Dear Larry, Your question indicates a perceptive and careful reading of the texts. In the Dawn Breakers the Bab is quoted to have said that Mulla Husayn was the return of Muhammad. However, the following passage suggests that we may now have the Bab (in the person of Quddus) as one of the Witnesses and Muhammad (in the person of Mulla Husayn) as the other. On the other hand, the passage may indicate that the Bab and Quddus are the two Witnesses.
"Quddus enquired whether he had brought with him any of his Master's writings, and, on being informed that he had none with him, presented his guest with the pages of a manuscript which he had in his possession, and requested him to read certain of its passages. As soon as he had read a page of that manuscript, his countenance underwent a sudden and complete change. His features betrayed an undefinable expression of admiration and surprise. The loftiness, the profundity -- above all, the penetrating influence of the words he had read, provoked intense agitation in his heart and called forth the utmost praise from his lips. Laying down the manuscript, he said: "I can well realise that the Author of these words has drawn His inspiration from that Fountainhead which stands immeasurably superior to the sources whence the learning of men is ordinarily derived. I hereby testify to my whole-hearted recognition of the sublimity of these words and to my unquestioned acceptance of the truth which they reveal." From the silence which Quddus observed, as well as from the expression which his countenance betokened, Mulla Husayn concluded that no one else except his host could have penned those words. He instantly arose from his seat and, standing with bowed head at the threshold of the door, reverently declared: "The hidden treasure of which the BÃb has spoken, now lies unveiled before my eyes. Its light has dispelled the gloom of perplexity and doubt. Though my Master be now hidden amid the mountain fastnesses of Adhirbayjan, the sign of His splendour and the revelation of His might stand manifest before me. I have found in Mazindaran the reflection of His glory." (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 262) As well you may want to read the provisional translations of Ali's sermons to be found at http://bahaistudies.net/kf/translations.html You may find them enlightening on the spiritual answer to this subject. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Marquardt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 10:14 AM Subject: Re: Rev. 11:3 > Thank you Michael for your explanation which helps but I am still wondering why Shoghi Effendi says, "and whose appearance the Revelation of St.John the Divine anticipated "AS ONE OF THE TWO WITNESSES" into whom, ere the "second woe is past," the "spirit of life from God" must enter...". I understand this passage is referring to Rev.11:14 and your explanation and references to the Dawnbreakers and the Holy Quran are excellent but I am still trying to understand why Shoghi Effendi specifically says Quddus was ONE OF THE TWO WITNESSES whose appearance was ANTICIPATED IN THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN. Is the Book of Revelation in this chapter informing us that there are TWO WITNESSES for the first woe and TWO WITNESSES for the second woe? If this is true, somehow this message is escaping me in my reading of it. Thank you. > > __________________________________________________ > You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Baha'i Studies is available through the following: > Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st > News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st > Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist > Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
