From: hakim@bigq.enet.dec.com 
Subject: The Book of Certitude (part 6)
Organization: Sun Microsystems of Canada, Inc.
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 16:54:50 GMT




As to the words -"Immediately after the oppression of those days" [Matthew 
24:29]-they refer to the time when men shall become oppressed and afflicted,
the time when the lingering traces of the Sun of Truth [i.e. The divine 
guiding light reflected from the Manifestation of God. KH] and the fruit of 
the Tree of knowledge and wisdom will have vanished from the midst of men, 
when the reins of mankind will have fallen into the grasp of the foolish and
ignorant, when the portals of divine unity and understanding -the essential 
and highest purpose in creation- will have been closed, when certain know-
ledge will have given way to idle fancy, and corruption will have usurped 
the station of righteousness. Such a condition as this is witnessed in this 
day when the reins of every community, have fallen into the grasp of foolish
leaders, who lead after their own whims and desire. On their tongue the 
mention of God hath become an empty name; in their midst His holy Word a 
dead letter. Such is the sway of their desires, that the lamp of conscience 
and reason hath been quenched in their hearts, and this although the fingers 
of divine power have unlocked the portals of the knowledge of God, and the 
light of divine knowledge and heavenly grace hath illumined and inspired the 
essence of all created things, in such wise that in each and every thing a 
door of knowledge hath been opened, and within every atom traces of the sun 
hath been made manifest. And yet, in spite of all these manifold revelations 
of divine knowledge, which have encompassed the world, they still vainly 
imagine the door of knowledge to be closed, and the showers of mercy to be 
stilled. Clinging unto idle fancy, they have strayed far from the Urvatu'l-
Vuthqa [Literally, "The strongest handle," meaning the Faith of God. KH] of 
divine knowledge. Their hearts seem not to be inclined to knowledge and the 
door thereof, neither think they of its manifestation, inasmuch as in idle 
fancy they have found the door that leadeth unto earthly riches, whereas in 
the manifestation of the Revealer of knowledge they find naught but the call 
to self sacrifice. They therefore naturally hold fast unto the former, and 
flee from the latter. Though they recognize in their hearts the Law of God 
to be one and the same, yet from every direction they issue a new command, 
and in every season proclaim a fresh decree. No two are found to agree on 
one and the same law, for they seek no God but their own desire, and tread 
no path but the path of error. In leadership they have recognized the 
ultimate object of their endeavour, and account pride and haughtiness as 
the highest attainment of their heart's desire. They have placed their 
sordid machinations above the divine decree, have renounced resignation to 
the will of God, busied themselves with selfish calculations, and walked in 
the way of the hypocrite. With all their power and strength they strive to 
secure themselves in their petty pursuits, fearful lest the least discredit 
undermine their authority or blemish the display of their magnificence. Were 
the eye to be anointed and illumined with the collyrium of the knowledge of 
God, it would surely discover that a number of voracious beasts have gathered 
and preyed upon the carrion of the souls of men. 

What "oppression" is greater than that which hath been recounted? What
"oppression" is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing
to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and
from whom to seek it? For opinions have sorely differed and the ways unto
the attainment of God have multiplied. This "oppression" is the essential
feature of every Revelation. Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will 
not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs
follow the darkness of the night of error. For this reason in all chronicles
and traditions reference hath been made unto these things, namely that iniquity
shall cover the surface of the earth and darkness shall envelop mankind. As 
the traditions referred to are well known, and as the purpose of this servant
is to be brief, He will refrain from quoting the text of these traditions. 

Were this "oppression" (which literally meaneth pressure) to be interpreted
that the earth is to become contracted, or were men's idle fancy to conceive
similar calamities to befall mankind, it is clear and manifest that no such 
happenings can ever come to pass. They will assuredly protest that this pre-
requisite of divine revelation hath not been made manifest. Such hath been
and still is their contention. Whereas, by "oppression" is meant the want 
of capacity to acquire spiritual knowledge and apprehend the Word of God. 
By it is meant that when the Day-star of Truth hath set, and the mirrors 
that reflect His light have departed, mankind will become afflicted with
"oppression" and hardship, knowing not whither to turn for guidance. Thus 
We instruct thee in the interpretation of the traditions, and reveal unto 
thee the mysteries of divine wisdom, that haply thou mayest comprehend the 
meaning thereof, and be of them that have quaffed the cup of divine knowledge 
and understanding. 

			     Baha'u'llah, The Book of Certitude (p. 29-33)
	
					    To be continued