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Chapter 81
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The Prophets (both Independent and Dependent) as witnesses.
1)
The two witnesses, Muhammad (the Independent Prophet) and Imam Ali (the first Dependent/Lesser Prophet in the era of Muhammad).
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a
thousand two hundred and three-score days, clothed in sackcloth." These
two witnesses are Muhammad the Messenger of God, and `Alí, son of Abú
Tálib.
In the Qur'án it is said that God addressed Muhammad, the Messenger of
God, saying: "We made You a Witness, a Herald of good news, and a
Warner"--that is to say, We have established Thee as the witness, the
giver of good tidings, and as One bringing the wrath of God. The
meaning of "a witness" is one by whose testimony things may be
verified. The commands of these two witnesses were to be performed for
twelve hundred and sixty days, each day signifying a year. Now,
Muhammad was the root, and `Alí the branch,
like Moses and Joshua. It is said they "are clothed in sackcloth,"
meaning that they, apparently, were to be clothed in old raiment, not
in new raiment; in other words, in the beginning they would possess no
splendor in the eyes of the people, nor would their Cause appear new;
for Muhammad's spiritual Law corresponds to that of Christ in the
Gospel, and most of His laws relating to material things correspond to
those of the Pentateuch. This is the meaning of the old raiment.
Then it is said: "These are the two olive trees, and the two
candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." These two souls are
likened to olive trees because at that time all lamps were lighted by
olive oil. The meaning is two persons from whom that spirit of the
wisdom of God, which is the cause of the illumination of the world,
appears. These lights of God were to radiate and shine; therefore, they
are likened to two candlesticks: the candlestick is the abode of the
light, and from it the light shines forth. In the same way the light of
guidance would shine and radiate from these illumined souls.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 48
2)
In the passage below, Muhammad fortells the coming of the Bab (first Trumpet) and Bahá'u'lláh (second Trumpet).
"And the Earth will shine with the Glory of its Lord" refers to the era of Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God.
"the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward" refers to the pre-existent Dependent Prophets of Baha'u'llah summoned to appear on earth.
"Did not apostles come to you from among yourselves" refers to the Dependent Prophets of Baha'u'llah.
"rehearsing to you the Signs of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of This Day of yours?" refers
to the Dependent Prophets promoting the teachings of Baha'u'llah, the
Independent Prophet, the same way the Holy Imams promoted teachings of
Muhammad.
39:67 No just estimate have they made of God, such as is due to Him: On
the Day of Judgment the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and
the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him! High is
He above the Partners they attribute to Him!
39:68 The Trumpet will (just) be sounded [appearance of the Bab],
when all that are in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except such
as it will please God (to exempt). Then will a second one be sounded [appearance of Baha'u'llah], when, behold, they will be standing and looking on!
39:69 And the Earth will shine with the Glory of its Lord [the era of Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God]:
the Record (of Deeds) will be placed (open); the prophets and the
witnesses will be brought forward [pre-existent Dependent Prophets of
Baha'u'llah will be summoned to appear on earth] and a just decision
pronounced between them; and they will not be wronged (in the least).
39:70 And to every soul will be paid in full (the fruit) of its Deeds; and (God) knoweth best all that they do.
39:71 The Unbelievers will be led to Hell in crowd: until, when they
arrive, there, its gates will be opened. And its keepers will say, "Did
not apostles [Dependent Prophets of Baha'u'llah] come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing to you the Signs of your Lord [promoting the teachings of Baha'u'llah the same way the Holy Imams promoted teachings of Muhammad],
and warning you of the Meeting of This Day of yours?" The answer will
be: "True: but the Decree of Punishment has been proved true against
the Unbelievers!"
-- Qur'an: 39 - AZ-ZUMAR
Verily We have sounded the Trumpet [appearance of Baha'u'llah]
which is none other than My Pen of Glory, and lo, mankind hath swooned
away before it, save them whom God pleaseth to deliver as a token of
His grace. He is the Lord of bounty, the Ancient of Days.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 61
Upon Our arrival in Iraq We found the Cause of God sunk in deep apathy
and the breeze of divine revelation stilled. Most of the believers were
faint and dispirited, nay utterly lost and dead. Hence there was a
second blast on the Trumpet [appearance of Baha'u'llah],
whereupon the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these blessed words: `We have
sounded the Trumpet for the second time.' Thus the whole world was
quickened through the vitalizing breaths of divine revelation and
inspiration.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 131
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