Appendix to the Book of Revelation Chapter Fourteen Babylon

Bible Verses

[8] And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Commentary

V.8 Another angel, being the second and therefore identified here with the Jewish religion, comes to tell us that Babylon, the greatest city of the world in its time (which many see as a symbol or archetype of New York, the greatest city of our time), has fallen. It is a system that is corrupt because of materialism, and the people are drawn into it. A city that symbolizes the center of greed, materialism, and immorality in the world. It has been the center of great Jewish contolled financial institutions. So much so that it has been called "Jew Town" and reportedly has more of a Jewish population than any city in Israel.

Both here and in (Rev.18:2) the fall of Babylon is announced by the Angel that we identify with the Jewish Religion. One can never know such meanings until after they have occurred. In any case it is not the events of the physical world that are the most significant but rather those of the spiritual.

Busy not thyself with this world, for We test the gold with fire, and with gold We test Our servants.

Baha'u'llah, Arabic Hidden Words No.55

[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

V.9 The third angel is identified with the Hindu religion. The prophecies and descriptions about each of the religions is so amazing when one reads about each of them in order. Without this key to understanding the scriptures there have been all sorts of strange speculations about the nature of the "mark of the beast".

If you look about all the religions with an open eye you will see that there is only one, and it is this one in the order of the religions, that predominately places a mark on its forehead, and while the mark itself is not the "mark of the beast", but rather a symbol of "the inner eye" actually located above the pineal gland, we can see here, and in all the religions of the world, that conformance to worldly systems often becomes predominant, and that is the mark of the beast.

In these days the people have debarred themselves from the effusions of divine grace by following in the footsteps of every ignorant one that hath gone astray. They have cast the Ocean of divine knowledge behind their backs and fixed their eyes upon such foolish men as claim to be well versed in learning without being supported by any evidence from God, the Lord of mankind.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah p. 252

Many people misunderstand about "the mark".

Just as people misunderstand they say that "money is the root of all evil", because of the verse -

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It is NOT money that is the root of all evil. It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. In reading the verse they somehow miss the word "love". One needs to use money to live, but they should not "love" money.

In reading this verse in the Book of Revelation, some people also miss it, but the operative word here is "AND". In a modern society one has to use money to live. But if instead of just using money for its proper purpose they use money AND worship (love) money, the Beast, material things, and they focus on that so that it consumes their mind and activity - that it becomes the purpose of their life, rather than God, well then, as in the next verse -

[10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

V.10 The third angel states that fire and brimstone will be rained upon these who have turned from God and one might observe that much/most of humanity may be deserving of fire and brimstone. Then one might wonder why this people have been singled out for mention in regards to that threat.

As with all prophecy, one cannot know its meaning, other than in general terms, until after it occurs, however, one might make the following.

The destiny of the Hindus and the Muslims seem to be intertwined in this case, as were (what has now become) the separate countries of Pakistan and India. Together they were not able to find unity, nor apart have they been able to find amity and security.

The external result between them, as indicated in this and other passages, may be fire and brimstone, however, all the verses also have interior spiritual meanings as indicated in the quoted below.

By the righteousness of Him Who is the Absolute Truth, were the veil to be lifted, thou wouldst witness on this earthly plane all men sorely afflicted with the fire of the wrath of God, a fire fiercer and greater than the fire of hell, with the exception of those who have sought shelter beneath the shade of the tree of My love. For they in very truth are the blissful...

The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 12

[11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

V.11 This is what scares people, and well it should. They just don't understand what it means. Do note the problem is worshipping the Beast. The operative word there is again "AND". Someone just properly using money, which is the mark of the Beast's name, need not fear - if they do not worship the Beast, that is to say place their love in money / the Beast rather than loving and worshipping God.

Once again, as stated in the long quote (second below) this applies to "all the peoples of the world" who have turned away from spirituality to materiality and "recognized standards" of decency, which is a meaning of taking the mark in their hand.

Still, there may be specifics for this particular people, the two factions of which have both developed nuclear weapons, "the smoke of their torment ascending up" being a very visual description of a nuclear mushroom cloud and "the torment lasting for ever and ever" an apt one about the long term effects of radiation.

"On the day when the heaven shall give out a palpable smoke, which shall enshroud mankind: this will be an afflictive torment."

