The year 1844 is a pivotal moment in the Baha’i faith. For Baha’is, this year signifies the declaration of the Bab, who they believe was the forerunner of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith. While the Bible does not explicitly mention 1844, Baha’is believe that several prophecies within the scripture point to this year and the events surrounding the Bab’s declaration. In this article, we will explore how biblical prophecies are interpreted by Baha’is to indicate 1844, looking at key passages and explaining their significance within the context of Baha’i beliefs.

Prophetic Time Periods in the Bible

One of the primary ways that Baha’is find references to 1844 in the Bible is through the concept of prophetic time periods. These time periods are often symbolic and require interpretation to understand their relevance. According to Baha’i teachings, many of the time periods described in the Bible correspond to specific historical events, including the year 1844. Let’s dive into some of the most significant prophecies that Baha’is interpret as pointing to this year.

The 2300 Days of Daniel 8:14

In the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel contains a vision that mentions 2300 “days” in Daniel 8:14. The verse says, “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” To understand this, it’s important to know that in prophetic scripture, time is often symbolic. Baha’is interpret these “days” as years rather than literal days, and they apply this to the period starting from the fall of the Persian Empire in 539 BCE.

When you add 2300 years to this starting point, you arrive at the year 1844. Baha’is believe that 1844 marks the “cleansing of the sanctuary,” a symbolic event that corresponds to the declaration of the Bab. According to Baha’i teachings, the “sanctuary” refers to the spiritual state of humanity, which was renewed when the Bab declared His mission in 1844. The cleansing symbolizes the purification and preparation of the world for the coming of Baha’u’llah, the Promised One foretold in the scriptures.

The End of Time in Revelation 10:6

The Book of Revelation, which is the last book of the New Testament, is another source that Baha’is turn to when interpreting the significance of 1844. In Revelation 10:6, it states, “And sware by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”

This passage is believed by Baha’is to represent the end of a specific spiritual period. The phrase “there should be time no longer” is seen as an indication that a new spiritual era was beginning. In Baha’i belief, this marks the end of the old dispensation and the beginning of a new one, which coincides with the declaration of the Bab in 1844. For Baha’is, the Bab’s declaration in this year is the fulfillment of this prophecy, signaling the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era of spiritual guidance.

The “Second Time” in Isaiah 11:11

Another important passage in understanding the significance of 1844 is Isaiah 11:11, which says, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people…” This verse is interpreted by Baha’is as referring to the coming of the Bab. In Baha’i teachings, this is seen as the “second time” when God intervenes in the world’s affairs, following the previous interventions of prophets like Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.

The “second time” refers to the coming of a new messenger of God, and Baha’is believe that the Bab’s declaration in 1844 was the fulfillment of this prophecy. Just as previous prophets were sent to guide humanity, the Bab’s appearance is seen as the second divine intervention to prepare the world for the final revelation of Baha’u’llah.

The 1260 Days in Revelation 11:2

In another part of Revelation, the Bible mentions a period of 1260 days, which Baha’is interpret as representing years. Revelation 11:2 says, “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Forty-two months, which is equivalent to 1260 days, is seen by Baha’is as a prophetic period leading up to the year 1844.

In Baha’i interpretation, this 1260-year period begins in 1260 CE, a year that marks the time of the occultation of the Imam Mahdi in Shia Islam. This period is understood as a time of spiritual darkness, during which humanity was awaiting the coming of the Promised One. The year 1844 marks the end of this period of spiritual waiting, as it is the year that the Bab declared His mission and brought a new spiritual light to the world. This is seen as the fulfillment of the 1260-day prophecy in Revelation.

Baha’i Interpretation of Biblical Prophecies

For Baha’is, these biblical prophecies are not just historical curiosities; they represent spiritual truths that have a direct impact on humanity’s spiritual journey. The year 1844 is seen as a major turning point, not only in Baha’i history but in the history of the world. Baha’is believe that the Bab’s declaration in this year was a fulfillment of the biblical promise of the coming of a new Messenger. They see this as the moment when the world was prepared to receive the teachings of Baha’u’llah, who would later reveal the Baha’i Faith as the new spiritual message for the world.

The Baha’i view of 1844 goes beyond mere numbers and dates. It is a spiritual and symbolic fulfillment of biblical prophecies that had been waiting to come to fruition for centuries. These prophecies are not just about a single event, but about the preparation of humanity for a new age of spiritual growth and unity. For Baha’is, the year 1844 represents the opening of the doors to a new era of peace, unity, and divine guidance for all of humanity.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention the year 1844, Baha’is believe that the scriptures contain numerous prophecies that point to this significant moment in history. From the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 to the 1260 days in Revelation, these time periods, when interpreted symbolically, converge on 1844 as the year when the Bab declared His mission and the world was spiritually awakened. For Baha’is, this year represents the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, marking the beginning of a new spiritual era and the preparation for the coming of Baha’u’llah. Through these interpretations, Baha’is find a deep connection between their faith and the biblical scriptures, seeing the advent of the Bab as the fulfillment of God’s promises to humanity.

How many times in the Bible points to 1844 Baha’i? As we’ve seen, the Bible contains several references, particularly in the books of Daniel and Revelation, that Baha’is interpret as pointing to this pivotal year. These prophecies are seen as indicators of the arrival of a new spiritual era, and for Baha’is, 1844 marks the beginning of that era.