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So, just as the Jewish people were free to raise objections to the claim that Jesus was the Christ, so Christians today are free to raise similar objections to Baha'u'llah's claim. Some of these include: He isn't called Christ; He didn't come from the sky; all eyes did not see Him when He came; Christ is to triumph, yet Baha'u'llah suffered exile and imprisonment during most of His lifetime. And of course, the objections can go on and on (105:1) What the story of the New Testament shows us, I believe, and what I have tried to demonstrate in this book, is that the basis of all such objections is simply not Biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does it show that first comes understanding of the prophecies, then belief in Him. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence that the reverse is true (105:2) The ways of God are not the ways of man. Though no one could have predicted it, to the Baha'is, there are once again two worlds: the world that believes in Him, and the world that is seeking after Him (105:3) Those Who Hear and See, and Those Who Refuse to Hear and See (105:4) In the previous chapter, I have attempted to illustrate certain principles through which we can understand the relationship of those who sought after the Christ, and those who believed in Him. These principles, as seen through the analogy of sleep and wakefulness, offer us an explanation of many aspects of the phenomenon of the growth of the religion of God (105:5) Baha'u'llah teaches that these principles are applicable in this day: (105:6) The peoples of the world are fast asleep. Were they to wake from their slumber, they would hasten with eagerness unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They would cast away everything they possess, be it all the treasures of the earth, that their Lord may remember them to the extent of addressing to them but one word. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 137 (105:7) Incline your ears to the sweet melody of this Prisoner. Arise, and lift up your voices, that haply they that are fast asleep may be awakened. Say: O ye who are as dead! The Hand of Divine bounty proffereth unto you the Water of Life. Hasten and drink your fill. Whoso hath been re-born in this Day, shall never die; whoso remaineth dead, shall never live. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 213 (105:8) In the Baha'i view, the seekers in this day, are all those who are awaiting the Coming of the Messiah. Baha'is, however, believe that He has come, and therefore see themselves as believers. Baha'is therefore, understand that the qualities of those who believed in Him at the First Coming, the Christians, are now applicable to the Baha'is
(105:9)
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