In accomplishing His mission of preparing the world for Baha’u’llah, the Bab used many beautiful and natural metaphors. One of the most powerful is the idea of a divine revelation being like a tree under which people take “spiritual” shade.  It’s a beautiful idea. If we think of Jesus or Muhammad’s revelation, for instance, and how their teachings allowed whole civilizations and their people to find spiritual rest beneath the “tree” of their teachings.  The tree gave their lives meaning, provided moral and spiritual guidance, held their family’s together, and innumerable other bounties.  

The Bab referred to His own revelation as the “Bayan”, and so He is saying in this quote that when His religion reaches its fullest development, He will bend it low in honor of the one who is to come after Him- Baha’u’llah- whom the Bab refers to as “Him Whom God shall make manifest”. 

The period of the Bab’s revelation was very short, only 19 years, something He Himself predicted. There are many references in the Bab’s Writings about how His revelation’s sole intent was to prepare for the one to come after.  The Bab sacrificed His life and that of many of His followers so that the world would be better prepared for the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.  That is why the Bab is often considered to have personified humility and sacrifice.