Paragraph 218

They that valiantly labor in quest of God will, when once they have renounced all else but Him, be so attached and wedded to that City that a moment’s separation from it would to them be unthinkable. They will hearken unto infallible proofs from the Hyacinth of that assembly, and receive the surest testimonies from the beauty of its Rose and the melody of its Nightingale. Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and readorned.

He began this section on the true seeker by describing our internal state, and then our actions. He reminded us of the object of our quest and gave us a glimpse of where are going. He spoke about what we will discover when we get there, this "City of Certitude", and the miracles we will encounter within it. Now He is ready to speak of our attachment to it, once we've attained.

This paragraph, short though it is, contains numerous references to other aspects of the Writings.

We'll start with the idea that we are labouring valiantly. We're not just doing a bit of work. We're struggling, striving with great determination and showing tremendous courage. Just a couple of paragraphs ago, He spoke of our search with phrases such as "earnest striving... longing desire... passionate devotion... fervid love... rapture, and ecstasy". It implies a phenomenal effort, and great dedication.

But all of this is predicated on "detachment from all else save Him". From the very beginning of the book He has continually reminded us of this, beginning with that oft-mentioned phrase from paragraph 1, that we need to "be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth".

If we succeed in this detachment, then we will be unable to even think about leaving that "City". With the benefit of having read the next paragraph already, we know that this City is the eternal religion of God, and the use of the word "wedded" here reminds us of the importance of interfaith. Baha'u'llah says that we are to "consort with the followers of all religions". Consort, of course, means more than just hanging out with. As a verb, it means to habitually be with, typically with the disapproval of others. As a noun, a consort is a spouse, literally wedded to. By reminding us of this in this manner, He is also referring to the Eternal Covenant found in all religions.

The nature metaphors here are also rich.

In the previous paragraph we encountered various things we will see in this city, from the blades of grass to the nightingales that sing their melody on every rosebush. We encountered the tulips and the "sweet savors" of this city.

In this paragraph Baha'u'llah adds in the hyacinth and the rose. And just to be clear, the previous paragraph referred to the nightingales that were on the rose. Here it's the roses, upon which sit those birds. Same image, different focus.

Grass speaks to the widespread nature of these "mysteries of inscrutable wisdom", and the melodies imply that you are aware of it from beyond the line of sight.

The tulips are indicative that it is spring, for those flowers are the herald of the season to come, the promise of something great.

As for those "sweet savors of holiness", it is a scent that is "pleasing unto the Lord" and speaks to the devotion of those that reside in, or even just visit, that City. It lets us know that this is a holy city.

The Burning Bush and the Messianic Spirit bring to mind both Moses and Jesus, foreshadowing the revelation that this all refers to "the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation", as mentioned in the next paragraph. We don't often jump ahead in our study, but here we feel we have no choice.

Hyacinths are a metaphor for wisdom, while roses are often used to refer to the spiritual realms.

It ends with the simple statement that this City is "renewed and readorned" on a regular basis, namely every thousand years or so.

As this City is being likened to the Word of God, what does it mean that it is "renewed and readorned"?

Imagine a house. Over time it needs to undergo a bit of a renovation. Perhaps the walls need to be re-painted, or the windows redone. The bricks certainly need to be tuck-pointed on a regular basis, or they will begin to fall out. And it's the same thing with the furniture. That, too, needs to be fixed up on a regular basis. Even in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, He says that we "have been enjoined to renew the furnishings of your homes after the passing of each nineteen years."

We are not told that we have to move, or that we should buy a new house. No. We are told to fix up the old one. Keep it clean. He is "desirous of refinement", which is a form of beauty.

This City of God is the same City throughout history. It does not move. It is not torn down. It is just "renewed and readorned".

In terms of religion, this implies that the laws will be changed to reflect the needs of the day. It suggests that there will be change, but it will be a change that is beneficial to those that live there.

It is a succinct description of what 'Abdu'l-Baha later said:

Note thou carefully that in this world of being, all things must ever be made new. Look at the material world about thee, see how it hath now been renewed. The thoughts have changed, the ways of life have been revised, the sciences and arts show a new vigor, discoveries and inventions are new, perceptions are new. How then could such a vital power as religion—the guarantor of mankind’s great advances, the very means of attaining everlasting life, the fosterer of infinite excellence, the light of both worlds—not be made new? This would be incompatible with the grace and loving-kindness of the Lord.