On the first day that the Ancient Beauty ascended His Most
Great Throne in the garden named Riḍván, the Tongue of Glory gave utterance to
three blessed words. First, that in this Revelation the law of the sword hath
been annulled.[1] Second, that ere the expiration of one thousand
years whosoever advanceth a prophetic claim is false. By “year” a full year is
intended, and no exegesis or interpretation is permitted in this matter. And
third, that at that very hour God, exalted be His Glory, shed the full
splendour of all His names upon all creation.
The following verse was revealed subsequently, but He
indicated that it should occupy the same station as the other three: that when
the name of anyone, whether living or dead, is mentioned in His presence, that
soul hath verily attained to the mention of the pre-existent King. Blessed are
they that attain thereto!
- Baha’u’llah (‘Days of Remembrance’)
[1] That is, jihad
