at the end of Daniel's
visions the seer was told:--

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to
the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
shall be increased.... And I heard, but I understood not: then
said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he
said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed
till the time of the end.--Daniel xii, 4-9.

If God sealed up the prophecies until the appointed time, and did not
fully reveal the interpretation even to the prophets who uttered them, we
may expect that none but the appointed Messenger of God will be able to
break the seal and disclose the meanings concealed in the casket of the
prophetic parables. Reflection on the history of prophecies and their
misinterpretation in previous ages and dispensations, combined with the
solemn warnings of the prophets themselves, should render us very chary of
accepting the speculations of theologians as to the real meaning of these
utterances and the manner of their fulfillment. On the other hand, when
someone appears who claims to fulfill the prophecies, it is important that
we examine his claim with open, unprejudiced minds. Should he be an
impostor, the fraud will soon be discovered and no harm will be done, but
woe to all who carelessly turn God's Messenger from the door because He
comes in an unexpected form or time.

The life and utterances of Baha'u'llah testify that He is the Promised One
of all the Holy Books, Who has the power to break the seals of the
prophecies and to pour forth the "Sealed choice wine" of the divine
mysteries. Let us hasten, then, to hear His explanations and to reexamine
in their light the familiar but often mysterious words spoken by the
prophets of old.

The Coming of the Lord

The "Coming of the Lord" in the "last days" is the one "far-off divine
event" to which all the Prophets look forward, about which Their most
glorious songs are sung. Now what is meant by the "Coming of the Lord"?
Surely God is at all times with His creatures, in all, through all, and
over all; "Closer is He than breathing, nearer than hands and feet." Yes,
but men cannot see or hear God immanent and transcendent, cannot realize
His Presence, until He reveals Himself through a visible form and talks to
them in human language. For the revelation of His higher attributes, God
has always made use of a human instrument. Each of