The mystery of this theme [Muhammad the Seal of Prophets]
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.”
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
