Chapter 27
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Newer translation of passage from Some Answered Questions creates ambiguity about the Manifestations of God. Last updated: May 9th, 2024.
Passage 2 from the newer of translation of Some Answered Questions, omits key words from the phrase, "They [Supreme Manifestations like Jesus and Baha'u'llah] possess some perfections which make the other Manifestations dependent upon Them" found in the older translation (passage 1). Instead, it says, "They also evince beyond those such perfections as to make all others even as Their followers",
creating ambiguity regarding a fundamental teaching; that is,
Dependent/Lesser Prophets (e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah) are also Manifestations of God, and receive their revelation from the Supreme Manifestations (as indicated passage 3). It also obscures the fact that Baha'u'llah has Dependent/Lesser Prophets, who are also Manifestations of God.
1)
Know that the attributes of perfection, the splendor of the divine
bounties, and the lights of inspiration are visible and evident in all
the Holy Manifestations; but the glorious Word of God, Christ, and the
Greatest Name, Bahá'u'lláh, are manifestations and evidences which are
beyond imagination, for They possess all the perfections of the former
Manifestations; and more than that, They possess some perfections which make the other Manifestations dependent upon Them.
So all the Prophets of Israel were centers of inspiration; Christ also
was a receiver of inspiration, but what a difference between the
inspiration of the Word of God and the revelations of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah!
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 149-150
2)
Know that the attributes of perfection, the outpourings of divine
grace, and the effulgences of divine revelation shine resplendent in
all the Manifestations of God, but that the all-encompassing Word of
God—Christ—and His Most Great Name—Bahá’u’lláh—have appeared with a
revelation beyond all conception. For not only do They possess all the
perfections of the former Manifestations, but They also evince beyond those such perfections as to make all others even as Their followers.
Thus the Prophets of Israel were all recipients of divine revelation,
and so too was Christ, but what a difference between the revelation of
Him Who was the Word of God and the inspiration of an Isaiah, a Jeremiah, or an Elijah!
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, 2014 edition (new translation).
3)
Question.--How many kinds of Prophets are there? Answer.--Universally,
the Prophets are of two kinds. One are the independent Prophets Who are
followed; the other kind are not independent and are themselves
followers.
The independent Prophets are the lawgivers and the founders of a new
cycle. Through Their appearance the world puts on a new garment, the
foundations of religion are established, and a new book is revealed.
Without an intermediary They receive bounty from the Reality of the
Divinity, and Their illumination is an essential illumination. They are
like the sun which is luminous in itself: the light is its essential
necessity; it does not receive light from any other star. These
Dawning-places of the morn of Unity are the sources of bounty and the
mirrors of the Essence of Reality.
The other Prophets are followers and promoters, for they are branches
and not independent; they receive the bounty of the independent
Prophets, and they profit by the light of the Guidance of the universal
Prophets. They are like the moon, which is not luminous and radiant in itself, but receives its light from the sun.
The Manifestations of universal Prophethood Who appeared independently
are, for example, Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Báb and
Bahá'u'lláh. But the others who are followers and promoters are like
Solomon, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. For the independent
Prophets are founders; They establish a new religion and make new
creatures of men; They change the general morals, promote new customs
and rules, renew the cycle and the Law. Their appearance is like the
season of spring, which arrays all earthly beings in a new garment, and
gives them a new life.
With regard to the second sort of Prophets who are followers, these
also promote the Law of God, make known the Religion of God, and
proclaim His word. Of themselves they have no power and might, except
what they receive from the independent Prophets.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p.165
More references on the Manifestations of God (Independent Prophets and Dependent/Lesser Prophets) available at the following link.
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