Covenant

Wind Jensen's Outline of the Covenant Fireside

INTRO: GENERAL POINTS ON THE COVENANT

Did you know that God has made a promise to mankind that he will never

abandon us or leave us all alone, but that He will always send us

Spiritual Messengers and Leaders to guide us?

Covenant Defined

This promise is God's Covenant.

This Covenant is the Will of God, His Plan for spiritualizing all Humanity.

Two Types

Greater another M after 1,000 Lesser successors in Interim

The lesser Covenant is what we'll be discussing in this fireside. This

lesser Covenant is God's Plan for the creation of the Kingdom of God

on Earth, which is an actual government here on earth.

Its the fulfillment of the Lord's Prayer. Jesus told us to pray: Our

Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy

Will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven . . .

God always fulfills His Covenant (quotes1)

Verily, God effecteth that which He pleaseth; naught can annul His

Covenant; naught can obstruct His favor nor oppose His Cause! He doeth

with His will that which pleaseth Him and He is powerful over all

things! 'Abdu'l-Baha (Wellspring of Guidance, Mss. 1963-68, p.

52)

who could even think that when God states He's going to do something that

He wouldn't be

powerful enough to follow through? or that when He makes a promise He

doesn't intend to keep it, like He's lying to us messing with our minds

or something?

History of past Religions Contrasted with Today

so you've just gone through the proofs for Baha'u'llah--that's the Greater

Covenant--and you see we have this whole new age, 1,000s of writings

revealed by Baha. and `Abdu'l-Baha

a whole new Revelation of True Knowledge to humanity

and with this Truth humanity will be set free from the spiritual darkness

of idolatry and

materialism that has enveloped it for eons

and enter an age of universal peace and a world-wide spiritual

civilization

but what's going to protect this Truth? what's going to make things

different this time from all the other times when God sent His Message and

after the Messenger left it got corrupted?

Jesus Apostles 60 years after crucifixion 80 sects

In former cycles no distinct Covenant was made in writing by the

Supreme Pen; no distinct personage was appointed to be the Standard

differentiating falsehood from truth, so that whatsoever he said was

to stand as truth and that which he repudiated was to be known as

falsehood. . . . But in this Dispensation of the Blessed Beauty among

its distinctions is that He did not leave people in perplexity. He

entered into a Covenant and Testament with the people.

PURPOSE OF COVENANT

Truth

the ultimate purpose of this Covenant is that:

* it is God's Plan to ensure that we will never again be separated from

the Truth of His * that we will all be united under this Truth

message

so this Covenant designates who is the true leader of the Faith who we are

to follow after the Manifestation departs, it designates Who to turn to to

get the True interpretation of the Message

. . . the Truth is unattainable except through the favor of the Holy

Spirit. The light hath a center and if one desire to seek it otherwise

but from the center, he can never attain to it.

(Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Volume III, p. 592)

the center of light is the Covenant

Spirituality

We are dependent upon the Covenant for our spiritual connection.

this is why the Covenant is referred to as the Tree of Life and the Book of

Life: salvation

Today the pulsating power in the arteries of the body of the world is

the spirit of the Covenant - the spirit which is the cause of life.

Whosoever is vivified with this spirit, the freshness and beauty of

life become manifest in him, he is baptized with the Holy Spirit, he

is born again, is freed from oppression and tyranny, from heedlessness

and harshness which deaden the spirit, and attains to everlasting

life. 'Abdu'l-

Baha (compilation, The Covenant, p. 127)

this Covenant is the connection or bridge, the bond between God and man

there is no connection between God and man except the Manifestation

and there is no connection between us and the Manifestation except through

His Covenant

but its not enough to say you believe in the Baha'u'llah:

true belief is shown by obedience to Him by accepting His Covenant

by being firm and steadfast in it

"The thing the . . . believers must do is to deepen themselves in the

Covenants of Baha'u'llah and `Abdu'l-Baha. Mere intellectual

understanding of the Teachings is not enough. Deep spirituality is

essential, and the foundation of true spirituality is steadfastness in

the Covenant." (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 543, #1841)

it says in the writings that if you separate from this Covenant, such as by

opposing it in any way, then you are cutting yourself off spiritually

its like a cloud that intervenes between you and the sun

the sun is still there but you would be deprived of its heat and light

that is, your understanding of the Baha'i Revelation would be clouded maybe

even completely obscured and you would be in

darkness

So it is necessary to know the Covenant in order to be in the True Baha'i

Faith

How to tell the true faith from the false.

the Covenant is the standard

it refers to the Covenant as the Standard in the writings

BRIEF OVERVIEW BAHA'I HISTORY

Hands Took Over

in the Baha'i Faith in this century a clergy arose and took over the Cause

of God

in 1957 after Shoghi Effendi, the great-grandson of Baha'u'llah, died his

assistants, the Hands of the Cause, took over--usurping the leadership of

the Faith

the vast majority of Baha'is went along with this "Baha'i World Faith"

they are now the largest Covenant-breaking sect of Baha'is 5 million

world-wide

Plan Thrown Out

the Hands took this plan of God and threw it out replacing it with their

own man-made plan

Shoghi Effendi had given instructions for how the House of the Lord the UHJ

was to come into existence

this House has 2 essential elements that are its composite parts an

executive branch and a legislative branch

in the W&T it says that the union of these 2 parts brings Justice

the Hands separated out the executive branch which is the head of the UHJ

from this composition and threw it away So they don't have any Justice

all they have is a monster a body without a head

now those Baha'is turn to this monster for divine guidance

after they did this almost all of the remaining Baha'is who didn't go along

with the violation of these Hands gradually dispersed into other Covenant-

breaking sects

What Now?

So what now? is the Baha'i Faith all washed up? is it already headed down

the same road as all the other apostate religions who have no message of hope

for the world?

