Thou didst ask as to the transfiguration of
Jesus, with Moses and Elias and the Heavenly Father on Mount Tabor, as referred
to in the Bible. This occurrence was perceived by the disciples with their
inner eye, wherefore it was a secret hidden away, and was a spiritual discovery
of theirs. Otherwise, if the intent be that they witnessed physical forms, that
is, witnessed that transfiguration with their outward eyes, then there were
many others at hand on that plain and mountain, and why did they fail to behold
it? And why did the Lord charge them that they should tell no man? It is clear
that this was a spiritual vision and a scene of the Kingdom. Wherefore did the
Messiah bid them to keep this hidden, ‘till the Son of Man were risen from the
dead,’ [Matthew 17:1–19; Mark 9:2–9; Luke 9:28–36] —that is,
until the Cause of God should be exalted, and the Word of God prevail, and the
reality of Christ rise up.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
