I continue on with my slow read of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet of the Son. (Previous entries can be read here.) Paragraphs 13 and 14 are the midway point in the tablet, where Baha’u’llah moves into the second section and introduces a new, but closely related, theme. I think the shift in focus, from the part one theme to the part two theme, is summarised in the last part of paragraph 13:
“do not think that the manifestation of the Eternal Truth is limited to causing outward knowledge to appear or altering some well-established laws among the people. Rather, at the time of revelation all things become bearers of divine emanations and infinite capabilities, and in accordance with the exigencies of the time and earthly circumstances, these become manifest.”
Baha’u’llah: Tablet of the Son, paragraph 13
This quote has two sentences. I think the first sentence roughly summarises part one of the tablet: “do not think that the manifestation of the Eternal Truth is limited to causing outward knowledge to appear or altering some well-established laws among the people.” Baha’u’llah seems to be saying that the change he brings about is not limited to the realm of words and the affairs (eg, laws) of the world’s people. This statement seems to be the general principle behind Baha’u’llah’s explanation in part one that mystical talk is not a measure of spiritual worth. The measure is to recognise Baha’u’llah’s divine station and see that, with his appearance, all is new. The words of the past have been superseded. The new principle of the Cause is virtues, not mystical talk.
The second sentence from the quote above moves Baha’u’llah’s argument forward to his theme for part two. He states that his Word has huge inner significance in that it transforms the realities of things. How? By infusing into these realities the power to emanate the divine spirit – in other words, to display or make appear the holy spirit – to the extent that God has destined for each thing. Therefore, each thing in creation participates in the process of revealing God, in the Day of God, to the extent of its predestined capacity. This revelation by all things will happen when God decides, but we can assume that it will continue on indefinitely into the future. As such, even though Baha’u’llah has passed into the next world, his revelation will continue to appear through the beings and creatures that are here now and are to come. In paragraph 12 of the tablet, Baha’u’llah exhorts people to focus on the basic principle of his Cause, which he says is ‘virtues’. It is my understanding that by ‘virtues’ he is referring to the attributes of the holy spirit, which have been infused into every creature. The following passage from a Ridvan tablet is a good illustration of Baha’u’llah, through his word, infusing those attributes into the realities of things.
“Once seated on His throne, the Ancient Beauty shed the splendour of His name, the Self-Subsisting, upon all things, so as to fulfil that which had been recorded by the Supreme Pen at the bidding of God, the Most Exalted, the Most High. Then He cast the light of His name, the All-Possessing, upon all things seen and unseen; and of His name, the Most Manifest, upon all that is mentioned and all that is concealed; and of His name, the Most Great, upon the embodiments of eternity and all other peoples; and of His name, the All-Knowing, upon the exponents of the names of God.”
Baha’u’llah: Days of Remembrance, www.bahai.org/r/514343415
In paragraph 14, Baha’u’llah moves on with his discussion, referring to a letter he wrote to a Christian priest. From here on in the tablet, he quotes a long passage from that letter. He indicates that the quoted passage will help clarify what he means when he says that he has made all things the bearers of the divine emanations. I will begin my discussion on the letter next time.
“[13] My supporter: Think aright upon what was revealed from the most high pen, so that the doors of infinite knowledge might be opened before your heart and so that you might witness yourself rendered independent of everything but God, the All-Possessing, the Self-Subsisting. Likewise, do not think that the manifestation of the Eternal Truth is limited to causing outward knowledge to appear or altering some well-established laws among the people. Rather, at the time of revelation all things become bearers of divine emanations and infinite capabilities, and in accordance with the exigencies of the time and earthly circumstances, these become manifest. [14] In this regard, a summary was revealed from the heaven of the divine will in answer to a Christian priest who lives in Istanbul. Here, a portion of it will be quoted, so that perhaps some of the servants might become aware of divine, profound maxims that had been concealed from the eyes of the people.”
Baha’u’llah: Tablet of the Son, paragraphs 13 and 14