1 Qur'an (Koran) 44:10.

The symbolic term "smoke" denotes grave dissensions, the abrogation and demolition of recognized standards, and the utter destruction of their narrow-minded exponents. What smoke more dense and overpowering than the one which hath now enshrouded all the peoples of the world, which hath become a torment unto them, and from which they hopelessly fail to deliver themselves, however much they strive? So fierce is this fire of self burning within them, that at every moment they seem to be afflicted with fresh torments...
Ere long, thine eyes will behold the standards of divine power unfurled throughout all regions, and the signs of His triumphant might and sovereignty manifest in every land. As most of the divines have failed to apprehend the meaning of these verses, and have not grasped the significance of the Day of Resurrection, they therefore have foolishly interpreted these verses according to their idle and faulty conception.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 76

Bible Verses

[16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Commentary

V.16

"In the 16th verse, Armageddon signifies Roumelia and Macedonia, for often the kings have gathered together on subjects concerning these places."

Both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha foretold of a period of great social upheaval, conflict and calamity, as a result of the irreligion and prejudices, the ignorance and superstition, prevalent throughout the world. In an address in California in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha gave a warning; that Armageddon began with the first World war in 1914.

"We are on the eve of the Battle of Armageddon referred to in the 16th Chapter of Revelation. The time is two years hence, when only a spark will set aflame the whole of Europe. The world is at the threshold of a most tragic struggle. The slightest friction will bring them into a terrific crash, and there will be a conflagration, the like of which is not recorded in the past history of mankind."

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p.2

Wars and rumors of wars have gone on ever since.
See:

Jer.4: 22,27,29
Matt 24: 7,8,21,22
Luke 21: 19,20,25,28
Matt.13: 49,50

[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

Bible Verses

[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 shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Commentary

V.1 This is the start of the sixth and last thread regarding the seven Angels, and the first angel is therefore again identified with the Sabean religion.

The major concept in this chapter is that the 'great whore' Babylon the Great, the United States sitteth upon many waters, extending her power over many lands and seas, and yes, coincidently affecting the lives of many native peoples throughout the world.

[2] 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.

V.2 The world power, the Great Whore of Babylon, the United States, greatly affected many of the nations of the earth - making their rulers materially rich and their inhabitants spiritually poor as they became enchanted with her material wealth and immoral lifestyle.

Religion has been used by leaders of 'all inhabitants of the earth' to arouse the hysterical emotions of their people. In every country class divisions appear, and cliques are formed, especially by kings and leaders, to maintain their own superiority. This especially relates to the aboriginal people of the world, who were subject to unjust laws and lack of respect by Christians and government leaders. Certain Islamic sects of the African natives also have shown changed 'Laws of God' in their belief that they are superior to the other tribes in Africa. We see thousands of people suffering extreme poverty, now living in camps waiting for relief to come.

Therefore we learn that allegiance to the essential foundation of the divine religions is ever the cause of development and progress, whereas the abandonment and beclouding of that essential reality through blind imitations and adherence to dogmatic beliefs is the cause of a nation's debasement and degradation.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 273

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

V.3 This beast with the seven heads (the Seven Sisters Oil Companies) and the ten horns (the Ten country Sunni Coalition Rev.13:1) did carry the woman (the Great Whore, Babylon the Great, the United States) into the wilderness and anarchy of the Middle East by providing the oil and energy, and selling it exclusively for American dollars, that permitted The Great Whore to extend her Financial/Military Empire to most of the world.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

V.4 The world stood in astonishment at the wealth of the woman. Multi-millions everywhere wished to have to opportunity to move to her shores, and in their own countries they imitated the corruption of her government and the immorality of her lifestyle.

With the power of wealth, prestige, honor and luxury, her rulers have persuaded the governments of the world to act on her behalf.

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

V.5 The name on her forehead (i.e. being central to her thought and being) was that she was a Mystery and described as an archetype to Babylon The Great. Babylon, which was the capital of the ancient Babylonian Empire and was noted for its wealth, that is for its material wealth, and noted as the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.

The following quote tells about what was considered to be the greatest tragedy to ever befall Israel, even greater than the holocaust that occurred in Germany in WW2. This was written before the restoration of modern Israel.

