The Heavenly Decree — Page 65
The Heavenly Decree 65 sheer grace, protect you against error. Do not rely upon your own steadfastness. Can anyone be more steadfast than ‘Umara who momentarily fell into trial. Only God knows what might have happened, if His own Hand had not held him. Although I was deeply grieved at Mir ‘Abbās ‘Alī Sahib's faltering, yet even as I came in the image of the Messiahas, ', so must some of those who claim devotion and loyalty to me reflect the corresponding image of the Messiah's disciples. We all know how the Messiah's closest friends-who wined and dined with him and were praised in Divine revelations -at last disowned him. One such was Judas Iscariot⁴¹, who was so close a friend that he very often ate from same cup as the Messiahas, and professed great love for him and was blessed with the tidings of the twelfth throne in heaven. And what a venerable disciple Peter was, of whom Jesusas had said that he possessed the keys of the heaven42 wherein he could admit whom he pleased and refuse whom he pleased. But the disgraceful conduct he finally showed is apparent to the readers of the Bible. He stood before the Messiahas, pointed at him and said, I curse this man. 43 Mir Sahib has not gone to such an extreme yet. Who knows what the morrow may bring. Although Mir Sahib was fated to make this 41 Matthew 26:14-16, 47. [Publisher] 42 Matthew 16:19. [Publisher] 43 Mark 14:71. [Publisher]