptive, so that we know that we are talking about the same exact beast in each of the following chapters.

As always, there are multiple applications of the archetype. Here in this Islamic chapter Abdu'l-Baha applies the great red dragon to the Umayyads, who split Islam (as explained in the Chapter 11 Concept Box) and the seven heads and and seven crowns mean seven countries and dominions over which the Umayyads had power, which are named by Abdu'l-Baha who similarly names the wearers of the ten crowns.

This is where we first apply the archetype to both its traditional historical meaning as explained by Abdu'l-Baha AND later to a current "end times" interpretation.

[4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

V.4 The Islamic religion, which had become the Great Dragon, certainly drew in a third part of the stars of heaven; that is to say a third of the souls of the world. Almost as many souls became followers of Islam as there were Christians in the world.

The details of the historical conflict and battles between the Shiites and the Sunnis are often very confusing to people in Western cultures, but they are certainly aware of the great slaughters that have taken place.

There are great disputes between the present day Sunnis and Shiites, but most all sects of them are in total agreement about trying to destroy the Babi and Baha'i religions.

[5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

V.5 As emphasized in the previous chapter, mentioned here, and repeatedly in the subsequent chapters, the New Message, the New Teachings, the New Religion, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, is to be over all the nations of the earth.

The child being caught up to God and His throne have spiritual meanings that are far above the imaginings of literal minded individuals.

"And she brought forth a man child, Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron." This great son is the promised Manifestation Who was born of the Law of God and reared in the bosom of the divine teachings. The iron rod is a symbol of power and might -- it is not a sword -- and means that with divine power and might He will shepherd all the nations of the earth. This son is the Bab.

This is a prophecy of the Bab, Who ascended to the heavenly realm, to the Throne of God, and to the center of His Kingdom. Consider how all this corresponds to what happened.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p.70

[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

V.6

"Where she had a place prepared of God."

The Arabian Peninsula became the abode and dwelling place, and the center of the Law of God.

"That they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

In the terminology of the Holy Book these twelve hundred and sixty days mean the twelve hundred and sixty years that the Law of God was set up in the wilderness of Arabia, the great desert: from it the Promised One has come. After twelve hundred and sixty years that Law will have no more influence, for the fruit of that tree will have appeared, and the result will have been produced.

Consider how the prophecies correspond to one another. In the Apocalypse, the appearance of the Promised One is appointed after forty-two months, and Daniel expresses it as three times and a half, which is also forty-two months, which are twelve hundred and sixty days. In another passage of John's Revelation it is clearly spoken of as twelve hundred and sixty days, and in the Holy Book it is said that each day signifies one year. Nothing could be clearer than this agreement of the prophecies with one another.

Bab appeared in the year 1260 of the Hejira of Muhammad, which is the beginning of the universal era-reckoning of all Islam. There are no clearer proofs than this in the Holy Books for any Manifestation. For him who is just, the agreement of the times indicated by the tongues of the Great Ones is the most conclusive proof. There is no other possible explanation of these prophecies.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 71

The Islamic Faith was initially established in the wilderness of the Arabian desert. The verse itself is actually the "climatic"/"summation" verse in this series pointing out once again that it would take 1260 prophetic days, which is 1260 calendar years for the prophecy to be fulfilled. As always, to comprehend this one must understand the Most Clear Proof. The Most Clear Proof is based upon the Prophecy of Daniel, and as Jesus said:

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

V.7

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Daniel 12:10 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)

The fantasies that many people have in their minds, from artists who drew pictures in Medieval times, (when the books were still not open) trying to describe these scenes with angels fighting against a dragon (while true symbolism in archetype), are but imaginings in their minds.

The words of Daniel were closed and sealed up until the time of the end, but this is the time of the end, and they are now open to be understood, by anyone who is willing to understand the Most Clear Proof. As Daniel says, "the wise shall understand", and as Jesus said, "whoso readeth, let him understand", so any who wish to be faithful to the command of Jesus will make the effort to understand The Most Clear Proof.

