aidan

Friends in all humility,I ask you to help me in my ignorance.What is a Manifestation of God.Is He more than human.What is His nature?

cire perdue

I will answer you as I understand, b/c I mostly want to hear others' thoughts.

The Manifestations are aptly represented as the second horizontal line in the ring symbol. They are closer to God than other men. They are physical embodiments of God or the Holy Spirit, They are as much of God as mankind can ever obtain. It is His Mercy to provide Them in this Form for us, b/c the Creator of the vast infinite physical universe is too far beyond us, as a human to a single cell is an example that is probably still too close. However Muhammad emphasized that He was but yet a man.

We are cautioned not to distinguish between Their stations, that the differences and limitations are due to the ability of mankind to comprehend the message. The revelation always advances mankind spiritually.

I believe They have the perception of everything. That knowledge may or may not be present all the days of Their earthly lives, but any needed knowledge is available. In Their presence we would be totally known. They are special all their lives, always a Vessel, though the revelation is revealed to Them at some point. The Bab dreamed of quaffing the blood of Husayn which is I think found only in the Dawnbreakers. They fulfill prophecies and the knowledge They is innate, not acquired.

The station is a burden as well. Baha'u'llah had retreats. He grew more majestic with age. To be in His presence was to be unable to look upon His face. Undoubtedly it would be painful to be among those who were unsure and ignorant and refusing this bounty from God.

Sign up for Pilgrimage. In '06 the wait was very short. You will be shown evidences of His earthly life. It is perplexing to face these facts. That is likely because of the mis perception of Christ that is infused into all of us in the West. It is freeing and a wonderful source of growth. Though for some their may be mental/spiritual fireworks, do not expect them. Don't test God. I had very moving experiences b/c their was a very special musician on Pilgrimage with me and his sung prayers will be with me all my life. I did not know it, but I had been very deeply touched to have met the Members of The House. I found out when I talked about that the first time and became tearful. That was a surprise, they are very special.

Ocean - World Religions Free Research Library
That is a link to the source to look up any Baha'i reference by one word. I think it used to use 2 words which I liked better. I have come late to researching things, and have used it more to look up thinks I already knew. It has to be downloaded. It's incredible......

BruceDLimber

And Aidan, you will also sometimes hear these Manifestations of God referred to as Divine Messengers.

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

Pollwr

To put things in very simple terms, the Manifestations of God, are the beings who's purpose is to share God's teachings for the age in which they live, with mankind. They are born like us and they seem to be people, like us but spiritually they are different. In some writings they are referred to as Prophets with a capital P (to be distinguished from prophets who just foretold things).

The coming of each Manifestation of God will have been foretold by the previous one, sometimes by others. They will reveal the teachings of God for that age. They re-establish spiritual principles, taught by other Manifestations and they may change the social laws. They start a new religion.

Here is a lengthy quotation

"The Bearers of the Trust of God are made manifest unto the peoples of the earth as the Exponents of a new Cause and the Revealers of a new Message. Inasmuch as these Birds of the celestial Throne are all sent down from the heaven of the Will of God, and as they all arise to proclaim His irresistible Faith, they, therefore, are regarded as one soul and the same person. For they all drink from the one Cup of the love of God, and all partake of the fruit of the same Tree of Oneness.

These Manifestations of God have each a twofold 51 station. One is the station of pure abstraction and essential unity. In this respect, if thou callest them all by one name, and dost ascribe to them the same attributes, thou hast not erred from the truth. Even as He hath revealed: "No distinction do We make between any of His Messengers." For they, one and all, summon the people of the earth to acknowledge the unity of God, and herald unto them the Kawthar of an infinite grace and bounty. They are all invested with the robe of prophethood, and are honored with the mantle of glory. Thus hath Muhammad, the Point of the Qur'án, revealed: "I am all the Prophets." Likewise, He saith: "I am the first Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus." Similar statements have been made by Imam Ali. Sayings such as these, which indicate the essential unity of those Exponents of Oneness, have also emanated from the Channels of God's immortal utterance, and the Treasuries of the gems of Divine knowledge, and have been recorded in the Scriptures. These Countenances are the recipients of the Divine Command, and the Day Springs of His Revelation. This Revelation is exalted above the veils of plurality and the exigencies of number. Thus He saith: "Our Cause is but One." Inasmuch as the Cause is one and the same, the Exponents thereof also must needs be one and the same. Likewise, the Imams of the Muhammadan Faith, those lamps of certitude, have said: "Muhammad is our first, Muhammad is our last, Muhammad our all." 52

