Davidic line: Encyclopedia II - Davidic line - Bahá'í view

Davidic line - Bahá'í view

Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Bahá'í Faith, referring to himself stated, "The Most Great Law is come, and the Ancient Beauty ruleth upon the throne of David. Thus hath My Pen spoken that which the histories of bygone ages have related."[1] In general, his followers believe him to be the Second Coming of Christ (Messiah), though for many Bahá'ís of non-Christian or non-Jewish background, this belief is not of personal interest. Many Bahá'ís see such scriptures as relevant to past revelations, and as-such as superceded by Bahá'u'lláh's own writings.

Bahá'ís among the majority and many minority groups (See Bahá'í divisions) hold diverse individual views regarding biblical interpretation. Often such interpretation is left up to the individual. The Universal House of Justice, which leads the majority group of Bahá'ís, takes no position on the matter and, therefore, members of that organization are free to hold their own personal interpretations.

The issue of David's line is of substantial importance to a sect known as Bahá'ís Under the Provisions of the Covenant (BUPC), which are distinct from members of the majority sect in their specific focus on and interpretation of Christian themes (described here), and their beliefs about Bahá'u'lláh's successors. This group holds that the Bible paints a picture of two different Messiah's from the House of David, coming in two separate personages; not the same Messiah appearing twice (Zech. 4:14). They believe Jesus of Nazereth was the first Messiah, being physically descended from the House through His adoptive father Joseph (Romans 1: 3,4), portrayed as the "Suffering Messiah" described in Isaiah Chapter 53. They believe Bahá'u'lláh is the the Reigning Messiah, seated on the Throne of David, fulfilling the prophet Isaiah's visions of this leader in Chapters 2, 9, and 11. They believe he is a direct lineal descendant of David through the Exilarch Bostanai. They claim this lineage is continued today, by means of a tradition of adoption, in the person of Neal Chase, whom they believe is the Fourth Guardian of the Cause of God.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Bahá'í view", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki