THE BAHAI and THE SIGNPOST YEARS

THREE GROUPS USE SOME ASPECTS OF SIGNPOST RECKONING THAT CHALLENGE OR CONTRADICT THE OVERALL VIEWS PROPOSED IN THE SIGNPOST YEARS. THE FIRST OF THESE CHALLENGES IS THE BAHAI FAITH.



The points to appreciate are the basic Bahai interpretations of Daniel and the conclusions they draw. It is, however, helpful to know for these notes that the Bahai faith maintains there has been a long historical succession of “manifestations” of God’s progressive truth to mankind, each suited to the era of its revealing. These included those of Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mohammed, and most recently in modern times Baha u llah, and his immediate forerunner the Bab in the year AD 1884.

Critically for the Bahai faith, the arrival year of Jesus Christ, the Bab and Baha u llah were all prophesied, centuries in advance, in the ancient Old Testament book of Daniel in chapters 8, 9 and 12. This involves Daniel’s use of the prophetic indicators of 483, 1260, 2300, and 1290 day-years.

“Although the Bible contains many references to the time of the coming of the Promised One, for the sake of simplicity and quick reference, this chapter will concern itself with only one of them. This one is the well-known prophecy found in the book of Daniel that was confirmed by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.Daniel says that from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (457 BC) to the end of the abomination of desolation, there were to be 2,300 days (Daniel 8).






According to the Bible, each day counts for a year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6). After seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (483 days), the Messiah (the anointed one) would be cut off (Daniel 9). At the end of 2,300 days, the sanctuary would be restored. From the issuing of the decree in 457 BC until the birth of Christ, there were 456 years. Subtracting 456 from 483 leaves the year 27 AD as the date of the crucifixion of Christ. Subtracting 456 from 2,300 leaves 1844 AD as the end of the abomination of desolation. The year 1844 AD is equivalent to the year the Bahai Faith began.

[The following texts are offered in support of these claims: Daniel 8:13-14, 9:25-26, 12:6-7, 11-12; Matthew 24:2-3, 15; Revelation 12:5-6]





…Now the manifestation of Christ has been proved by the prophecies of Daniel, let us prove the manifestation of Baha u llah and the Bab. Up to the present we have only mentioned rational proofs; now we shall speak of traditional proofs.In the eighth chapter of the book of Daniel, verse 13, it is said: ‘Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, “How long shall bee the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?” Then he answered (verse 14): “Unto 2,300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” (verse 17) “But he said unto me…at the time of the end shall be the vision.”


That is to say, how ling will this misfortune, this ruin, this abasement and degradation last? Meaning, when will be the dawn of the Manifestation? Then he answered, “Two thousand, three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Briefly, the purport of this passage is that he appoints 2300 years, for in the text of the Bible each day is a year.





Then, from the date of the issuing of the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem until the day of the birth of Christ until the day of the manifestation of the Bab there would be 1844 years. When you add 456 years to this number it makes 2,300 years. That is to say, the fulfilment of the vision of Daniel took place in the year AD 1844, and this is the year of the Bab’s manifestation according to the actual text of the Book of Daniel. Consider how clearly he determines the year of the manifestation; there could be no clearer prophecy for the manifestation (of the Bab in 1884 AD) than this.

In Matthew 24:3, Christ clearly says that what Daniel meant by this prophecy was the date of the manifestation (of the Bab), “The disciples came unto him privately, saying, ‘Tell us...what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?’ One of the explanations he gave them in reply was, ‘When you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place.’


In this answer, he referred them to the 8th chapter of Daniel, saying that everyone who reads it will understand that it is this time that is spoken of. Consider how clearly the manifestation of the Bab is spoken of in both the Old Testament and Gospel.




To conclude, let us now explain the date of the manifestation of the Baha u llah from the Bible. The date of the Baha u llah is calculated according to the lunar years from the Hejira of Mohammed; for in the religion of Mohammed the lunar year is in use, as also it is the lunar year which is employed concerning all commands of worship. In Daniel 12:6 it is said…“it shall be for a time, times and a half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”





…We will say briefly that each day of the Father counts as a year, and in each year there are 12 months. Thus three years and a half make 42 months - are 1260 days. The Bab, the precursor to Baha u llah, appeared in the year 1260 from the Hejira of Mohammed, by the reckoning of Islam.Afterwards, in verse 11 it is said, “And from the day that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate be set up, there shall be 1290 days. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 days.”


The beginning of this lunar reckoning is from the day of the proclamation of the prophethood of Mohammed in the country of Hijaz, and that was thee years after his mission, because in the beginning the prophethood of Mohammed was kept secret. After three years it was announced. And Baha u llah in the year 1290 from the proclamation of the mission of Muhammad, caused His manifestation to be known.”


Ref. Bible Proofs: A Fireside Aid For Teaching Christians. Compiled: Nabil I. Hanna. Kalimat Press. LA. USA. 1988. pp 29 – 36. Based on ‘Some Answered Questions’, by Abdu’l-Baha. pp 41-44, 71-72.