h
being allegorical. For instance, among the signs is that of
sovereignty. For Baha'is say that the sovereignty of Christ was a
heavenly, divine, everlasting sovereignty, not a Napoleonic
sovereignty that vanisheth in a short time. For well-nigh two
thousand years this sovereignty of Christ hath been established,
and until now it endureth, and to all eternity that Holy Being
will be exalted upon an ever-lasting throne.

In like manner all the other signs have been made manifest, but
the Jews did not understand. Although nearly twenty centuries have
elapsed since Christ appeared with divine splendor, yet the Jews
are still awaiting the coming of the Messiah and regard themselves
as true and Christ as false.--Written by 'Abdu'l-Baha for this
chapter.

Had the Jews applied to Christ He would have explained to them the true
meaning of the prophecies concerning Himself. Let us profit by their
example, and before deciding that the prophecies concerning the
Manifestation of the Latter-Day Teacher have not been fulfilled, let us
turn to what Baha'u'llah Himself has written regarding their
interpretation, for many of the prophecies are admittedly "sealed"
sayings, and the True Educator Himself is the only One Who can break the
seals and show the real meaning contained in the casket of words.

Baha'u'llah has written much in explanation of the prophecies of old, but
it is not on these that He depends for proof of His Prophethood. The sun
is its own proof, to all that have the power of perception. When it rises
we need no ancient predictions to assure us of its shining. So with the
Manifestation of God when He appears. Were all the former prophecies swept
into oblivion, He would still be His own abundant and sufficient proof to
all whose spiritual sense are open.

Proofs of Prophethood

Baha'u'llah asked no one to accept His statements and His tokens blindly.
On the contrary, He put in the very forefront of His teachings emphatic
warnings against blind acceptance of authority, and urged all to open
their eyes and ears, and use their own judgement, independently and
fearlessly, in order to ascertain the truth. He enjoined the fullest
investigation and never concealed Himself, offering, as the supreme proofs
of His Prophethood, His words and works and their effects in transforming
the lives and characters of men. The tests He proposed are the same as
those laid do