We have before explained
that what is most frequently meant by the Holy City, the Jerusalem of God,
which is mentioned in the Holy Book, is the Law of God. It is compared
sometimes to a bride, and sometimes to Jerusalem, and again to the new heaven
and earth. So in chapter 21, verses 1, 2 and 3 of the Revelation of St. John,
it is said: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and
the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and
they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their
God.”
Notice how clear and
evident it is that the first heaven and earth signify the former Law. For it is
said that the first heaven and earth have passed away and there is no more
sea — that is to say, that the earth is the place of judgment, and on this earth
of judgment there is no sea, meaning that the teachings and the Law of God will
entirely spread over the earth, and all men will enter the Cause of God, and
the earth will be completely inhabited by believers; therefore, there will be
no more sea, for the dwelling place and abode of man is the dry land. In other
words, at that epoch the field of that Law will become the pleasure-ground of
man. Such earth is solid; the feet do not slip upon it.
The Law of God is also
described as the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. It is evident that the New
Jerusalem which descends from heaven is not a city of stone, mortar, bricks,
earth and wood. It is the Law of God which descends from heaven and is called
new, for it is clear that the Jerusalem which is of stone and earth does not
descend from heaven, and that it is not renewed; but that which is renewed is
the Law of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, table talks in Akka, authenticated by
‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
