The Most Great Assurance

O my friend, were the bird of thy mind to explore the heavens of the Revelation of the Qur'án, were it to contemplate the realm of divine knowledge unfolded therein, thou wouldst assuredly find unnumbered doors of knowledge set open before thee. Thou wouldst certainly recognize that all these things which have in this day hindered this people from attaining the shores of the ocean of eternal grace, the same things in the Muhammadan Dispensation prevented the people of that age from recognizing that divine Luminary, and from testifying to His truth. Thou wilt also apprehend the mysteries of "return" and "revelation," and wilt securely abide within the loftiest chambers of certitude and assurance.

             (Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 147, 148 )

The Most Great Assurance

We are living in a world of doubt. At one time we knew the world was flat. That knowledge turned out to be false. We knew that the earth was the center of the universe and all other planets and stars revolved around it. False again. How many things do we know today that will be proved to be false in the future.

Then there is the issue about God. Is there a God? Can we prove that God exists? We were likely told about God when we where children, but we were also told about the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. We soon learn that reindeer don't fly and fat men don't come down chimneys, so are the stories we heard about Jesus true?

Now it is quite easy to prove the fact that there was a creator. No one believes that a house just happens by accident, or a watch found in a forest just naturally occurred there. We know that something as simple as a pencil had to have someone to make it, so how could anyone in their right mind think that something as magnificent, so huge and so intricate as the universe just happened all on its own. The fact that the universe exists proves that there must have been a superior, all powerful, intelligent being that created it. But that doesn't mean that this Omnipotent Being pays any attention to us or even cares if we live or die. For all we know we could just be an unwanted by-product of this magnificent universe.

Then comes the Revelation of God. Each of the Revealers of God's Word could be denied. It could be passed off as a crazy person who was delusional and believed that He had a connection with the Almighty God. But when you put them together it becomes too great to be passed off as mere coincidence. Are we to believe that these Holy Beings who appeared once in about every 1000 years, endured great suffering to deliver Their Message and caused revolutionary changes in the planet were just some crazy people. Then add to that the fact that thousands of martyrs gave up their lives in order to promote the Teachings of these Divine Beings. If that had occurred once we may be able to say that the advancement of society was coincidental to the ravings of a mad man, but every time a Divine Being appears there is great changes and advancement in Science, Spirituality and Social Conditions.

Even the enemies of God cannot deny the influence of the Divine Manifestations of God. Those who do not believe at all and those who hold on to a past Revelation while not accepting the latest will acknowledge the influence of the Holy Ones. Yes they will acknowledge and fear them. Otherwise why would they be doing everything in their power to stop them? Why Crucify someone if you think He is insignificant? Why persecute a crazy man? It is because these Divine Messengers where changing the society they were living in and making learned men doubt what they knew to be true.

The things we have been taught by previous generations has a powerful hold on us. When someone presents us with evidence, or even a suggestion that we might be wrong, we often get defensive. If we know that what they are saying is a lie, it will not bother us to much, but if it begins to cause us to doubt then let the fireworks begin. At this point there is only two possible courses of action. The one many people take is to do everything in their power to discredit and otherwise prove false the information that is causing them to doubt. They will intimidate, hate, fight and even kill the ones that are causing them to doubt what they have always believed to be true. The result of this action, if they succeed, will be that they are able to continue to believe a lie.

Plan two is the one I recommend. If someone causes me to doubt something I believe, I find it is time to investigate and examine my belief. Is it possible that I have been misinformed? Could it be that the sky is green when I have always believed it to be blue? Let me hear your reasoning. Why have you come to your conclusions? Let is discuss freely why each of us believes as we do and see who is right. Perhaps  we will find that truth lies somewhere between our understandings. Perhaps we will find we are both right, but are just viewing the situation from different perspectives. By consulting each other and investigating thoroughly we will both come to a greater understanding of the Truth and we will not need to kill each other.

My purpose here was to present the Most Great Assurance; The undoubtable Truth that no one can deny. I can see that, no matter how convincing the proofs or how conclusive the arguments, each of the religions on earth today could be doubted, but the cumulative effect is undeniable. The fact that the story repeats on a regular basis, that it advances at each stage and that it heals the ailments of each age proves beyond any doubt that, not only there is a God, but that there is a God who loves us and cares for us. Indeed He is a God who wants the best for His Creatures that He created in His own Image. This is the Most Great Assurance and the undeniable Truth.

The proof of the Manifestation of God

What motivates us to action? For many it is greed, or a desire for peace, security, comfort or well being. The manifestations were only motivated by the compelling force of God to do His will. They did not receive money or any earthly gain for their action. There was no comfort as they were often subject to torture, ridicule, imprisonment or exile. There was absolutely no earthly reason for them to do what they did, so their motivation had to be purely Heavenly.

In the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Bahá’u’lláh addresses the Shah of Persia in these words.

These perspicuous verses have been sent down in one of the Tablets by the Abha Pen: "Hearken, O servant, unto the voice of this Wronged One, Who hath endured grievous vexations and trials in the path of God, the Lord of all Names, until such time as He was cast into prison, in the Land of Ta (Tihran). He summoned men unto the most sublime Paradise, and yet they seized Him and paraded Him through cities and countries. How many the nights during which slumber fled from the eyes of My loved ones, because of their love for Me; and how numerous the days whereon I had to face the assaults of the peoples against Me! At one time I found Myself on the heights of mountains; at another in the depths of the prison of Ta (Tihran), in chains and fetters. By the righteousness of God! I was at all times thankful unto Him, uttering His praise, engaged in remembering Him, directed towards Him, satisfied with His pleasure, and lowly and submissive before Him.