After the Israelites had advanced along every level of civilization, and had achieved success in the highest possible degree, they began little by little to forget the root-principles of the Mosaic Law and Faith, to busy themselves with rites and ceremonials and to show forth unbecoming conduct... In brief, it was because they forgot the meaning of the Law of God that they became involved in ignorant fanaticism and blameworthy practices such as insurgence and sedition. Their divines, having concluded that all those essential qualifications of humankind set forth in the Holy Book were by then a dead letter, began to think only of furthering their own selfish interests, and afflicted the people by allowing them to sink into the lowest depths of heedlessness and ignorance. And the fruit of their wrong doing was this, that the old-time glory which had endured so long now changed to degradation...The banners of their sovereignty were reversed; the ignorance, foolishness, abasement and self-love of their religious leaders and their scholars were brought to light in the coming of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who destroyed them. After a general massacre, and the sacking and razing of their houses and even the uprooting of their trees, he took captive whatever remnants his sword had spared and carried them off to Babylon. Seventy years later the descendants of these captives were released and went back to Jerusalem... reestablished in their midst the fundamental principles of the Holy Book, and day by day the Israelites advanced, and the morning-brightness of their earlier ages dawned again. In a short time, however, great dissensions as to belief and conduct broke out anew, and again the one concern of the Jewish doctors became the promotion of their own selfish purposes, and the reforms that had obtained in Ezra's time were changed to perversity and corruption... Finally the warlike Titus, commander of the Roman forces, trampled the Jewish homeland into dust, putting every man to the sword, taking the women and children captive, flattening their houses, tearing out their trees, burning their books, looting their treasures, and reducing Jerusalem and the Temple to an ash heap. After this supreme calamity, the star of Israel's dominion sank away to nothing, and to this day, the remnant of that vanished nation has been scattered to the four winds. "Humiliation and misery were stamped upon them." Our purpose is to show how true religion promotes the civilization and honor, the prosperity and prestige, the learning and advancement of a people once abject, enslaved and ignorant, and how, when it falls into the hands of religious leaders who are foolish and fanatical, it is diverted to the wrong ends, until this greatest of splendors turns into blackest night.

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 79

The point of all this is how the present parallels the past and the applicability to the past and present of a single archetype.

'O thou Tyre! O thou Babylon! Boast ye not! The day will come when ye shall find yourselves abased, destroyed, and scattered.' His Holiness, Isaiah, prophesied this.

Misc Baha'i, The Diary of Juliet Thompson

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

V.6 New religions are often rejected by the established religions, which results in martyrdom of the new believers. The Jews rejected Christ, as they didn't want their religious system changed. The early Christians were treated with disdain, being thrown to the lions, by the Romans, as sport. In the same way, persecution happened to the early believers of the Babi Faith and later to the Baha'is.

Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

King James Bible

Among the Popes there are also some blessed souls who followed in the footsteps of Christ, particularly in the first centuries of the Christian era when temporal things were lacking and the tests of God were severe. But when they came into possession of governmental power, and worldly honor and prosperity were gained, the Papal government entirely forgot Christ and was occupied with temporal power, grandeur, comfort and luxuries. It killed people, opposed the diffusion of learning, tormented the men of science, obstructed the light of knowledge, and gave the order to slay and to pillage. Thousands of souls, men of science and learning, and sinless ones, perished in the prisons of Rome. With all these proceedings and actions, how can the Vicarship of Christ be believed in?

Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 136

Killing seems to be easy for followers of many religions as they believe that they will have a place in Heaven, if they follow the directives of the Mullahs, or priests. John wondered about this with admiration, which is not to say that he liked it, but rather that he was astounded by it.

John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

King James Bible

Quote from one of the letters written by Baha'u'llah to the leaders of the world while in exile. (Akka 1868):

We behold it [the world], in this day, at the mercy of rulers so drunk with pride that they cannot discern clearly their own best advantage, much less recognize a Revelation so bewildering and challenging as this. And whenever any one of them hath striven to improve its condition, his motive hath been his own gain, whether confessedly so or not; and the unworthiness of this motive hath limited his power to heal or to cure.

Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 91

[7] 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 ten horns.

V.7 The archetype can be viewed in many ways. First there is its relationship to the historical period of the Umayyad/Abbasid dynasty that came to control most of Islam and which confronted the Bab.

Secondly there is the 'end of days' application mentioned in V.3.

Thirdly, there are the seven world cultures/religions upon which sits the Whore of Babylon, the profaned world culture and world religion.

It is the power of revelation and the archetypes that all these meanings can coexist simultaneously.

[8] 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.

V.8 There are many archetypes involved in this verse and it is completely meaningless/confusing to those whose names are "not written in the book of life". The Book of Life is the guidance of the Holy Spirit given by each of the Manifestations of God, "from the foundation of the world." Those who recognize God and worship Him, their names are written in The Book of Life.

The beginnings of all great religions were pure; but priests, taking possession of the minds of the people, filled them with dogmas and superstitions, so that religion became gradually corrupt.

'Abdu'l-Baha, 'Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 125

Those who do not recognize and listen to the Holy Spirit stand in wonder and confusion at the illusion of this world that seems real "and is not".

