BahÃĄâ•Žuâ•ŽllÃĄh and the New Era - Knowledge Rush

Interpretation of ProphecyThe interpretation of prophecy is notoriously difficult, and on nosubject do the opinions of the learned differ more widely. Thisis not to be wondered at, for, according to the revealed writingsthemselves, many of the prophecies were given in such a formthat they could not be fully understood until the fulfillment came,and even then, only by those who were pure in heart and freefrom prejudice. Thus at the end of Daniel’s visions the seer wastold:—But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, andknowledge shall be increased.... And I heard, but I understoodnot: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of thesethings? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words areclosed up and sealed till the time of the end.—Daniel xii, 4–9.If God sealed up the prophecies until the appointed time,and did not fully reveal the interpretation even to the prophetswho uttered them, we may expect that none but the appointedMessenger of God will be able to break the seal and disclose themeanings concealed in the casket of the prophetic parables. Reflectionon the history of prophecies and their misinterpretationin previous ages and dispensations, combined with the solemnwarnings of the prophets themselves, should render us very charyof accepting the speculations of theologians as to the real meaningof these utterances and the manner of their fulfillment. Onthe other hand, when someone appears who claims to fulfill theprophecies, it is important that we examine his claim with open,unprejudiced minds. Should he be an impostor, the fraud willsoon be discovered and no harm will be done, but woe to allwho carelessly turn God’s Messenger from the door because Hecomes in an unexpected form or time.