6. Part One — 5

1Afterward the companions and disciples of His Holiness (Jesus) asked Him concerning the sign of the Return and the Manifestation, and at what time this sign shall appear. The same question was asked that peerless Countenance upon several occasions, and His Holiness in each instance mentioned a certain sign, as recorded in the four Gospels.

2This Oppressed One now speaks of one of these instances, thus conferring the hidden benefits of the Tree of Reward (lit. stored up tree) for the sake of God, upon His servants; so that the mortal temples may not be deprived of the immortal fruits and may perchance attain to a sprinkling of the never-failing rivers of the Lord of Glory, which are flowing in Baghdad, "the abode of peace." We ask neither recompense nor reward. "We feed you for the sake of God only, We desire no recompense from you nor any thanks" (K. S. 76). This is a food whereby brilliant souls and minds find eternal life and this is that table of which it is spoken: "O our Lord, cause todescend upon us food from Heaven" (K. S. 5)! This food is never withheld from those who deserve it and is never exhausted. It grows continually from the Tree of Grace and descends from the Heavens of Justice and Mercy. As it is said: "Dost thou not see how God putteth forth a parable: a good word is as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed in the earth and whose branches reach unto Heaven; which bringeth forth its fruit in all seasons" (K. S. 14).

3Alas that man should withhold himself from this excellent gift and deprive himself of this eternal bounty and perpetual life! Therefore let him appreciate the value of this ideal food; perchance the dead bodies may receive new life through the wonderful favors of that Sun of Truth and faded souls may develop into the incomparable Spirit. O my brother, effort is needful while yet the days remain, in order to taste the Cups of Eternity. The breeze of life from the city of the Beloved will not blow continually; the rivers of explanation will not forever flow, and the doors of the Rizwan will not always remain open. The time will come when the Nightingales of Paradise will fly from the holy garden to Divine Nests; then thou wilt neither see the beauty of the Rose nor hear the melody of the Nightingale! Therefore while the Dove of Eternity is singing and rejoicing, and the Divine Springtime is in splendor and adornment, avail thyself of the opportunity and deprive not the ear of the heart, of its melody. This is the advice of this servant to your Honor and to the beloved of God. Whosoever wisheth, let him advance and whosoever wisheth, let him deny; verily God is independent of him and of that which he may see and witness.

4These are the melodies sung by Jesus the Son of Mary with glorious notes in the Rizwan of the Gospel, as to the signs of the subsequent Manifestation. When they asked concerning these signs, He answered them, according to the first book ascribed to Matthew (xxiv. 29-31):