This "beast" that was, and is not, and yet is. is really the False Prophet, Science without Religion, that has brought forth from the "bottomless pit" nuclear science and weapons, the Abomination of Desolation that destroyeth the world. The reference to the 'beast that was, and is not, and yet is', parallels the 'abomination of desolation' that shall have its effect in Last Great Battle of Armageddon (was Rev.9:2,18:10-19), but shall be chained for a thousand years (is not Rev.20:22), to be released briefly at the end of the thousand years (and yet is Rev.20:23).

[9] And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

V.9 In one view of the archetype the seven heads are the seven world religions. The 'seven mountains' are a symbol of each man made degenerated institution of each of these seven religions.

[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.

V.10 The timing of these kings is from the perspective of John who recorded the Book of Revelation. At his time, the five religions whose clear and correct spiritual influence had passed were those of Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster and Buddha. The one that was current was Christianity, and one that was to come and continue for a short space - Islam.

[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

V.11 The seven kings are the Revealers of the pure religions, Whose religions have now been perverted into the seven heads or the seven mountains (in verse 9 above). An eighth is added to this. This eighth is one of the seven, but split in two, to make the eighth, called the beast. The split which is referred to is the Shia / Sunni split which grew out of Islam.

While other religions have also had their splits, (and some may see it as an archetype for the split in another religion) it is this split after the "Seal of the Prophets", that in the latter days plays a predominant role as the Beast in the Days of Armageddon.

[12] 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.

V.12 The ten horns are ten Islamic kingdoms which did not exist at the time when John was writing, but briefly received power 'in the last hour (not a literal hour) of the end of days' as explained fully in Rev.13:1)

[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

V.13 The intent of the ten Islamic Powers (ten horn/kings) is to strengthen perverted Islam, and while there are many divisions between them, they are of one mind about regarding The Bab and Baha'u'llah, and also in Israel.

[14] 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.

V.14 While the power of the Beast may seem very great today, the destiny of what will happen is the Message of the Book of Revelation, and those who work to spread the Message and implement God's Plan are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The Bab is called the Lamb, because He, like Jesus knew His life would be sacrificed. He thus fulfilled His purpose. He truly can be called Lord of lords, and King of kings.

[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

V.15 Who today cannot see that the whore, Babylon the Great, the U.S., sitteth upon great numbers of waters, peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

[16] 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.

V.16 Is it not apparent to all that the ten horns, the ten oil kingdoms, hate the whore. Most of those who attacked her central towers and fortress at 9/11 came from Saudi Arabia, supposedly her foremost supporter in the Petro Dollar, and when they take that away it shall indeed eat her flesh and she shall burn with fire.

The ten horns are symbolic of the powers in the Islamic countries who actually preach hate and war (which they call jihad) against the wrong doing of religion and politics ("the whore") of other countries, the leaders of which they identify one as "The Great Satan", and another as "The Little Satan".

Both sides give lip service to Love and Peace, saying "peace, peace, peace", but put all their energies into war rather than raising the spiritual, moral and social standards of themselves and those that they oppose. This great spiritual battle, central to Armageddon, is the identifying activity of "the last days".

"The Pen of the Divine Expounder exhorteth, at this moment, the manifestations of authority and the sources of power, namely the kings and rulers of the earth -- may God assist them -- and enjoineth them to uphold the cause of religion, and to cleave unto it. Religion is, verily, the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world, and of tranquillity amongst its peoples. The weakening of the pillars of religion hath strengthened the foolish, and emboldened them, and made them more arrogant. Verily I say: The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion. Hear Me, O men of insight, and be warned, ye who are endued with discernment!"

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 28

[17] 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.

V.17 All the enemies of the True Faith, think themselves to be the chosen of God. Their peoples think that they go upon holy war (Jihad) for the benefit of God. No matter what evil motivates the rulers of world, in the end their actions will result in the fulfillment of God's Plan.

God permitted the world to go forward in its folly, without chastisement, until the Faith of Baha'u'llah had been proclaimed, and established, and all will eventually be seen to have worked towards the fulfillment of God's will.

"The Pen of the Divine Expounder exhorteth, at this moment, the manifestations of authority and the sources of power, namely the kings and rulers of the earth -- may God assist them -- and enjoineth them to uphold the cause of religion, and to cleave unto it. Religion is, verily, the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world, and of tranquillity amongst its peoples. The weakening of the pillars of religion hath strengthened the foolish, and emboldened them, and made them more arrogant. Verily I say: The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion. Hear Me, O men of insight, and be warned, ye who are endued with discernment!"

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 27

[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

V.18 Although the woman, the whore, Babylon the Great, the U.S.; of which NYC is the epitome, sits upon the beast, the beast shall eventually devour her.

O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh the pre-eminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have, on the one hand, blotted out from the pages of God's holy Book whatsoever hath been the cause of strife, of malice and mischief amongst the children of men, and have, on the other, laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes.

Time and again have We admonished Our beloved ones to avoid, nay to flee from, anything whatsoever from which the odour of mischief can be detected. The world is in great turmoil, and the minds of its people are in a state of utter confusion. We entreat the Almighty that He may graciously illuminate them with the glory of His Justice, and enable them to discover that which will be profitable unto them at all times and under all conditions. He, verily is the All-Possessing, the Most High.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 93

...crass materialism, ... lays excessive and ever-increasing emphasis on material well-being, forgetful of those things of the spirit on which alone a sure and stable foundation can be laid for human society. It is this same cancerous materialism, born originally in Europe, carried to excess in the North American continent, contaminating the Asiatic peoples and nations, spreading its ominous tentacles to the borders of Africa, and now invading its very heart, which Bahá'u'lláh in unequivocal and emphatic language denounced in His Writings, comparing it to a devouring flame and regarding it as the chief factor in precipitating the dire ordeals and world-shaking crises that must necessarily involve the burning of cities and the spread of terror and consternation in the hearts of men.

Indeed a foretaste of the devastation which this consuming fire will wreak upon the world, and with which it will lay waste the cities of the nations participating in this tragic world-engulfing contest, has been afforded by the last World War, marking the second stage in the global havoc which humanity, forgetful of its God and heedless of the clear warnings uttered by His appointed Messenger for this day, must, alas, inevitably experience.

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 124

Bible Verses

[1] And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Commentary

V.1 In the continuation of this sixth and final vertical/thread about the Seven Angels, which started in 17:1 with the first angel of the series, this is the Second Angel, which is of course the Jewish Angel.

As with all the religions they expect the coming of their Lord, the Messiah, but they just did not recognize Him in Jesus, or in Muhammad (as neither did the Christians) nor so far in the Bab and Baha'u'llah (as have neither so far the Christians or the Muslims.) However, these Days are just beginning and that is what these events are all about.

O Jews! If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest unto you. Deal with Me as ye wish, for I have vowed to lay down My life in the path of God. I will fear no one, though the powers of earth and heaven be leagued against Me. Followers of the Gospel! If ye cherish the desire to slay Muhammad, the Apostle of God, seize Me and put an end to My life, for I am He, and My Self is His Self. Do unto Me as ye like, for the deepest longing of Mine heart is to attain the presence of My Best-Beloved in His Kingdom of Glory. Such is the Divine decree, if ye know it. Followers of Muhammad! If it be your wish to riddle with your shafts the breast of Him Who hath caused His Book the Bayan to be sent down unto you, lay hands on Me and persecute Me, for I am His Well-Beloved, the revelation of His own Self, though My name be not His name. I have come in the shadows of the clouds of glory, and am invested by God with invincible sovereignty. He, verily, is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. I, verily, anticipate from you the treatment ye have accorded unto Him that came before Me. To this all things, verily, witness, if ye be of those who hearken. O people of the Bayan! If ye have resolved to shed the blood of Him Whose coming the Bab hath proclaimed, Whose advent Muhammad hath prophesied, and Whose Revelation Jesus Christ Himself hath announced, behold Me standing, ready and defenseless, before you. Deal with Me after your own desires.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.101

[2] 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.

V.2 Babylon can represent any one of many cities and indeed the term can be seen to represent the whole of present day immoral materialistic society. However, the archtype is New York City and, as has been explained elsewhere, it has become strongly identified with the Jews, so that it is fitting that these verses should be associated with the Second Angel.

The imagery of the fall of Babylon, the city of the Jews, associated with the Second Angel, is strongly shown in the verses that follow in the Book of Revelation

(See Rev 14:8; Rev 18:8-24)

The country is the world of the soul, the city is the world of bodies.

Baha'u'llah as quoted by Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 3, p. 416

Wherefore, O My servants, defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge.

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

[3] 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.

V.3 The city epitomized, in many people's minds, as Babylon the Great has been a center; perhaps one could say The Center of world commerce. The world markets seem to radiate from it and all others seem to be satellites to it. Certainly, immense wealth has been accumulated by the merchants of the earth who are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

The flames of hell have been made to blaze, and heaven hath been brought nigh; the celestial gardens are in flower, and fresh pools are brimming over, and paradise gleameth in beauty -- but the unaware are still mired down in their empty dreams.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 14

Suffer not the hem of My sacred vesture to be smirched and mired with the things of this world, and follow not the promptings of your evil and corrupt desires.

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

[4] 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.