NO! what's different this time is that we have a clearly authorized

Covenant direct from the Manifestation Himself

and it says in the writings that if only one person were left to uphold the

Covenant God would make that one victorious even if all the world were leagued

against him (quotes2)

HISTORY OF COVENANT

Old Testament

Covenant has been in existence since the beginning of God's Plan (quote3)

Bible scripture alludes to it but it was never openly explained

it says in Genesis that the Tree of Life was taken away from them

meaning that they never understood what it really was but at the end

of the Bible in Revelation it shows the Tree of Life available to

all meaning that now it will be openly explained

its the same Covenant God gave to Abraham (Genesis 17:4,6-7)

birthright/inheritance

Behold my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a

multitude of nations. . . . I will make nations of you, and kings

shall come forth from you. And I will establish my covenant between me

and you and your descendants after you through-out their generations

for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants

after you. (Genesis 17:4,6-7)

There are two parts to this Covenant God made with Abraham, one part

concerning the "multitudes of nations" and the other part concerning

the "kings". These are provisions for a spiritual succession and a

genetic-material succession. The Covenant went from Abraham to Isaac

to Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons and each of them received a blessing from

Jacob, but the Covenant of Abraham was divided into just two parts and

passed down to Joseph and Judah only.

the inheritance of the Covenant for spiritual succession is referred to as

the "birthright" in the Old Testament the Birthright of spiritual

succession went to Joseph

the other part concerning Kings, went to Judah this is the Davidic

Kingship

Abraham-Isaac-Jacob: Joseph-Ephraim-Jesus Judah-David-

Davidic Kings

its the Covenant of Jesus New Covenant: a new understanding

New Testament Jesus Covenant 3 General Points

There are three general points to keep in mind regarding the Covenant of

Jesus.

The first is that He received the birth-right, the Covenant to Ephraim

concerning the multitude of nations.

The second point is that Jesus Covenant provides for a new type of

heir: non-genetic ("spiritual") successors. Before Jesus the

Covenant had always been passed down through actual genetic

descendants. The promise of the Kingdom had only come to the Hebrews,

and these Hebrews viewed themselves as the only chosen people who

would go into the Kingdom and all the others would be shut out. But

Jesus explained to them that because of their faith they were given

this promise.

. . . it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham . . . in Christ

Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we

might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith . . . for in

Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith . . . And if you

are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to

promise. (Galations 3:7,14,26,29;

RSV Bible)

This brings us to the third point, which is the real point of Jesus

Covenant: the removal of sin. That Kingdom of God on earth that Jesus

told us to pray for, the government to be established in the future,

was to be closely inter-related with God's Plan for the perfection of

humanity. In the Book of Hebrews it cites the verses of Jeremiah 31:31-

34 which describe the New Covenant of Jesus.

When it says, "I will remember their sins no more" its talking about

the forgiveness of sin and the true forgiveness of sin is when the

sinning stops. God has an actual plan for the general state of sin in

which humanity finds itself to come to an end.

. . . and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

(Romans 11:27)

in Genesis it says that God is making man in His image spirituality

Fulfillment is in Baha'i Faith

But this Covenant for the conquest of sin was not fulfilled in

Christianity its fulfillment is only in the Baha'i Faith. The Covenant

of Jesus returns as the Baha'i Covenant which is God's Plan for a

system of government that will perfect humanity and remove its

imperfection or sin.

removal of sin or error, is sin removed from the world?

wasn't fulfilled Baha'i fulfills through the Covenant

INTRO TO BAHA'I COVENANT

Two Texts

There are two texts to this Covenant the Kitab-i-Ahd, and the Will and

Testament.

In this fireside we will be studying the Kitab-i-Ahd.

Kitab = book i = of Ahd = Covenant

This Covenant fulfills the prophecy made by Jesus Christ in Rev.

Chapter 5. In the first verse it says there is a scroll written

within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. This scroll is

the Covenant and the two texts of the Covenant are the within and the

backside of this scroll. The Kitab-i-Ahd is the within part and the

W & T is the backside or outside part. The outside part has the seven seals

on it.

Seven Seals

After `Abdu'l-Baha died they went to get the W& T and found that it

was sealed with seven signatures of `Abdu'l-Baha and that the original

copy of the Kitab-i-Ahd was tucked inside of it. It is the scroll

written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals.

Authentic

Ruth White Dispute

This is the authentic Covenant that all Baha'is should follow.

To be disobedient to any part of this Covenant is to be disobedient to God

Baha'u'llah is seated on throne of David

in the last fireside you learned that Baha'u'llah is a descendant of King

David in the royal line (quote4) in His proclamation he stated that He ruled

on the throne of David

he cannot be the 2nd Christ without this genealogy

CBs don't know this it was deliberately kept secret for its protection

Baha'u'llah continues this throne in His Covenant (quote5)

this kingship is to continue in the Baha'i system and become the president

of the UHJ

Psalm 89:3,4 27-37, who's the liar?

2 individual successors then UHJ Baha. didn't come to est. G/Davidic but

UHJ

KITAB-I-AHD

Although the Most High Horizon . . .

Baha'u'llah's Revelation , Sun = Revelation Horizon = Person

. . . is devoid of trivial possessions of the earth, we have nevertheless

bequeathed unto our heirs a noble and peerless heritage within the

treasure-house of trust and resignation.

the heritage or inheritance is the Covenant (quote6)

2 part Covenant to Abraham Ephraim and Judah

We have left no treasure nor have we added to man's pains.

By the Life of God! In earthly riches fear is hidden and peril is concealed.

Consider, then take warning by what the God of Mercy hath revealed in the

Qur'an:--- "Woe unto those who malign and speak evil of their fellows; who hoard

earthly goods and count their riches."

Earthly possessions are unstable; wherefore whatsoever passeth or suffereth

vicissitudes is unworthy of regard except to a limited measure.

explain worthy in a limited measure no hermits etc.

In bearing hardships and tribulations and in revealing verses and expounding

proofs, it has been the purpose of this oppressed One to extinguish the fire of

hate and animosity, that, haply, the horizons of the hearts of mankind be

illumined with the light of concord and attain real tranquillity.

