The subject of the Covenant is a very important one. It is referred to in all the Holy Books

The subject of the Covenant is a very important one. It is referred to in all the Holy Books; in the Brahmanist, in the Zoroastrian, and more clearly found in the Old and New Testament of the Gospels and of the Koran.

These Covenants referred to in the Holy Books, focalize in the great Covenant of the Bahai dispensation, namely, the Covenant witnessed by BAHA 'ULLAH in His day.

How have the Covenants become manifest in the days of BAHA 'ULLAH?

To illustrate this we will say that just as a certain tree, even before it bears its particular fruit, is known by its former fruit that it is an apple or a pear, or some other fruit, and when that special fruit appears on its branch, it witnesses thereto. Likewise the Covenants taken in former ages were identified by the one established in the great day of BAHA 'ULLAH. Hence BAHA 'ULLAH was the witness of the Covenants given in former ages by the Lord. The Center of these Covenants entered into by the people of former ages with the God of Might and Power and witnessed by BAHA 'ULLAH is the beloved Abdul-Baha. Therefore all the former statements pertaining to the Covenant including the emphatic utterances of the blessed witness, refer to the Center, namely Abdul-Baha. All references to the Testament or Covenant mean especially the Book of the Covenant.

In this His last book, the blessed BAHA 'ULLAH has covenanted with his branches (aghsan), twigs (afnan), and the relatives, as well as all the Bahais in the world, that they must turn to the One "Whom God has willed," that is the Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha.

This is the meaning of the Mystery of God, according to the terminology of the One who has given the Mystery of God, or he whom God has willed; but who, according to himself, is known as Abdul-Baha (the servant of God).

He whom God has willed is the fruit of the tree. Hence BAHA 'ULLAH is the trunk, the branches, the root, all except the fruit, which is Abdul-Baha. The coloring, the shape, the form, taste and all the attributes of the tree are in the fruit.

"Hence in the teachings of BAHA 'ULLAH the bounties of BAHA 'ULLAH, the manifestation of His power, His words, have been spread throughout the world by this great soul. The effects of His words have been realized from this great life. This is the meaning of the statement of Jesus Christ—"I shall come in the glory of my Father!"

(From Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca, pp. 31-32.)

https://bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_12/Issue_14/Text