V.4 John heard another Voice from Heaven. This Voice, like the Voices in verses 1 and 7 of chapter 16 is not to be identified as one of Seven Angels (the next angel, the Hindu Angel, appears in verse 21), but rather as before, is related to the eighth and nineth Angels of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths.

The warning in this verse was reiterated by the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith that for two cities there were

"... a bare fifteen adult Baha'is to be left in each of these cities, over which unsuspected dangers are hanging ...",

Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Citadel of Faith, p. 128

the two cities being Chicago and New York, the pre-eminent historical cities of the Baha'i Faith in North America.

New York is often singled out as the premier city in the world that seems to symbolize these sins and to be a hold, a central place of store of them. While a great many cities in the world equally contain the elements of the world's corruption - and may equally well suffer its fate - still New York stands in many people's eyes as the epitome of Babylon the Great. It has been so targeted, not only in the minds of its enemies, but in the actuality of their actions

If ye pay no heed unto the counsels which, in peerless and unequivocal language, We have revealed in this Tablet, Divine chastisement shall assail you from every direction, and the sentence of His justice shall be pronounced against you. On that day ye shall have no power to resist Him, and shall recognize your own impotence.

Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 9

[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

V.5

O OPPRESSORS ON EARTH! Withdraw your hands from tyranny, for I have pledged Myself not to forgive any man's injustice. This is My covenant which I have irrevocably decreed in the preserved tablet and sealed it with My seal of glory.

Baha'u'llah, Persian Hidden Word no.64

[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.

V.6 This city is to be rewarded double in chastisement, as it has filled the cup with iniquities.

Collateral with this ominous laxity in morals, and this progressive stress laid on man's material pursuits and well-being, is the darkening of the political horizon, as witnessed by the widening of the gulf separating the protagonists of two antagonistic schools of thought which, however divergent in their ideologies, are to be commonly condemned by the upholders of the standard of the Faith of Baha'u'llah for their materialistic philosophies and their neglect of those spiritual values and eternal verities on which alone a stable and flourishing civilization can be ultimately established.

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 125

[7] 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.

V.7 This city glorifies herself, as it is rich in living a delicious material life, and brags that it is the queen of cities, and will see no sorrow.

For a long time the religious world had been weakened and materialism had advanced; the spiritual forces of life were waning, moralities were becoming degraded, composure and peace had vanished from souls and satanic qualities were dominating hearts; strife and hatred overshadowed humanity, bloodshed and violence prevailed. God was neglected; the Sun of Reality seemed to have gone completely; deprivation of the bounties of heaven was a fact; and so the season of winter fell upon mankind.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 256

[8] 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.

V.8 Suddenly this city 'Babylon' will utterly be destroyed with fire. There will be death, mourning, and famine as God judges this city (and others like it). But, these verses also have spiritual significance and lack of spiritually is shown in the seven plagues that have taken over Babylon, described in chapter 16.

[9] 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,

V.9

It is ... cancerous materialism, ...which Baha'u'llah in unequivocal and emphatic language denounced in His Writings, comparing it to a devouring flame and regarding it as the chief factor in precipitating the dire ordeals and world-shaking crises that must necessarily involve the burning of cities and the spread of terror and consternation in the hearts of men. Indeed a foretaste of the devastation which this consuming fire will wreak upon the world, and with which it will lay waste the cities of the nations participating in this tragic world-engulfing contest, has been afforded by the last World War... in the global havoc which humanity, forgetful of its God and heedless of the clear warnings uttered by His appointed Messenger for this day, must, alas, inevitably experience.

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 125

[10] 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.

V.10 At the time that John recorded these words it would have been impossible to imagine how such a giant city might have been destroyed in a hour in the manner described. Today it takes little imagination to think of people standing at a distance and viewing what has occurred.

This, indeed, is a chastisement which ye, of your own will, have inflicted upon yourselves, could ye but perceive it. Are ye rejoicing in the things which, according to the estimate of God, are contemptible and worthless, things wherewith He proveth the hearts of the doubtful?

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 208

We have a fixed time for you, O peoples. If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction. How severe, indeed, is the chastisement with which your Lord will then chastise you!

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.214

[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

V.11

The winds of despair are, alas, blowing from every direction, and the strife that divideth and afflicteth the human race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appeareth to be lamentably defective. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He may graciously awaken the peoples of the earth, may grant that the end of their conduct may be profitable unto them, and aid them to accomplish that which beseemeth their station.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 171

The disastrous failure of both the Disarmament and Economic Conferences; the obstacles confronting the negotiations for the limitation of Naval armaments; the withdrawal of two of the most powerful and heavily armed nations of the world from the activities and membership of the League of Nations; the ineptitude of the parliamentary system of government as witnessed by recent developments in Europe and America; the inability of the leaders and exponents of the Communist movement to vindicate the much-vaunted principle of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat; the perils and privations to which the rulers of the Totalitarian states have, in recent years, exposed their subjects -- all these demonstrate, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the impotence of present-day institutions to avert the calamities with which human society is being increasingly threatened. What else remains, a bewildered generation may well ask, that can repair the cleavage that is constantly widening, and which may, at any time, engulf it?