The light of the following utterance shineth from the horizon of the Divine

Tablet, which should be observed by all: Oh people of the world! I counsel you

to act in a manner which shall tend to elevate your stations. Cling to divine

virtue and obey the divine law. Truly I say, the tongue is for mentioning that

which is good; do not defile it by evil speech. "God hath forgiven your past

ways."

once you come under this Covenant anything you did in the past is forgiven

the slate is wiped clean but you will be held accountable for everything

you do from now on

Baha'u'llah said He was pledged to forgive no man's injustice

whatever path brought you here is good

but once you reach the goal you don't need the path anymore

the real forgiveness of sin is when the sinning stops, when its in the

past, so we need to clean up our acts and make an effort to become real

Baha'is in deed as well as in our hearts

You must henceforth speak that which is worthy. Shun reviling, maligning, and

whatsoever will offend your fellowmen.

Man's station is great. Ere this, the following exalted words have flowed forth

from the Pen of Abha:

This is a Day great and blessed. Whatsoever was hidden in man is today being

revealed. The station of man is great, were he to cling to truth and

righteousness and be firm and steadfast in the Cause. Before the God of Mercy, a

true man appears like unto heaven. The sun and the moon of that heaven are his

sight and hearing and its stars are his shining attributes.

The true man is the one who turns to the Manifestation of their day, the

light of this heaven is that they have eyes to see and ears to hear the

truth of this revelation.

His station is the highest and his signs are the educator of the world.

great station angels have to earn it

don't worry about it don't compare (dog-bone analogy)

Station is not the same as position

In this Day, every believer who discovered the fragrance of the garment . . .

garment and patches story

. . .and turned with a pure heart unto the most high horizon is indeed recorded

in the Crimson Tablet as of the people of Baha.

Crimson = blood Crimson Tablet = Covenant

so it is those who have faith in the Covenant who are counted as Baha'is

Hold the chalice of My grace in My name. Then drain it in My mention, the

mighty, the wonderful!

cup of the Covenant mention = teaching

Oh people of the world! The religion of God is to create love and unity do not

make it the cause of enmity and discord.

the latin for religion is religio, meaning to bind together (quote7)

All that is regarded by men of insight and the people of the most lofty outlook

as the means for safeguarding and effecting the peace and tranquility of man,

has flowed from the Supreme Pen.

the Covenant-breakers will never establish Universal Peace because they

threw out what Baha'u'llah provided

But the ignorant ones who are the victim of self and desire, are heedless of

the consummate wisdom of the truly wise One, and their words and deeds are

prompted by fancy and superstition.

Oh ye chosen of God and His trusted ones! Kings are the manifestors of God's

power and the source of His majesty and affluence. Pray ye in their behalf. The

government of the earth has been vouchsafed unto them. But the hearts of men He

decreed unto Himself. (quotes8)

The fifteenth Glad-Tidings

Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of

the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We

do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived

thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will

be their reward in the presence of God. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah,

p. 28)

Baha'u'llah said the British system was good because it had Republic and

Kingship

the Queen signs the documents making them official

The state is, moreover, based upon two potent forces, the legislative

and the executive. The focal center of the executive power is the

government, while that of the legislative is the learned . . .

'Abdu'l-Baha (Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 37)

the executive power is the power of enforcing the laws

explain hearts decreed unto God King Louis 5th-the Sun King, Caesar

viewed as gods

He forbade conflict and strife--a rigid prohibition in the Book.

would God forbid us from doing something without providing the means to

change it? this system of government provided in this Covenant is the means

to do away with conflict and strife

This is the Decree of God in this most great Manifestation; and God hath

preserved it from annulment and clothed it with the broidered garment of

confirmation. Verily, He is the all-knowing, the all-wise!

decree is the Covenant: UHJ, Davidic king 500,000 years

It is incumbent upon everyone to aid those daysprings of authority and sources

of command who are adorned with the ornament of equity and justice.

(quotes9)

who are the daysprings of authority?

Thirteenth Glad-Tidings

The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs

of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His

servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.

(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 26-27)

Eighth Ishraq

This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of

the Most Holy Book: The men of God's House of Justice have been

charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the

Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in

His countries. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 128)

Blessed are the rulers and learned among the people of Baha. They are My

trustees among My servants and the manifestations of My commandments amidst My

people. (quotes10)

the "trustees" are the members of the UHJ

the commandments are the laws the House of Justice makes the laws

It is incumbent upon the Trustees of the House of Justice to take

counsel together regarding those things which have not outwardly been

revealed in the Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them.

God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, and He,

verily, is the Provider, the Omniscient. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah,

p. 68)

Those words uttered by the Luminaries of Truth must needs be pondered,

and should their significance be not grasped, enlightenment should be

sought from the Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge, that these

may expound their meaning, and unravel their mystery.

(Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 181-182)

AB = expounder SE = expounder UHJ = expounder

Upon them rest My glory, My blessing and My grace which have pervaded the world

of being.

This "glory" refers to the light of divine guidance, "grace" to the

perfection or removal of sin and the "blessing" is the Covenant from

which that glory and grace are conferred. This is the inheritance that

was also passed to 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi.

This means that, after 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, the heir to

the Covenant is the Universal House of Justice and the removal of sin

or perfection conferred through that Covenant thus rests upon the

Universal House of Justice alone.

Consequently the Universal House of Justice is the source of divine

guidance to the Baha'i world. The Guardian and his Hands, every

National and Local House of Justice, the entire Baha'i administration

and all the Baha'is of the world will be under the all-encompassing

shelter of divine guidance emanating through this universal

institution.

In this connection the utterances revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas are such that

from the horizon of their words the light of divine grace shineth luminous and

resplendent.

he decrees two intermediary successors to initiate this system

transition period:

because the Baha'is were not ready, the whole world wasn't ready

Oh my Branches!

Aghsan - sons

Baha'u'llah several sons

Isaiah 11:1 ancient root spirit of Lord rests upon Branch

but only `Abdu'l-Baha and Muh.-Ali was his successor (2 successors)

A mighty power and supreme potency is hidden and concealed in the world of

being.

this potency is the Covenant

the world of being means a human being: 'Abdu'l-Baha

Focus your gaze upon it and upon the direction of its unity, not upon the

differences which are apparent therein.

differences: dichotomy, history Muslims and Jews

Unity of it provided in Baha'i Faith

Cov.brking focused on one or the other

God's Will and Testament enjoins upon the branches, the twigs, and the

kinsfolk, one and all, to gaze unto the most great Branch. Consider what we have

revealed in my Book of Aqdas, to wit:

"When the sea of My Presence is exhausted and the Book of Origin hath reached

its end, turn you unto him ('Abdu'l-Baha) who is desired by God--he who is

issued from this ancient Root."

The purpose of this sacred verse is the most great Branch. Thus have we

declared the matter as a favor on our part, and we are the gracious, the

beneficent!

such a simple word "turn" does this mean we follow 'Abdu'l-Baha around or what?

(quote11)

There hath branched from the Sadratu'l-Muntaha this sacred and

glorious Being, this Branch of Holiness; well is it with him that hath

sought His shelter and abideth beneath His shadow. Verily, the Limb of

the Law of God hath sprung forth from this Root which God hath firmly

implanted in the Ground of His Will, and Whose Branch hath been so

uplifted as to encompass the whole of creation . . . A Word hath, as a

token of Our grace, gone forth from the Most Great Tablet--a Word

which God hath adorned with the ornament of His own Self, . . . He is

the most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and

through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. Whoso turneth towards

Him hath turned towards God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath

turned away from My Beauty, hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed

against Me. He is the Trust of God amongst you, His charge within you,

His manifestation unto you and His appearance among His favored

servants . . . (Tablet of the Branch, World

Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 135)

explain infallibility

immunity to spiritual disease of sin perfect

Two Kinds of Infallibility

innate: intrinsic essential like the sun Manifestations are

omniscient

acquired: either by being conferred or learned not intrinsic

learned A.B. gives the example of a Dr.

(any profession, art or trade etc. can acquire Infallibility in their work,

its not from God)

Dr. has to study for many years, then pass state board exam, intern under

supervision,

then on their own, but their infallibility isn't automatic or guaranteed

conferred means protection and guidance

comes from the Manifestation through the Covenant

explain power lines, sub-station, transformer (house voltage is 120/240)

etc.

explain sphere of infallibilities of `Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi

they were for a transitional period,

people not ready for full truth, some of what they gave is for exigencies

of the time

God hath, verily, decreed the station of the great Branch next to that of the

most great Branch.

explain branches great = M.Ali and greatest = A.B.

Shoghi Effendi said that the Arabic was "beneath" not "next to" (quote12)

difference in stations

what A.B. gives is counted as part of the Revelation, for instance he

revealed prayers

Verily He is the wise ordainer. We have chosen el-Akbar after the el'A'sam, as

a command on the part of God, the all-knowing, the omniscient.

el- Akbar = Great el- Asam = Most Great

first 'Abdu'l-Baha and afterwards Muhammad-Ali

All must regard the other Branches with affection, but God hath not decreed unto

them any right to the people's property.

explain what is meant by "people's property"

other branches: cannot collect huq. ie are not in line for Kingship

(have them read last few passages in group or else privately, contingent on time

factor)

1892 COVENANT TAKES EFFECT

Opposition of M. Ali

no other sons have share, Muh.-Ali thinks `Abdu'l-Baha's hands were tied

talks against Kitab-i-Ahd explain conversation (Muh.-Ali wants to rule

jointly etc.)

force cut off=spirit cut off connection to it is Covenant only

so when Muh.-Ali went against Covenant the connection was severed

explain Muh.-Ali's attacks on `Abdu'l-Baha

accuses `Abdu'l-Baha of treason to Ottoman Empire (explain)

Muh.-Ali accused `Abdu'l-Baha of: Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation

Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God, ere the expiration

of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a lying impostor.

We pray God that He may graciously assist him to retract and repudiate

such claim. Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If,

however, he persisteth in his error, God will, assuredly, send down

one who will deal mercilessly with him. Terrible, indeed, is God in

punishing! Whosoever interpreteth this verse otherwise than its

obvious meaning is deprived of the Spirit of God and of His mercy

which encompasseth all created things. Fear God, and follow not your

idle fancies. Nay, rather, follow the bidding of your Lord, the

Almighty, the All-Wise. Baha'u'llah (The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p.

32)

Muh.-Ali contrived this as an excuse to attack `Abdu'l-Baha (explain)

Why does this not apply to 'Abdu'l-Baha? `Abdu'l-Baha doesn't lay claim

to a Rev.

Aqdas inviolate cannot be altered except by next Manifestation (quote13)

`Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi don't bring anything new

Muh.-Ali removed as a CB

page 9 of the Will and Testament decrees that Muh.-Ali is cut off due to

his covenant- breaking (quotes14) 'Abdu'l-Baha explains that Muh.-Ali is a

fallen branch that has been cut off from the Holy Tree

you might ask what right does `Abdu'l-Baha have to "change" his Father's

Covenant?

he explains that this is in accordance with the permission of God which he

cites on page 6

But does this mean that God changed His mind, or changed His Covenant or

that His Covenant wasn't fulfilled? this is the theology of the CBs that God

changes His mind

Covenant breaking theology

Baha'i World Faith published a book on the Covenant

Taherzadeh Covenant Theology, page 131-33 (quote15)

"We may ask ourselves two questions. Why did the provision in Baha'u'llah's Book

of the Covenant for Mirza Muhammad-Ali's successorship not materialize, and why

did Baha'u'llah grant such an exalted station to so perfidious a person?"

So we can see they are addressing this same subject. We won't read all

of this but next they give a quote which is their only attempt to

explain how the Covenant is fulfilled. Other than this they just

basically say its not fulfilled. The nature of the quote is that it

explains the force of the Revelation.

". . . we can be assured that due to the creative power of the word of God every

event Baha'u'llah has foreshadowed in His Tablets has either taken place

already, or will come about in the future."

But if we look at the situation of Muh.-Ali we can see that this does

not apply. He did not fulfill his station in the past, he doesn't

fulfill it in the next life and he isn't going to come back again to

fulfill it in the future.

"Indeed, a careful study of His Writings reveals that many of His promises have

been fulfilled. However, there are exceptions to this, and these are related to

the subject of the Covenant. The appointment of Mirza Muhammad-Ali in the Kitab-

i-Ahd is one of these exceptions, whereby Baha'u'llah's purpose, His implied

wish, appeared not to materialize."

Because of their Covenant-breaking they have become apostate and wrong

ideas are creeping in. Here they say that there are exceptions to

Baha'u'llah's promises being fulfilled and that these exceptions

relate to the Covenant. Also, they differentiate between the will of

Baha'u'llah and the will of God. As if when the time comes for God to

send a Manifestation to earth He just looks down upon the planet to

find one that fits the bill and says "Hey you! You're smart enough,

I'll make you my Messenger." Like Baha'u'llah is just a philosopher or

something.

"The main reason for the non-fulfillment of certain provisions of this momentous

document, is that this Covenant, like any covenant, is a reciprocal agreement

between two parties. In this case one party is Baha'u'llah, and the other, His

followers. In general, the outcome of any agreement between two parties depends

upon the manner in which each party fulfills his commitments. If one side fails

to carry out his obligations as set out in the contract, the other side will no

longer be bound to honour his."

So they finally admit were talking about God here.

But what kind of god are they praying to?

a "they didn't hold up their end so I'm off the hook" type god?

"Covenant not fulfilled" but Psalm 89 says: God will punish but not change

His mind (quote16)

If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my

ordinances, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my

commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and

their iniquity with scourges; but I will not remove from him my

steadfast love, or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my

covenant, or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all

I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His line shall

endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me, like the moon

it shall be established for ever; it shall stand firm while the skies

endure. (Psalms 89:30-37)

continuing with the CB theologies:

"For example, let us say that a landlord and a tenant draw up a lease. As long

as the tenant pays his rent and meets his other responsibilities, the landlord

has no reason to cancel the contract, but if the former fails to discharge his

liabilities, the latter will have no choice but to cancel the lease and possibly

institute eviction proceedings!"

landlord doesn't burn down house vacancy but house is still there

vacancy to be filled

"The Covenant of Baha'u'llah as formulated in the Kitab-i-Ahd also has two

distinct sides. One side is the Almighty, who provides the spiritual energies

for the achievement of His purpose, and who rules over His creatures. The other

side is His servants, the recipients of His grace, who abide by His bidding.

This Covenant necessitates an interaction between the two parties. As in the

analogy of the landlord and the tenant, if the followers of Baha'u'llah, the

recipients of His grace, had faithfully carried out what was expected of them in

this Covenant, then every provision of the Kitab-i-Ahd would have been fulfilled

and the plan of God, as ordained by Baha'u'llah, would have materialized. But

they did not the Covenant was broken by no less a person than Mirza Muhammad-Ali

himself, who rose up against the Centre of the Cause. Consequently, the plan of

God as envisaged by Baha'u'llah was changed, . . ."

see, they say it was changed, like Baha'u'llah made a mistake

". . . and Shoghi Effendi, the eldest grandson of 'Abdu'l-Baha, was appointed as

Guardian of the Faith to succeed Him."

This is the only thing we agree with them on, but they don't say the

Covenant was fulfilled in this manner.

"The same argument may hold for the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha in which

the question of a successor to Shoghi Effendi did not materialize."

precedent = excuse

because they are in violation of the Will and Testament

they need to show it was already unfulfilled in order to show that they

aren't guilty

It was a Test

Did Baha'u'llah not know that Muh.-Ali would violate?

Did Jesus know Judas would violate? (yes)

Then why did He appoint Judas?

Jesus said "iniquities must come, but woe betide them by whom they come."

Judas was the volunteer.

Baha'u'llah knew (10 Days Light of Akka)

not literal interpretation question own understanding these are tests

to the believers

Test clauses in the Covenant

COVENANT FULFILLED

GRAFTING IN

(quote17)

Consider! The Divine Gardener cuts off the dry or weak branch from

the good tree and grafts to it, a branch from another tree. He both

separates and unites. This is that which His Holiness Christ says:

that from all the world they come and enter the Kingdom, and the

children of the Kingdom shall be cast out.

`Abdu'l-Baha (Master's Last Tablet to America,

Baha'i World Faith, p. 438)

Shoghi Effendi

Shoghi Effendi is "Chosen Branch" so why didn't Baha'u'llah just appoint SE

to begin with?

Shoghi Effendi wasn't born until 1897, five years after Baha'u'llah died.

He couldn't have named him because then everyone would have been naming

their kids "Shoghi Effendi" more importantly, that would make Shoghi

Effendi part of the greater Covenant and not part of the lesser Covenant

having to do with the administration.

But He knew of the coming of SE so He provided a slot for SE that would be

left vacant.

(Muhammad-Ali was the volunteer to leave it vacant)

explain genealogy of Shoghi Effendi

Shoghi Effendi has a unique genealogy he's descended from both the Bab

and Baha.

his mother was `Abdu'l-Baha's oldest daughter--Dahiyyih, so he is a direct

descendent of Baha'u'llah

his father was a cousin of the Bab--Mirza Hadi Afnan, so he is also a

collateral descendent of the Bab (Shoghi Effendi's great-grandfather was the

Bab's brother-in-law)

the Bab didn't have any direct descendants as His only child died in

infancy

so the Bab's relatives through his wife and his mother are counted as his

desc.

like the Bab, they are directly descended from Muhammad through Fatima and

the 12 Imams

these collateral relatives of the Bab are designated with the word "Afnan"

O Afnan, O thou that has branched from Mine ancient Stock! My glory

and My loving-kindness rest upon thee. . . . Thy day of service is now

come. Countless Tablets bear the testimony of the bounties vouchsafed

unto thee.