It is clear and evident to thee that all the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause of God, Who have appeared clothed in divers attire. If thou wilt observe with discriminating eyes, thou wilt behold Them all abiding in the same tabernacle, soaring in the same heaven, seated upon the same throne, uttering the same speech, and proclaiming the same Faith. Such is the unity of those Essences of Being, those Luminaries of infinite and immeasurable splendor! Wherefore, should one of these Manifestations of Holiness proclaim saying: "I am the return of all the Prophets," He, verily, speaketh the truth. In like manner, in every subsequent Revelation, the return of the former Revelation is a fact, the truth of which is firmly established....

The other station is the station of distinction, and pertaineth to the world of creation, and to the limitations thereof. In this respect, each Manifestation of God hath a distinct individuality, a definitely prescribed mission, a predestined revelation, and specially designated limitations. Each one of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special attribute, fulfils a definite mission, and is entrusted with a particular Revelation. Even as He saith: "Some of the Apostles We have caused to excel the others. To some God hath spoken, some He hath raised and exalted. And to Jesus, Son of Mary, We gave manifest signs, and We strengthened Him with the Holy Spirit." 53

It is because of this difference in their station and mission that the words and utterances flowing from these Well Springs of Divine knowledge appear to diverge and differ. Otherwise, in the eyes of them that are initiated into the mysteries of Divine wisdom, all their utterances are, in reality, but the expressions of one Truth. As most of the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have referred, they, therefore, feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and the same.

It hath ever been evident that all these divergencies of utterance are attributable to differences of station. Thus, viewed from the standpoint of their oneness and sublime detachment, the attributes of Godhead, Divinity, Supreme Singleness, and Inmost Essence, have been, and are applicable to those Essences of Being, inasmuch as they all abide on the throne of Divine Revelation, and are established upon the seat of Divine Concealment. Through their appearance the Revelation of God is made manifest, and by their countenance the Beauty of God is revealed. Thus it is that the accents of God Himself have been heard uttered by these Manifestations of the Divine Being.

Viewed in the light of their second station -- the station of distinction, differentiation, temporal limitations, characteristics and standards -- they manifest absolute servitude, utter destitution, and complete 54 self-effacement. Even as He saith: "I am the servant of God. I am but a man like you."...

Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare: "I am God," He, verily, speaketh the truth, and no doubt attacheth thereto. For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their Revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His names and His attributes, are made manifest in the world. Thus, He hath revealed: "Those shafts were God's, not Thine." And also He saith: "In truth, they who plighted fealty unto Thee, really plighted that fealty unto God." And were any of them to voice the utterance, "I am the Messenger of God," He, also, speaketh the truth, the indubitable truth. Even as He saith: "Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but He is the Messenger of God." Viewed in this light, they are all but Messengers of that ideal King, that unchangeable Essence. And were they all to proclaim, "I am the Seal of the Prophets," they, verily, utter but the truth, beyond the faintest shadow of doubt. For they are all but one person, one soul, one spirit, one being, one revelation. They are all the manifestation of the "Beginning" and the "End," the "First" and the "Last," the "Seen" and the "Hidden" -- all of which pertain to Him Who is the Innermost Spirit of Spirits and Eternal Essence of Essences. And were they to say, "We are the Servants of God," this also is a manifest and indisputable fact. For they have been 55 made manifest in the uttermost state of servitude, a servitude the like of which no man can possibly attain. Thus in moments in which these Essences of Being were deep immersed beneath the oceans of ancient and everlasting holiness, or when they soared to the loftiest summits of Divine mysteries, they claimed their utterances to be the Voice of Divinity, the Call of God Himself.

