5: THE WORLD'S GREAT LIGHT, ONCE RESPLENDENT UPON ALL ...

The world's great Light, once resplendent upon all mankind, hath set, to

shine everlastingly from the Abha Horizon, His Kingdom of fadeless glory,

shedding splendour upon His loved ones from on high and breathing into

their hearts and souls the breath of eternal life.

Ponder in your hearts that which He hath foretold in His Tablet of the

Divine Vision that hath been spread throughout the world. Therein He

saith: 'Thereupon she wailed and exclaimed: "May the world and all that is

therein be a ransom for Thy woes. O Sovereign of heaven and earth!

Wherefore hast Thou left Thyself in the hands of the dwellers of this

prison-city of Akka? Hasten Thou to other dominions, to Thy retreats

above, whereon the eyes of the people of names have never fallen." We

smiled and spake not. Reflect upon these most exalted words, and

comprehend the purpose of this hidden and sacred mystery.'

O ye beloved of the Lord! Beware, beware lest ye hesitate and waver. Let

not fear fall upon you, neither be troubled nor dismayed. Take ye good

heed lest this calamitous day slacken the flames of your ardour, and

quench your tender hopes. Today is the day for steadfastness and

constancy. Blessed are they that stand firm and immovable as the rock and

brave the storm and stress of this tempestuous hour. They, verily, shall

be the recipients of God's grace; they, verily, shall receive His divine

assistance, and shall be truly victorious. They shall shine amidst mankind

with a radiance which the dwellers of the Pavilion of Glory laud and

magnify. To them is proclaimed this celestial call, revealed in His Most

Holy Book: 'Let not your hearts be perturbed, O people, when the glory of

My Presence is withdrawn, and the ocean of My utterance is stilled. In My

presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and in My absence there is yet

another, inscrutable to all but God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing.

Verily, We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever

will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on

high and a company of Our favoured angels.'

The Sun of Truth, that Most Great Light, hath set upon the horizon of the

world to rise with deathless splendour over the Realm of the Limitless. In

His Most Holy Book He calleth the firm and steadfast of His friends: 'Be

not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day-star of My beauty is

set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to

further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men.'

Selections from the writings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá · 第 11 / 310 题