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 189

[12] 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,

V.12 The next three verses present a list of material things but the whole of the world, creation, and the Book of Revelation is filled with inner significances. Every color, sound, odor, texture as represented in physical objects has spiritual significance.

Beware lest ye scatter the pearls of inner significance before every barren, dumb one. Verily, the blind are deprived of witnessing the lights and are unable to distinguish between the stone and the holy, precious pearl.

Baha'u'llah, The Tablet of the Branch, in Baha'i World Faith, p. 207

[13] And cinnamon, and odours, 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.

V.13

Thus have We delivered unto thee some of the jewels of wisdom and utterance, in order that thou mayest gaze unto the direction of thy Lord and be severed from all the creatures. May the spirit and glory rest upon thee, and upon those who dwell upon the plain of holiness and who remain in the Cause of their Lord in manifest steadfastness!

Baha'u'llah, The Tablet of the Branch, in Baha'i World Faith, p. 207

[14] And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

V.14 As pointed out in the verses above the true goods of this world are actually fruits of the soul. The external objects are all that are recognized by those with materialistic minds.

That the forces of a world catastrophe can alone precipitate such a new phase of human thought is, alas, becoming increasingly apparent. That nothing short of the fire of a severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, can fuse and weld the discordant entities that constitute the elements of present-day civilization, into the integral components of the world commonwealth of the future, is a truth which future events will increasingly demonstrate.

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 46

[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

V.15

Divine chastisement shall assail you from every direction, and the sentence of His justice shall be pronounced against you. On that day ye shall have no power to resist Him, and shall recognize your own impotence. Have mercy on yourselves and on those beneath you, and judge ye between them according to the precepts prescribed by God in His most holy and exalted Tablet, a Tablet wherein He hath assigned to each and every thing its settled measure, in which He hath given, with distinctness, an explanation of all things, and which is in itself a monition unto them that believe in Him.

Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 190

The merchants of all the finery, which have made both them and the city rich, stand far away in fear of this torment There is great weeping and wailing because of their loss. The chastisement is very great.

[16] 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!

V.16

Erelong will the breaths of chastisement seize thee, as they seized others before thee. Wait, O thou who hast joined partners with God, the Lord of the visible and the invisible. This is the day which God hath announced through the tongue of His Apostle. Reflect, that thou mayest apprehend what the All-Merciful hath sent down in the Qur'an and in this inscribed Tablet. This is the day whereon He Who is the Dayspring of Revelation hath come with clear tokens which none can number.

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 100

[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

V.17 Today we can well envision the ships standing afar off and viewing the scene.

The Plain is disclosed, and mankind is sore vexed and fearful. Earthquakes have broken loose, and the tribes have lamented, for fear of God, the Lord of Strength, the All-Compelling.' Say: 'The stunning trumpet blast hath been loudly raised, and the Day is God's, the One, the Unconstrained.' 'Hath the Catastrophe come to pass?' Say: 'Yea, by the Lord of Lords!'

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 131

In the Baha'i Scriptures the inevitable is often spoken of as having already occurred.

[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

V.18 They knew that there was no city like it. The greatest city of the world for trading is destroyed. An unimaginable loss. Especially when we try to imagine it extended worldwide.

No less serious is the stress and strain imposed on the fabric of American society through the fundamental and persistent neglect, by the governed and governors alike, of the supreme, the inescapable and urgent duty -- so repeatedly and graphically represented and stressed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the social fabric of the nation -- of remedying, while there is yet time, through a revolutionary change in the concept and attitude of the average white American toward his Negro fellow citizen, a situation which, if allowed to drift, will, in the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, cause the streets of American cities to run with blood, aggravating thereby the havoc which the fearful weapons of destruction, raining from the air, and amassed by a ruthless, a vigilant, a powerful and inveterate enemy, will wreak upon those same cities.

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 126

This, indeed, is a chastisement which ye, of your own will, have inflicted upon yourselves, could ye but perceive it. Are ye rejoicing in the things which, according to the estimate of God, are contemptible and worthless, things wherewith He proveth the hearts of the doubtful?

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 208

[19] 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.

