This is interesting. It speaks of the proper interpretation of the Hidden Book as being something that is woven throughout all the holy books that has a very specific meaning that shall at some point become unlocked or unfolded in such a way as to expose the falseness of many people's religious views as well as convey the truth of all the former prophets to unbelievers.
The only way the knowledge of God can be unfolded is if He willingly Sends another revelation, with a new Book, which contains the interpretations of the Figurative verses as this has been the way the Quran is revealed.
I agree that the resurrection can be looked at spiritually as well as physically. This also would be consistent with the process of those who are "firmly rooted in knowledge" obtaining the proper and complete understanding of the Hidden Book.
Yes, but more interestingly, this is how Quran defines raising from the dead:
“Shall the dead whom We have quickened, and for whom We have ordained a light whereby he may walk among men, be like him, whose likeness is in the darkness, whence he will not come forth?” Quran 6:122
The above verse was revealed when a man who was an unbeliever before, became a believer, and the verse is saying He was raised from Dead.
That verse you shared earlier also alluded to the coming fourth of the proper interpretation as being a means by which unbelievers would be judged. Understanding this Hidden Book properly appears to be the basis upon which a person can hope to be resurrected unto a good and glorious end rather than being exposed for having taught and advanced false personal interpretations.
:yes:
This sounds like Daniel 12:4 when Michael would stand up and there would be a time of trouble.
This also sounds like Acts 1:7 when Jesus taught that only the Father would know when it was time for His Kingdom to come.
It seems to me that the coming Kingdom of the Father shall include the knowledge of the correct interpretation of the Hidden Book. While there may be other intermediary sources of guidance to help a person get there, ultimately it all boils down to those who really "get it". This appears to me to be connected with Michael standing up in the latter days. What role do you see Michael playing in the end times? What is his "time of trouble"?
Yes, In Baha'i view, it is the same as Daniel 12:4 :
"But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
My understanding is that Michael becomes the new Adam for the new Creation to follow and his time of trouble is when he transgresses and falls. Therefore, it seems that Michael's redemption is connected with the resurrection of everyone, which is also connected with everyone's time of Judgment. Adam lived for nearly 1,000 years so it seems suggestive to me that the period of Adam's lifetime corresponds with the Day of Judgment. It is also Adam who has the job of giving all of the "creatures" their "new name", which seems to be indicative of the process of judgment.
Yes, it could be the appearance of someone else like Michael.
If this manner of interpretation of things is correct, then I would simply be one who is firmly grounded in knowledge and in agreement with the Hidden Book. Of course, I could also just be making my own personal interpretation. People won't really know until the proper interpretation is given and then you can look at everything a person has taught and know if it was in accordance with the Hidden Book, or if they had made things up on their own. I believe there will be multiple individuals who will be firmly grounded in knowledge that find one another and collaborate together until the full vision snaps into view such that it can be coherently explained to others. All of those individuals will not take glory to themselves, but they will recognize that if it wasn't for God's grace no such knowledge could have come to them.
In Baha'i View, only Manifestations of God is considered to be firmly grounded in knowledge, as well as the chosen ones of God, such as prophets.
Perhaps that is so. Does the New Revelation include the information that will help everyone come to the fulness of the knowledge of the Hidden Book, or is it yet another waypoint in the process pointing to a yet future unfolding?
Pretty much everything that was Hidden is revealed in the Baha'i Scriptures.
ABout 200 volumes of new scriptures.
This doesn't seem like a consistent reading of that verse. I got the understanding that the Judgment Day itself would be a period of about 1,000 years. It is likely coincidental that there was 1,000 years before the Baha'i Revelation.
You have to watch out for the curve balls.
According to Islamic Traditions, Mahdi is the Promised One of Islam, who comes to teach true religion.
According to Hadithes from Muhammad, Mahdi comes at the end of the Cycle of His people, which is One Thousands Years. (References from ISlamic sources available upon request.)
(I will discuss that verse in more details later to show how it means 1000 years after Islam)
and this is what Baha'i Writings says about that verse:
"The "day whose length shall be a thousand years," foretold by the Apostle of God in His Book, had terminated."
- God passes By, p. 40
When the Bab appeared, He anounced to the People:
""I am," He exclaimed, "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. "
--God passes By, p.18
