“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” [Rev. 12:5] This glorious son is the promised Manifestation, Who was born of the religion of God and reared in the bosom of the divine teachings. The iron rod is a symbol of might and power—it is not a sword—and means that He will shepherd all the nations of the earth by virtue of His divine might and power. And by this son is meant the Báb.
“And her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.” [Rev. 12:5] This is a prophecy concerning the Báb, Who ascended to the Kingdom, the Throne of God, and the Seat of His sovereignty. Consider how closely this conforms to what indeed came to pass.
“And the woman fled into the wilderness”; [Rev. 12:6] that is, the religion of God betook itself to the desert, meaning the vast desert of Hijáz and the Arabian Peninsula.
“Where she hath a place prepared of God”; [Rev. 12:6] that is, the Arabian Peninsula became the home, the habitation, and the focal centre of the religion of God.
“That they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days”. [Rev. 12:6] According to the terminology of the Bible, these 1,260 days mean 1,260 years, as was before explained. Thus for 1,260 years the religion of God was fostered in the vast desert of Arabia, until the Promised One appeared. After these 1,260 years that religion ceased to be in effect, for the fruit of that tree had been manifested and its result had been produced.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; published as ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
