D
daler
Guest
Nmgauss,
Understand that the Cycle of the Furqan has ended. Its duration was 1260 years. Now, with hindsight, we can look upon it and see where the pieces fit together.
This is not a bias “for” the Shi’ites of today, for that cup is old and rusty now, having served its purpose. The water of Revelation has passed from that cup and the Fountain Itself gushes forth the Water of Life. In the Bible, there are references to a “thousand years”. In the Quran there is a verse about the Day which shall last a thousand years.
Some Answered Questions, by Abdul Baha explains some of this. The essential comparison is that the time, times, and a half (360 + 720 + 180 = 1260), the 42 months (42 X 30 = 1260), and the three and one half days (3 1/2 X 360 = 1260) all point to the same thing. That there was a duration of the Imamate which lasted for 260 years, followed by “day which lasted 1000 years” equalling 1260 years, intersects with the Biblical prophecies of 1260 years. This confirms the Shi’ite position where Ali is concerned, if one will accept it on principal. There are numerous other “proofs” which are required to fill in the dots, but these will suffice for some of the primary time prophecies.
The psychology of the Idolators was fixed upon the material world, rather than the spiritual. They had not arisen above the earthly plane of treasure seeking and leadership. It is as though an addict has returned to his addiction. So long as Muhammad was alive, they could not regain their temporal authority. He had entered the Ka’aba, destroyed their Idols, even as Jesus went into the Temple and kicked over the money changer’s tables. “Not in My Father’s House!”
Upon the death of the Prophet, there was uncertainty among the followers, and an opportunity arose. As Muhammad had left no written appointment (for He was illiterate), and He knew His death was imminent, He orally stated that Ali was to succeed in the position of Authority. Even Umar admitted this, but he said of the Prophet, “He was ill, and did not know what He was saying.” The rest is history, and was actually foreordained by the Will of God, as evidenced in the Book of Revelation.
Again, as there is not room to write (or rewrite) such evidences and rational proofs in the limited space of this Forum, please refer to Some Answered Questions, by Abdul Baha. Another incredibly well and thorough research of prophecy primarily from the Christian perspective is a book entitled “I Shall Come Again”, by Hushidar Motlagh. One can read these with objective eyes, hold honestly their skepticism, and form their own conclusions. It cannot, of course, be accepted otherwise, than through independent investigation of truth, one of the fundamental tenants of the Baha’i Faith.
I hope this helps. Thank you for your sober judgment.