V.19

The thing that must come hath come suddenly; behold how they flee from it! The inevitable hath come to pass; witness how they have cast it behind their backs! This is the Day whereon every man will fly from himself, how much more from his kindred, could ye but perceive it. Say: By God! The blast hath been blown on the trumpet, and lo, mankind hath swooned away before us! The Herald hath cried out, and the Summoner raised His voice saying: "The Kingdom is God's, the Most Powerful, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting."

Baha'u'llah, XVIII Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.43

[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

V.20 We are told to rejoice, as God has made way for a new world.

Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen.

Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 121

[21] 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.

V.21 This Mighty Angel being the next one mentioned is the Hindu Angel. As peculiar as it may seem, this Angel being interjected into the events surrounding Babylon the Great, it is indicative that it has a role to play. Indeed, it may be the initiating role when the first stone is cast, a great mill stone, symbolic of the first use of a nuclear weapon.

Before the events happen we can only speculate upon them. The purpose of prophecy is not to foretell the future but for us to understand it in retrospect so that we will have confidence in the Source. Therefore, at this tme this is mere speculation, but we saw previously (in the unique way that verse 14:15 was treated) the exceptional nature that the Muslims of India (now Pakistan) would/could play regarding nuclear weapons.

Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

King James Bible

Thus it is that he destinies of the nations of the world are intertwined.

These same fiery tribulations will not only firmly weld the American nation to its sister nations in both hemispheres, but will through their cleansing effect, purge it thoroughly of the accumulated dross which ingrained racial prejudice, rampant materialism, widespread ungodliness and moral laxity have combined, in the course of successive generations, to produce, and which have prevented her thus far from assuming the role of world spiritual leadership forecast by 'Abdu'l-Baha's unerring pen -- a role which she is bound to fulfill through travail and sorrow.

Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 126

[22] 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 whatsoever 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;

V.22 The voice of the musicians of that great city which was famous for its music, the arts, and great craftsmen is gone. No sound is heard. The millstone is a symbol of industry, but also is heard no more.

CIV. O ye peoples of the world! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity is following you, and that grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not the deeds ye have committed have been blotted from My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My Pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 208

"As for those who believe not in the signs of God, or that they shall ever attain His Presence, these of My mercy shall despair, and these doth a grievous chastisement await."

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 115

[23] 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; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

V.23 The light of the candle, meaning the spirituality of the city, will shine no more. The voice of the bride and bridegroom, those who stood for justice and equity, were no longer heard, for the great men and merchants of the city, by gaining power through their evil ways, deceived the nations of the world.

In His message to the kings of the earth, Baha'u'llah, ...warns them that "Divine chastisement" will "assail" them "from every direction," if they refuse to heed His counsels...

Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 172

Soon shall the blasts of His chastisement beat upon you, and the dust of hell enshroud you. Those men who, having amassed the vanities and ornaments of the earth, have turned away disdainfully from God -- these have lost both this world and the world to come. Ere long, will God, with the Hand of Power, strip them of their possessions, and divest them of the robe of His bounty. To this they themselves shall soon witness.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 208

[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

V.24 The materialistic ways of men brought about the death of the Prophets and saints, those who God had sent to guide mankind toward a life of justice, honesty and love of mankind.

"May God hasten the joy His coming will bring!" On the day of the Revelation of that Sun of Truth, however, all, as hath been observed, have exclaimed, saying: "May God hasten His chastisement!"

Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 119

Bible Verses

[1] And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Commentary

V.1 There is new thought about life and it's meaning, which brings great rejoicing and honoring the glory and power of God. This is the beginning of a marvelous new civilization that will lift mankind to a higher level of scientific and spiritual attainment than has ever before been possible.

Verily, Thou art the Lord of Strength, Thou art potent to ordain what so ever Thou willest and within Thy Grasp Thou holdest the reins of all created things. No God is there but Thee, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.117

[2] 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.

V.2 The world always struggles between the Yin and Yang, between light and dark, between materiality and spirituality. When the dark side goes too far - retribution occurs.

The people aforetime joined partners with God, though they professed belief in His unity; and although they were the most ignorant amongst men, they considered themselves the most accomplished. But, as a token of divine retribution upon those heedless ones, their erroneous beliefs and pursuits have, in this Day of Judgement, been made clear and evident to every man of discernment and understanding.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 124

[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

V.3 Those that have recognized God and His Manifestation are joyous. The memory (smoke) of the city (Babylon) will never be forgotten.

The world has become a new world. The darkness of night which has enveloped humanity is passing. A new day has dawned. Divine susceptibilities and heavenly capacities are developing in human souls under the training of the Sun of Truth.

Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.23