References to "Universal Manifestation" - Baha'u'llah

Were these people, wholly for the sake of God and with no desire but His
good-pleasure, to ponder the verses of the Book in their heart, they would
of a certainty find whatsoever they seek. In its verses would they find
revealed and manifest all the things, be they great or small, that have
come to pass in this Dispensation. They would even recognize in them
references unto the departure of the Manifestations of the names and
attributes of God from out their native land; to the opposition and
disdainful arrogance of government and people; and to the dwelling and
establishment of the Universal Manifestation in an appointed and specially
designated land. No man, however, can comprehend this except he who is
possessed of an understanding heart.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 174
 

Briefly, we say a universal cycle in the world of existence signifies a long
duration of time, and innumerable and incalculable periods and epochs. In
such a cycle the Manifestations appear with splendor in the realm of the
visible, until a great and universal Manifestation makes the world the
center of his radiance. His appearance causes the world to attain to
maturity, and the extension of his cycle is very great. Afterwards other
Manifestations will arise under his shadow, who according to the needs of
the time will renew certain commandments relating to material questions and
affairs, while remaining under his shadow.

We are in the cycle which began with Adam, and its universal Manifestation
is Bahá'u'lláh.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 54
 

The meaning of this is that any individual who, before the expiry of a full
thousand years--years known and clearly established by common usage and
requiring no interpretation-- should lay claim to a Revelation direct from
God, even though he should reveal certain signs, that man is assuredly false
and an impostor.

This is not a reference to the Universal Manifestation, for it is clearly
set forth in the Holy Writings that centuries, nay thousands of years, must
pass on to completion, before a Manifestation like unto this Manifestation
shall appear again.

It is possible, however, that after the completion of a full thousand years,
certain Holy Beings will be empowered to deliver a Revelation: this,
however, will not be through a Universal Manifestation. Wherefore every day
of the cycle of the Blessed Beauty is in reality equal to one year, and
every year of it is equal to a thousand years.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 67

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