(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 84) (quote18)

this shows Baha'u'llah anticipated that a child would be born who would be

descended from both the Bab and Himself and that this one would lead the

Faith

this was God's Plan all along not accidental God doesn't make it up as

we go along

'Abdu'l-Baha said it was a well kept secret (quote19)

but only male-line can inherit throne of David

Shoghi Effendi doesn't inherit Kingship two graftings in

Mason Remey Adoption

'Abdu'l-Baha adopted a son

Baha'u'llah commanded in the Aqdas that we should obey the laws of the land

we lived in

before WWI Palestine was a province of the Ottoman Empire

according to their law if you wanted to adopt a son you wouldn't go into a

court and file papers like in the West

you would publicly proclaim that this person was your son and then he would

accept this and then you would give him a token to seal the agreement,

(this would be a token of the inheritance such as a clod of earth if the

inheritance was a piece of land) and then this adopted son would have all the

rights of a natural-born son

if you were King the one you were adopting would have the right to inherit

that Kingship just like a natural-born son

this is what 'Abdu'l-Baha did he made a public proclamation to the

Baha'is that Charles Mason Remey was his son this was in a Baha'i

periodical of the time "Star of the West" which was published both in America

and in the Mid-East

in Volume 10, #8, page 144 and in Volume 11, #13 page 229 of that newspaper

'Abdu'l-Baha addresses Mason as "O my dear son!" and "O thou enlightened

beloved son!"

so Mason inherited the Throne of David from `Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi

did not

in addition to this it was recorded in a book written by one of the early

believers that 'Abdu'l-Baha sent a message to Mason saying,

(quote20)

You are very dear to me. You are so dear that I think of you day and

night. You are my real son. Therefore I have an idea for you. I hope

it may come to pass.

`Abdu'l-Baha (Diary of Juliet Thompson,

p. 71)

'Abdu'l-Baha was hoping that the UHJ would come into existence in Masons

lifetime so that

Mason would be the head of it the hereditary president this

president is not elected

Token

'Abdu'l-Baha had a token for Mason to seal the agreement but this was not

given until after 'Abdu'l-Baha died in March of 1922 Shoghi Effendi

passed on the token

it was an envelope inside of which was another envelope containing the

token

on the outside envelope in Shoghi Effendi's handwriting was this note,

(quotes21)

Of all the remnants of Baha'u'llah's all-sacred Person, the most

hallowed, the most precious, confidently delivered into the hands of

my brother and co-worker in the Cause of God, Mr. Remey. Shoghi

March 1922

there were other sacred relics but Shoghi Effendi said that, of all

the remnants, this is the most hallowed, most precious

(the CBs try to say "so what, so-and-so has ABs robe or Bs shoes" etc.

but this is part of Baha'u'llah's physical person and SE said this was

the most hallowed, the most precious)

on the inside envelope, which was sealed closed with a blob of wax, was

handwritten,

Coagulated drops of Baha'u'llah's all-Sacred Blood and Ringlets of His

Most Blessed Locks presented as my most precious possession to 'Abdu'l-

Baha's 'dear son' Mr. Charles Mason Remey as a token of my Baha'i

affection and brotherly love.

Shoghi

so Shoghi Effendi knew that Mason was 'Abdu'l-Baha's son

this token has an important symbolism

the blood = the bloodline (sacred/hallowed) and the hair = head

(precious/blessed)

the bloodline is that of the royal line of Kings from David

the head is the headship of the UHJ

Mason was adopted into the Covenant to David that 'Abdu'l-Baha inherited

from Baha'u'llah

in the Covenant to David (Psalm 89) God promised that David would never

lack for a descendent to be king and that the throne, the institution of

this kingship, would always last

blood = bloodline = descendent hair = headship = throne

(it is always recorded in this order: note Shoghi Effendi's wording--blood

then hair)

Kings are to serve as the president of the UHJ

explain significance by this King God's UHJ can be distinguished from

false ones

Departure of Kingship from Genetic Line

Shiloh prophecy make sure they know its from King James Version

(quote22)

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between

his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the

people be. (Genesis 49:10)

(RSV reads: . . . nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, .

. . )

this scepter or rulers staff is that of the Kingship King David was of

the tribe of Judah

"between his feet" is one Hebrew word meaning "between the legs" the

reproductive organs

meaning that it will eventually pass from the genetic line of Judah/King

David

the Bible doesn't say that it will come to an end but that it will pass

from the genetic line

it says this will happen when Shiloh comes Shiloh alive in world at this

time

before the Ark of the Covenant was at Jerusalem it was kept at Shiloh

Shiloh is associated with the Covenant

this is why B. said none of the other sons had a share in this

it was to depart from the genetic line

Significance of this

with this Kingship being in a line of adoption it opens it up to all the

peoples of the world Mason was an American (America is the "great melting-

pot") and so you could be African

or Chinese or Spanish or whatever and be adopted into this Kingship

this makes it universal, it is a universal kingship not reserved for one

family only

it doesn't arise out of the monarchy of any particular nation it is non-

partisan

it's not elitist or attached to any particular family or people,

it's neither of the East or the West

it's attached only to Baha'u'llah and His Kingdom

it's a universal kingship, given to us by God

and this is absolutely necessary as it is to be the hereditary president of

a Universal government the same Kingdom of God on Earth, that Jesus told

us to pray for!

the World Order of Baha'u'llah

Dichotomy

Shoghi Effendi did not inherit the throne

this creates a dichotomy with Shoghi Effendi being the infallible head of

the Faith and Mason being the future president or head of the UHJ, seated

on the throne of David

so the Kings are separate from the infallibility they do not inherit it

Baha'u'llah didn't reveal a long line of spiritual dictators to run the

planet

after SE the infallibility, the Divine Guidance, goes to the UHJ

PROPHECY

There are prophecies that these two parts of the Covenant will be re-

joined.

Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel 37 prophesies that the Covenant to Joseph and the Covenant to

Judah will be joined together into one Covenant by which God will shepherd

His people.

Revelation 21

'Abdu'l-Baha was asked about the 21st chapter of Revelation where it

mentions a measuring rod of gold. He explains that this is formed by

a rod of wood and a rod of iron that are together transformed into one

rod of gold.

2 Covenants for 2 family lineages

wood = judah = Davidic Kingship

iron = joseph = multitudes of nations

wood is from trees which leave seeds so it symbolizes the hereditary

principle

iron does not leave seeds but must be extracted, it symbolizes the election

process

Shoghi Effendi is the first measuring rod of gold

any plan which does not measure up to Shoghi Effendi's plan is not the true

plan

ENDNOTES PART I

_______________________________

1. Verily, God effecteth that which He pleaseth; naught can annul His

Covenant; naught can obstruct His favor nor oppose His Cause! He doeth with His

will that which pleaseth Him and He is powerful over all things!

'Abdu'l-Baha (Wellspring of Guidance, Mss. 1963-68, p. 52)

The Cause of God, all deeds and words, are held within the grasp of His power.

'All things lie imprisoned within the hollow of His mighty Hand; all things are

easy and possible unto Him.' He accomplisheth whatsoever He willeth, and doeth

all that He desireth. 'Whoso sayeth 'why' or 'wherefore' hath spoken blasphemy!'

Baha'u'llah (Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 170-171)

Nothing whatsoever in the whole of creation can thwart His Purpose. Cast away,

therefore, the mere conceit thou dost follow, for mere conceit can never take

the place of truth. (Gleanings from

the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 220)

2. And yet, how often has the pen of Baha'u'llah assured us that "should a

man, all alone, arise in the name of Baha, and put on the armor of His love, him

will the Almighty cause to be victorious, though the forces of earth and heaven

be arrayed against him." Has He not written: "By God, besides Whom is none

other God! Should anyone arise for the triumph of our Cause, him will God

render victorious though tens of thousands of enemies be leagued against him.

And if his love for me wax stronger, God will establish his ascendancy over all

the powers of earth and heaven." Shoghi Effendi, quoting

Baha'u'llah (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 57)

These souls are the armies of God and the conquerors of the East and the West.

Should one of them turn his face toward some direction and summon the people to

the Kingdom of God, all the ideal forces and lordly confirmations will rush to

his support and reinforcement. He will behold all the doors open and all the

strong fortifications and impregnable castles razed to the ground. Singly and

alone he will attack the armies of the world, defeat the right and left wings of

the hosts of all the countries, break through the lines of the legions of all

the nations and carry his attack to the very center of the powers of the earth.

This is the meaning of the Hosts of God.

`Abdu'l-Baha (Tablets of the Divine Plan, p.

49-50)

Such must be your constancy that should the evil-wishers put every believer to

death and only one remain, that one, singly and alone, will withstand all the

peoples of the earth, and will go on scattering far and wide the sweet and holy

fragrances of God.

(Selections from the Writing of `Abdu'l-Baha,

p. 78-79)

The triumphant hosts of the Celestial Concourse, arrayed and marshalled in the

Realms above, stand ready and expectant to assist and assure victory to that

valiant horseman who with confidence spurs on his charger into the arena of

service. Well is it with that fearless warrior, who armed with the power of

true Knowledge, hastens unto the field, disperses the armies of ignorance, and

scatters the hosts of error, who holds aloft the Standard of Divine Guidance,

and sounds the Clarion of Victory. By the righteousness of the Lord! He hath

achieved a glorious triumph and obtained the true victory.

(Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, p. 264)

3. . . . this Covenant is the Ancient Covenant, the Illuminator of the

horizons. The armies of the Kingdom are the protectors of this foundation. . . .

It is the Testament and the Covenant and it is mentioned in all the tablets and

in all the early Books and in the later tablets. . . . It is the holy fragrance

of His Holiness, the Creator, and the Breaths of Life of the garden of the

Creator. It is the strong fortress; therefore it is a sure shelter for all

created beings, and in brief, it is the sum of all the sacred writings, ancient

and modern! 'Abdu'l-Baha (Star of the West, Volume 8, #16, p. 213-14)

4. In the prophecy for Baha'u'llah, in Isaiah it says, For to us a child is

born, to us a son is given; . . . and his name will be called . . . Everlasting

Father . . . upon the throne of David . . .

(Isaiah 9:6-7, RSV)

also Shoghi Effendi, in Lights of Guidance, p. 474 (#1159) states, Regarding

your question concerning the Jesse from whom Baha'u'llah is descended: The

Master says in 'Some Answered Questions' referring to Isaiah, chapter 11, verses

1 to 10, that these verses apply 'Word for word to Baha'u'llah;. He then

identifies this Jesse as the father of David in the following words: '...for

Joseph was of the descendants of Jesse the father of David...', thus identifying

the Jesse of Isaiah, chapter 11, with being the father of David. Baha'u'llah is

thus the descendant of Jesse, the father of David.

5. The Most Great Law is come, and the Ancient Beauty ruleth upon the throne

of David. Thus hath My Pen spoken that which the histories of bygone ages have

related.

(Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 89)

6. Through Him ['Abdu'l-Baha] the Covenant, that "excellent and priceless

Heritage" bequeathed by the Author of the Baha'i Revelation, had been

proclaimed, championed and vindicated.

Shoghi Effendi (God Passes By, p. 314)

7. The third principle of Baha'u'llah is: Religion should be the Cause of Love

and Affection Religion should unite all hearts and cause wars and disputes to

vanish from the face of the earth, give birth to spirituality, and bring life

and light to each heart. If religion becomes a cause of dislike, hatred and

division, it were better to be without it, and to withdraw from such a religion

would be a truly religious act. For it is clear that the purpose of a remedy is

to cure; but if the remedy should only aggravate the complaint it had better be

left alone. Any religion which is not a cause of love and unity is no religion.

