34. Part Two — 14
1Consequently from these explanations it is evident that should a Face come forth in the "End beyond which there is no end," and rise up in the same Command upheld by a Face in the "Beginning before which there is no beginning," it can be truly said that the last Face is identical with the first, for the Face of the "End beyond which there is no end" hath risen up in the same Command upheld by the Face of the "Beginning before which there is no beginning." Thus the Point of the Beyan (may the life of all save Him be a sacrifice to Him!) hath likened the Suns of Unity to the sun which though it rise from the " beginning before which there is no beginning," until the "End beyond which there is no end," is the same sun which hath risen. Now if it be said this sun is that former sun, it is true, and if it be said that it is the return of that sun, it is also true. Likewise from these explanations, the term "last" becomes true of the first Face and conversely; for whatever was upheld by the last Face is identical with that which was upheld by the first Beauty.
2Although this point is clear to those who have drunk the choice wine of Knowledge and assurance, yet how many souls through lack of understanding it, are veiled by the term "Seal (last) of the Prophets," and deprived and bereft of the bounties! Although it is said by His Holiness Himself—"I am all the Prophets," and also, "I am Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus," as mentioned, yet they do not consider that while the saying of that Eternal Beauty—"I am the first Adam," is true, likewise His saying—"I am the last Adam," must also be true. For just as He applied the "First of the Prophets"—that is Adam—to Himself, in the same way the "Seal (last) of the Prophets" can also be applied to that Divine Beauty. It is very clear that since the "First of the Prophets" is true of His Holiness, the "Seal (last) of the Prophets" is likewise true.
3During this Manifestation, all the people of the earth are tested by this point, and most of them, holding fast to this statement, have turned away from its author. I know not what this people have understood by the beginning and ending of God (Exalted is His Name!). If by beginning and ending, a temporal beginning and ending be intended, the worldly things have not yet come to an end. How then can ending be true of that Essence of Oneness? Nay rather, in this station the beginning is none other than the ending, and vice versa.
4To resume: As in the station of "Beginning before which there is no beginning," the station of the "End" becomes true of that Educator of the Seen and Unseen, likewise the same becomes true of His Manifestations. While the name "Beginning" is true (of them), at the same time the name "End" is also true, and while they are established upon the seat of being the "Beginning," at the same time they occupy the throne of being the "End." Should a discerning sight be found, it will perceive that these Holy Essences, Abstracted Spirits and Divine Souls are the Manifestors of the "First," the "Last," the "Manifest," the "Hidden," the "Beginning," and the "End." Shouldst thou soar in the atmosphere of "There was God and nothing was with Him," thou wilt find all these Names as mere nothingness and utter absence in that court, and then thou wilt not be masked by these veils, allusions and sayings. How pure and lofty is this station, to which even Gabriel cannot find the way without a guide, and whereunto the celestial bird cannot soar without the Invisible Assistance!
5Understand what His Holiness, the Commander(of the Faithful) hath said—"Unfolding the veils of glory without allusion." Among the veils of glory are the religious doctors of the age, and the theologians of the time of a Manifestation, who do not submit to the Command of God on account of their lack of understanding and their devotion and love for outward leadership. Nay rather, they do not listen to hear the Divine Melody, and "they put their fingers in their ears" (K. S. 2). As the people have taken them in place of God for their masters, they await acceptance or rejection (of the Truth) by these supporting props; for they have no sight, hearing or heart of their own to distinguish and discriminate between truth and falsehood.
6Though all the Prophets, Chosen Ones and Holy Ones have commanded on the part of God that they should see and hear with their own eyes and ears, yet disregarding the exhortations of the Prophets, they have followed and will follow their divines. Should a needy and poor one destitute of the clothing of men of learning say "O people: Follow the Messengers of God" (K. S. 36), they will wonder exceedingly at such a statement and answer—'When all these learned and cultured men with outward leadership and rich and magnificent apparel have not understood and have failed to distinguish truth from falsehood, how couldst thou and those like thee understand?' If number and the garb of learning be a proof and indication of knowledge and truth, the former peoples should prove more worthy and superior, for they are greater and more numerous.
7The point is also clear and evident that the divines of the age have prevented people from the path of truth at the time of the appearance of the Holy Manifestations. This is recorded and stated in all the Heavenly Books and Epistles. No Prophet was sent forth who did not become the object of hatred, denial, rejection and execration by the divines. May God denounce them for what they have done formerly and are now doing! What veils of glory are greater than these temples of error? By God, removing these veils of glory is the greatest affair, and rending them asunder is the mightiest action! May God strengthen us and you, O concourse of Spirit, that ye may succeed in this in the time of "Mustagath," and be not veiled from the Meeting of God in His Day.