[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

V.8 Each time a Manifestation comes from God with the New Law there are forces that arise against it. The requirements to protect the New Message are known in heaven, and circumstances are created so that the Manifestation with His angels protects His New Law. Michael (in the verse above), the Archangel of peace is a great unseen power that protects the Message. The dragon is a symbol of what becomes the worldly government/religious powers which the Archangel must battle.

There is a relationship between the REAL unseen heavenly world and this illusionary material world of which most people are not aware - and so it is that events in the world are reflections of spiritual realities.

[9] And the great dragon, was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

V.9 The Islamic leadership (the Great Dragon) that failed to follow the true teachings of Muhammad, and are called the followers of 'the Devil' and 'Satan', along with their followers deceived the whole world.

This is symbolic of the many deceits of Satan such as materialism, nationalism, racism, politicalism, immorality, and so forth that we see in the world, but the following is a description of one particular one that is central to much of the distress today. It is the conceit, that great deceit, that each religion is the only true religion.

Religionists have anathematized religionists, each considering the other as deprived of the mercy of God, abiding in gross darkness and the children of Satan. For example, the Christians and Muslims considered the Jews satanic and the enemies of God. Therefore, they cursed and persecuted them. Great numbers of Jews were killed, their houses burned and pillaged, their children carried into captivity. The Jews in turn regarded the Christians as infidels and the Muslims as enemies and destroyers of the law of Moses. Therefore, they call down vengeance upon them and curse them even to this day.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 266

[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

V.10 The Voice from Heaven is, for most of us, not an audible voice, but the Message is loud and clear. The New Manifestation and the New Teachings bring salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ in the New Manifestation and these will overcome the accuser (the power of deception) that rises up against Him.

Indeed the actions of man himself breed a profusion of satanic power. For were men to abide by and observe the divine teachings, every trace of evil would be banished from the face of the earth. However, the widespread differences that exist among mankind and the prevalence of sedition, contention, conflict and the like are the primary factors which provoke the appearance of the satanic spirit. Yet the Holy Spirit hath ever shunned such matters. A world in which naught can be perceived save strife, quarrels and corruption is bound to become the seat of the throne, the very metropolis, of Satan.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 176

We conclude Our argument with His words :-- exalted is He -- "And whoso shall withdraw from the remembrance of the Merciful, We will chain a Satan unto him, and he shall be his fast companion. " [Qur'an (Koran) 43:36.] "And whoso turneth away from My remembrance, truly his shall be a life of misery." [Qur'an (Koran) 20:124]

Muhammad, quoted by Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 256

[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

V.11 The blood of the Bab, the Lamb who was martyred in His seventh year of His Mission (paralleling in many ways the life of Jesus) created such a spirit in his followers that they spread His Teachings. Although the Islamic clergy thought His death would put an end to the Babi Faith, it only made it grow stronger. The clergy was frustrated, that their scheme did not work. The Faith has spread around the world with even greater rapidity than Christianity initially spread. The similarities between the Missions of The Bab and that of Christ are remarkable.

[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

V.12 Rejoice for the New Law has come, however, the 'devil with great wrath' is still with us for a short time. There is great danger. All should be able to see the rage that is going on in this day. At the same time we see new growth. People are looking for spiritual truths, justice and peace. The dragon represents worldly powers (religions, governments, corporations, financial institutions, legislatures, courts, media, entertainment, etc.) that are not following the Laws of God given to them in the Scriptures, especially that of loving one another and appreciating the teachings of other religions.

Each one of the divine religions considers itself as belonging to a goodly and blessed tree, the tree of the Merciful, and all other religious systems as belonging to a tree of evil, the tree of Satan. For this reason they heap execration and abuse upon each other.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 266

[13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

V.13 Islamic clergy wanted to keep the new religion of God from being known. They even wanted it eliminated. Many Baha'is have given up their lives through martyrdom in Iran and many, to this day, are kept in prison because they refuse to recant their faith.