All the holy prophets were as doctors to the soul; they gave prescriptions for

the healing of mankind; thus any remedy that causes disease does not come from

the great and supreme Physician. `Abdu'l-Baha (Paris Talks, p. 130)

8. The fifteenth Glad-Tidings Although a republican form of government

profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of

the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain

deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will

be their reward in the presence of God. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 28)

According to the fundamental laws which We have formerly revealed in the

Kitab-i-Aqdas and other Tablets, all affairs are committed to the care of just

kings and presidents and of the Trustees of the House of Justice. Having

pondered on that which We have enunciated, every man of equity and discernment

will readily perceive, with his inner and outer eyes, the splendours of the

day-star of justice which radiate there from. The system of government which

the British people have adopted in London appeareth to be good, for it is

adorned with the light of both kingship and of the consultation of the people.

(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 92-93)

The state is, moreover, based upon two potent forces, the legislative and the

executive. The focal center of the executive power is the government, while

that of the legislative is the learned . . .

'Abdu'l-Baha (Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 37)

9. Thirteenth Glad-Tidings The men of God's House of Justice have been

charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God

among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.

(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 26-27)

Eighth Ishraq This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted

as part of the Most Holy Book: The men of God's House of Justice have been

charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God

among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.

(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 128)

10. It is incumbent upon the Trustees of the House of Justice to take counsel

together regarding those things which have not outwardly been revealed in the

Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them. God will verily inspire

them with whatsoever He willeth, and He, verily, is the Provider, the

Omniscient. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 68)

Those words uttered by the Luminaries of Truth must needs be pondered, and

should their significance be not grasped, enlightenment should be sought from

the Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge, that these may expound their

meaning, and unravel their mystery.

(Kitab-i-Iqan, p.

181-182)

11. There hath branched from the Sadratu'l-Muntaha this sacred and glorious

Being, this Branch of Holiness; well is it with him that hath sought His shelter

and abideth beneath His shadow. Verily, the Limb of the Law of God hath sprung

forth from this Root which God hath firmly implanted in the Ground of His Will,

and Whose Branch hath been so uplifted as to encompass the whole of creation . .

. A Word hath, as a token of Our grace, gone forth from the Most Great Tablet--a

Word which God hath adorned with the ornament of His own Self, . . . He is the

most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him

every mouldering bone is quickened. Whoso turneth towards Him hath turned

towards God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from My Beauty,

hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed against Me. He is the Trust of God

amongst you, His charge within you, His manifestation unto you and His

appearance among His favored servants . . .

(Tablet of the Branch, as quoted by Shoghi Effendi, World Order

of Baha'u'llah, p. 135)

12. In this weighty and incomparable Document its Author . . . ordains the

station of the "Greater Branch" (Mirza Muhammad-'Ali) to be beneath that of the

"Most Great Branch" (Abdu'l-Baha); . . . Shoghi Effendi (God

Passes By, p. 237-240)

13. Concerning the Manifestations that will come down in the future `in the

shadows of the clouds,' know verily," is His significant statement, "that in so

far as their relation to the source of their inspiration is concerned they are

under the shadow of the Ancient Beauty. In their relation, however, to the age

in which they appear, each and every one of them `doeth whatsoever He willeth.'

`Abdu'l-Baha, as quoted by Shoghi Effendi (God Passes By, p. 99)

14. In short, O ye beloved of the Lord! The Center of Sedition, Mirza Muhammad

Ali, in accordance with the decisive words of God and by reason of his boundless

transgression, hath grievously fallen and been cut off from the Holy Tree.

Verily, we wronged them not, but they have wronged themselves!

(Will and Testament, p. 9)

None other transgression greater than his can be ever imagined. He

(Baha'u'llah) sayeth, glorious and holy is His Word: - "My foolish loved ones

have regarded him even as my partner, have kindled sedition in the land and they

verily are of the mischief-makers." Consider, how foolish are the people! They

that have been in His (Baha'u'llah's) Presence and beheld His Countenance, have

nevertheless noised abroad such idle talk, until, exalted be His explicit words,

He said: - "Should he for a moment pass out from under the shadow of the Cause,

he surely shall be brought to naught." Reflect! What stress He layeth upon one

moment's deviation: that is, were he to incline a hair's breadth to the right

or to the left, his deviation would be clearly established and his utter

nothingness made manifest. (Will and Testament, p.

15. The Covenant-breakers explanation:

"We may ask ourselves two questions. Why did the provision in Baha'u'llah's Book

of the Covenant for Mirza Muhammad-Ali's successorship not materialize, and why

did Baha'u'llah grant such an exalted station to so perfidious a person? . . .

we can be assured that due to the creative power of the word of God every event

Baha'u'llah has foreshadowed in His Tablets has either taken place already, or

will come about in the future. Indeed, a careful study of His Writings reveals

that many of His promises have been fulfilled. However, there are exceptions to

this, and these are related to the subject of the Covenant. The appointment of

Mirza Muhammad-Ali in the Kitab-i-Ahd is one of these exceptions, whereby

Baha'u'llah's purpose, His implied wish, appeared not to materialize.

The main reason for the non-fulfillment of certain provisions of this momentous

document, is that this Covenant, like any covenant, is a reciprocal agreement

between two parties. In this case one party is Baha'u'llah, and the other, His

followers. In general, the outcome of any agreement between two parties depends

upon the manner in which each party fulfills his commitments. If one side fails

to carry out his obligations as set out in the contract, the other side will no

longer be bound to honour his. For example, let us say that a landlord and a

tenant draw up a lease. As long as the tenant pays his rent and meets his other

responsibilities, the landlord has no reason to cancel the contract, but if the

former fails to discharge his liabilities, the latter will have no choice but to

cancel the lease and possibly institute eviction proceedings!

The Covenant of Baha'u'llah as formulated in the Kitab-i-Ahd also has two