Were the eye of discernment to be opened, it would recognize that in this very state, they have considered themselves utterly effaced and non-existent in the face of Him Who is the All-Pervading, the Incorruptible. Methinks, they have regarded themselves as utter nothingness, and deemed their mention in that Court an act of blasphemy. For the slightest whispering of self within such a Court is an evidence of self-assertion and independent existence. In the eyes of them that have attained unto that Court, such a suggestion is itself a grievous transgression. How much more grievous would it be, were aught else to be mentioned in that Presence, were man's heart, his tongue, his mind, or his soul, to be busied with any one but the Well-Beloved, were his eyes to behold any countenance other than His beauty, were his ear to be inclined to any melody but His Voice, and were his feet to tread any way but His way....

By virtue of this station they have claimed for themselves the Voice of Divinity and the like, whilst 56 by virtue of their station of Messengership, they have declared themselves the Messengers of God. In every instance they have voiced an utterance that would conform to the requirements of the occasion, and have ascribed all these declarations to Themselves, declarations ranging from the realm of Divine Revelation to the realm of creation, and from the domain of Divinity even unto the domain of earthly existence. Thus it is that whatsoever be their utterance, whether it pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship, Prophethood, Messengership, Guardianship, Apostleship, or Servitude, all is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Therefore these sayings which We have quoted in support of Our argument must be attentively considered, that the divergent utterances of the Manifestations of the Unseen and Day Springs of Holiness may cease to agitate the soul and perplex the mind.

XXIII. Consider the former generations. Witness how every time the Day Star of Divine bounty hath shed the light of His Revelation upon the world, the people of His Day have arisen against Him, and repudiated His truth. They who were regarded as the leaders of men have invariably striven to hinder their followers from turning unto Him Who is the Ocean of God's limitless bounty.

Behold how the people, as a result of the verdict pronounced by the divines of His age, have cast 57 Abraham, the Friend of God, into fire; how Moses, He Who held converse with the Almighty, was denounced as liar and slanderer. Reflect how Jesus, the Spirit of God, was, notwithstanding His extreme meekness and perfect tender-heartedness, treated by His enemies. So fierce was the opposition which He, the Essence of Being and Lord of the visible and invisible, had to face, that He had nowhere to lay His head. He wandered continually from place to place, deprived of a permanent abode. Ponder that which befell Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, may the life of all else be a sacrifice unto Him. How severe the afflictions which the leaders of the Jewish people and of the idol-worshipers caused to rain upon Him, Who is the sovereign Lord of all, in consequence of His proclamation of the unity of God and of the truth of His Message! By the righteousness of My Cause! My Pen groaneth, and all created things weep with a great weeping, as a result of the woes He suffered at the hands of them that have broken the Covenant of God, violated His Testament, rejected His proofs, and disputed His signs. Thus recount We unto thee the tale of that which happened in days past, haply thou mayest comprehend.

Thou hast known how grievously the Prophets of God, His Messengers and Chosen Ones, have been afflicted. Meditate a while on the motive and reason which have been responsible for such a persecution. At no time, in no Dispensation, have the Prophets of 58 God escaped the blasphemy of their enemies, the cruelty of their oppressors, the denunciation of the learned of their age, who appeared in the guise of uprightness and piety. Day and night they passed through such agonies as none can ever measure, except the knowledge of the one true God, exalted be His glory.

Consider this wronged One. Though the clearest proofs attest the truth of His Cause; though the prophecies He, in an unmistakable language, hath made have been fulfilled; though, in spite of His not being accounted among the learned, His being unschooled and inexperienced in the disputations current among the divines, He hath rained upon men the showers of His manifold and Divinely-inspired knowledge; yet, behold how this generation hath rejected His authority, and rebelled against Him! He hath, during the greater part of His life, been sore-tried in the clutches of His enemies. His sufferings have now reached their culmination in this afflictive Prison, into which His oppressors have so unjustly thrown Him. God grant that, with a penetrating vision and radiant heart, thou mayest observe the things that have come to pass and are now happening, and, pondering them in thine heart, mayest recognize that which most men have, in this Day, failed to perceive. Please God, He may enable thee to inhale the sweet fragrance of His Day, to partake of the limitless effusions of His grace, to quaff thy fill, 59 through His gracious favor, from the most great Ocean that surgeth in this Day in the name of the Ancient King, and to remain firm and immovable as the mountain in His Cause.

Say: Glory be to Thee Who hast caused all the holy Ones to confess their helplessness before the manifold revelations of Thy might, and every Prophet to acknowledge His nothingness at the effulgence of Thine abiding glory. I beseech Thee, by Thy name that hath unlocked the gates of Heaven and filled with ecstasy the Concourse on high, to enable me to serve Thee, in this Day, and to strengthen me to observe that which Thou didst prescribe in Thy Book. Thou knowest, O my Lord, what is in me; but I know not what is in Thee. Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed."

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 50)

aidan

and Jesus likewise said "I am the alpha and omega".Thank you so much dear brothers,at last my eyes are open and so is my heart and my soul.Amen Amen Aidan x

aidan

There is a lot of powerful prayerful work through this medium.The Holy Spirit moves us all at times like this

arthra

For me Julio Savi has written a very definitive work on the Baha'i concept of what is a Manifestation of God found in his

The Eternal Quest for God:
An Introduction to the Divine Philosophy of `Abdu'l-Bahá by
Julio Savi

The Eternal Quest for God: Chapter 6

Here is an excerpt from the chapter:

These personages are fundamentally different from the great heroes of history. They are characterized by two distinctive features:


Their teachings -- set forth by words and mostly in the form of one or more holy texts -- represent the essence of such spiritual laws as are fit for mankind in its specific stage of growth. In fact, when mankind complies with them, its spiritual, intellectual and social progress is realized. They are the `science of reality', says `Abdu'l-Bahá, `the greatest bestowal of God'; and He adds: `... the sphere of the divine teachings is boundless... without the teachings of God the world of humanity is like the animal kingdom', which anyhow `is not cap-able of apprehending them'. In fact, these teachings `are the bestowals specialized for man', `above all other source of instruction and development for man', `the basis of all civilization and progress in the history of mankind',[5] `a power above and beyond the powers of nature', `a power' that can `change this black darkness into light.'[6]

Their spiritual power -- which they bestow upon anyone who of his own free will and consciously identifies himself with those teachings -- is that force through which man can be transformed into a creature endowed with the spiritual virtues of the world of the Kingdom and capable of great spiritual attainments in the world.

LordOfGoblins

A clear and perfect mirror reflecting God.
A hollow reed channelling Gods grace to man.
A lamp of guidance unto men.

aidan

Thank you for the beautiful words however it does not in crease my understanding.perhaps it is impossible to fully comprehend

cire perdue

What do you think describes what a manifestation is?

aidan

I feel that amanifestation is a blessed being endowed with a gnosis beyond the comprehension of other human beings

LordOfGoblins

There are always things we will not be able to understand in this world. What does it even mean to be a human being let alone a manifestation of God.
I think this concept is still new in the minds of people. Only two religions ago people did not quite understand who Jesus was so they invented the trinity and made him partners with God. Likewise Muhammad clarified this saying Jesus was a messenger. Baha'u'llah brought the sun in the mirror analogy to further help in understanding and it is the best thing by far we have to date.
Think about this analogy and im sure you will get a greater understanding of what a manifestation of God is.

LordOfGoblins

In light of the confusing Christian doctrines claiming Jesus is in fact the same as God and a part of God I think it might be helpful to better understand the manifestation by considering the relationship in the opposite sense. First say they are human then move them closer to God until one cannot get any closer. THis is better than saying they are God and have come closer down to man as that is the Christian way and indeed it does not explain anything if you think about it.