Paragraph 173

The mystery of this theme hath, in this Dispensation, been a sore test unto all mankind. Behold, how many are those who, clinging unto these words, have disbelieved Him Who is their true Revealer. What, We ask, could this people presume the terms “first” and “last”—when referring to God—glorified be His Name!—to mean? If they maintain that these terms bear reference to this material universe, how could it be possible, when the visible order of things is still manifestly existing. Nay, in this instance, by “first” is meant no other than the “last” and by “last” no other than the “first.”

Now we come to the thirteenth of thirty paragraphs looking at the first of the two stations of the Manifestations of God, that of "pure abstraction and essential unity". It's a good thing we're not superstitious. After all, it's bad luck to be superstitious.

He begins this one with the "mystery of this theme". Which theme? The "obvious" oneness of the Messengers. As the Universal House of Justice wrote, "While it is true to speak of the unity of all religions, understanding of the context is vital. At the deepest level, as Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes, there is but one religion. Religion is religion, as science is science." Here, in these thirty paragraphs, Baha'u'llah is emphasizing the oneness of the founders, too.

But He also says that it's a "sore test". Why? Well, we're not sure, but it seems like this is the main reason why there is so much dispute between faiths. Many see the founder they follow as unique, in competition with the other founders of other faiths. The followers seem to fall into the old "my founder is better than your founder" routine, never realizing the ridiculousness of it all.

Every one of these divine teachers comes from God. Every single one of them praises God. And their teachings, the teachings of each and every one of them, leads us closer to God. So, perhaps, the "true Revealer" would be that essence they all share, that absolute oneness that Baha'u'llah is discussing here. Remember, He also quoted the Qur'an where it says, "No distinction do We make between any of His Messengers".

Seeing as this is a test, it would probably be a good idea to go back to Part One and look again at the concept of tests. Over and over He talks about how there are many tests facing humanity when it comes to religion, and this is but another one. Remember, He did say "the changes brought about in every Dispensation constitute the dark clouds that intervene between the eye of man’s understanding and the divine Luminary", and the changing of the name of the founder is a great change.

Now, as far as the whole "first" and "last" issue, if we believe God exists beyond this material universe, then the whole concept of time, in relation to God, is absurd. And if time, in relation to God, is absurd, how much moreso the ideas of "first" and "last"? When looking at it all from the standpoint of beyond time, then they would all be synonymous. First and last would be indistinguishable.

However, we are living within the confines of time, so this can be very confusing for us. Maybe that just adds to why this is a "sore test".

But here Baha'u'llah comes to our rescue. He graciously gives us the answer when He says:

Nay, in this instance, by “first” is meant no other than the “last” and by “last” no other than the “first.”

If we take the time to ponder this, to meditate on it, and think about that overall essential unity of all the Messengers, then it begins to become clearer. But, if you're like us, it's still difficult to grasp.

Fortunately, over the next few paragraphs, it will become even more clear.