[14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

V.14 God's Law was protected, the writings were unchanged. However, the world leaders made up laws of their own. God's prophecy of when His Laws would be manifest is told in this and the following verses which all work out to the same date.

"Scriptures" DAN 8:14 1844 C.E. (from a proof regarding Christ)
DAN 7:25 time, times, and div. of time
DAN 9:27 midst of week
DAN 12:7 time, times, & half
Luke 4:25 three years and six months
REV 11:2 42 months:
REV 11:3 1260 days
REV 11:9 3 1/2 days
REV 11:11 3 1/2 days
REV 12:6 1260 days
REV 12:14 time, times, & half
REV 13:5 42 months
Each of the expressions

time, times, & div. of time =3 1/2
time, times, and a half, =3 1/2
the midst of the week (one half of seven days)
all equal 3 and 1/2
The Law of God (the woman) was to be protected:
Time 1, and times 2, and 1/2 a time, totals to 3 1/2: changing to months (3.5 x 12) this works out to 42 months.

Ezekiel 4:6 says: " I have appointed each day as a year" (3 x 12 months = 36 years + 6 months (or half a year) = 42 months - now years

We use an average of 30 days in a month: (42 x 30 years = 1260) or 1260 years on the Islamic calendar, which is 1844 A D. on the Christian calendar. ( See verse 6)

The restored Law of God happened on May 23rd, 1844, when the Bab declared His Mission. The prophecies of the Qur'an and the Bible had been protected, and were manifested.

To thoroughly understand this, one needs to work through a study of The Most Clear Proof.

It is interesting that the Baha'i' Faith spread to America in 1892, and in two years four people became interested. By 1900 there were 700 members. Today there are millions around the world, and Baha'i's believe that in the future centuries there will be hundreds of millions and eventually billions, who will be guided by the same 'Light' of Christ, which is the same 'Light' of The Bab, and Baha'u'llah.

[15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

V.15 The Islamic hierarchy, jealously guarding its power with a flood of accusations and deceit, tried to wipe out the New Law of God. Both the Sunni and the Shiite sects persecuted the members of the Babi and the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah, because of his father's high level in government, was given some protection although He suffered greatly including being thrown into a dungeon with heavy chains around his neck, and then being banished from Persia (Iran) to Iraq and finally to 'Akka in Syria, (now Israel) to forced confinement in a fortress used by the Ottoman State for dangerous criminals with the expectation that He would not survive.

The headquarters for the Baha'i World Faith is now established on Mount Caramel in Haifa, Israel, adjacent to that prison in Acca.

[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

V.16 Although the flood of accusations against the Bab and Baha'u'llah caused hardship and lamentation, it did not stop the growth of the Faith.

Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction.

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 14

[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

V.17 The Islamic clergy is angry with the Babi Faith and wants to make war with the remnant of her seed, The Bab, a descendant of Muhammad, who fulfilled the prophecy of Muhammad. He and Christ had very similar lives, and both gave the same testimony.

In His day Christ was called Satan, Beelzebub, but hear the bells now ringing for Him! He was the Word of God and not Satan. They mocked Him, led Him through the city upon a donkey, crowned Him with thorns, spat upon His blessed face and crucified Him, but He is now with God and in God because He was the Word and not Satan. Fifty years ago no one would touch the Christian Bible in Persia. Baha'u'llah came and asked, "Why?" They said, "It is not the Word of God." He said, "You must read it with understanding of its meanings, not as those who merely recite its words." Now Baha'is all over the East read the Bible and understand its spiritual teaching. Baha'u'llah spread the Cause of Christ and opened the book of the Christians and Jews. He removed the barriers of names. He proved that all the divine Prophets taught the same reality and that to deny One is to deny the Others, for all are in perfect oneness with God.

Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 212