               (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 78, 79)

This was prefaced by;

"My grief exceedeth all the woes to which Jacob gave vent, and all the afflictions of Job are but a part of My sorrows!"

               (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 77)

We see this Manifestation of God afflicted with great tribulation, yet His mandate is to manifest the Word of God for this day. How can He do that. Bahá’u’lláh cried out in the FIRE TABLET;

Thou seest Me forbidden to speak forth: Then from where will spring Thy melodies, O Nightingale of the worlds?

Now I look at my puny mission to the World and my puny difficulties and put them into perspective. How can I accomplish my mission to spread this Message of Peace to the World? I have no means. My knowledge is limited. My earning power is almost non-existent, but I am not in jail being tortured by my tormentors: At least not yet. So I continue to plod along on this divine path relying only on God as my helper. I pray that He will guide me, show me what to do and give me the right words to say.

For those who follow Christ, He has given us a sure way to recognize Him when He would return in His New Name. (and I will write upon him my new name. Rev. 3:12) He says;

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

               (Matthew 7:15 - 17)

So it is clear that a prophet that gives forth good fruit is of God. If the teachings lead us to God, compel us toward goodness and bring God’s people together, this truly is of God and no doubt can entertain our minds.

In the Gospel of John Jesus is quoted as saying;

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

               (John 10:16)

Later on He tells the Jews that were questioning Him;

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

               (New Testament, 04 – John 10:26, 27)

So it is clear that, if we want to recognize Christ we have to be familiar with His voice. When we read the quotations of His words, what do they sound like? If we hear or read other quotations that sound like these ones, should we not investigate to see if these are coming from the very same source?

To me that is it. That is the essence and the end of my argument. No more can be said.

I leave it to you and I have absolute faith that you, as one created by God, have the capacity know and recognize the Creator and the Source or His Revelation.

Introduction to The Revelation of Saint John the Divine

The Revelation of Saint John the Divine

The introduction.

Quoted from King James Version of the Bible. (Words in brackets are my thoughts)

1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

(When John wrote this down he was expecting the prophesies to be fulfilled very soon. Many were expecting the return of Christ during the same generation as when He ascended.)

1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

( This is a record of what John saw without interpretation. He did not understand the meaning of much of what he saw.)

1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

(Again the emphasis on this happening very soon.)

1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

(John addresses this to the seven Churches in Asia and says it is from himself and the seven Spirits)

1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

(He also includes Jesus Himself in the salutation. First begotten of the dead perhaps because He rose from the dead. Prince of the kings because He is the True Sovereign.  Jesus loved us so much that He offered up His life. Symbolically He died so that we could be cleansed from sin, the symbolic washing in the blood.)

1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

(We are to carry on and spread His teachings as we watch for the day of His return.)

1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

(The clouds symbolically obscure our vision. All see the light but some may be slow to recognize its source because of the clouds.

1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

(He was, He is and He shall be. Eternity is a concept we cannot grasp. Time and space are limitations of the physical world. In the spiritual we do not have such limitations. Christ, the Messiah was manifested in the physical body of Jesus, but He was much greater than that body. Christ was never limited to a single physical body. He has always existed and will always exist and He can Manifest Himself whenever and however He chooses. None have the right to question His choice. However in His kindness to us He tells us how we can know.)

From the Gospel of John we read;

10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

>>>>>>>>>> 

10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

10:30 I and my Father are one.

(The true sheep of Christ will recognize His voice wherever it comes from. They follow Him because they hear His voice. Many are the wolves in sheep’s clothing who try to lead the sheep astray, but they recognize the voice of their Lord and Saviour and the follow Him. Even though they are faced with calamity and death they will not turn away from their Lord. Even though all the earth becomes their enemy, they will gladly be slaughtered by an earthly army so they can go to their Heavenly Home. They have been given eternal life and they understand this temporary physical life is not important. They lay down their physical life with joy so they can be with the Good Shepherd.)

(In the last days (in which we are living) Christ is gathering all His sheep into One Fold. )

10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

(We are now witnessing the gathering of the sheep. People of diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions are being called by the Lord and Hear His Voice. Excitedly they tell others, and although the clouds of superstition, tradition, and false education obscure the light of the Revelation of God, once one  recognizes the source of the Light and Hears the Voice of the Lord, he or she cannot go back but must remain a part of that Great and Glorious Sheepfold.)

What is a Baha'i?

What is a Baha’i?

Stated simply a Baha’i is one who believes that Bahá’u’lláh was the latest messenger or Manifestation of God.

Baha’is understand that God has given us laws and guidance to improve our life. These laws are a great gift from God.

In the Baha’i Faith there is no clergy and no rituals. Obedience to the laws is left up to the individual. Only if disobedience is directly harming the Faith will the administration step in to correct the situation.

Central Figures and chain of authority:

Unity is the most important principle of the Baha’i Faith. Bahá’u’lláh has initiated laws to prevent the Baha’i Faith from splitting into sects. Whenever differences arise, there is an authority that can settle the question. Individual thinking and initiative is encouraged. The administration only becomes involved when someone insists that their way is the only way or if they try to undermine the authority of the administration.

The Báb

The Báb is a title meaning the gate. He founded an independent religion. His main purpose was to prepare the way for Bahá’u’lláh.

Bahá’u’lláh, The Glory of God

The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are often referred to as the Twin Manifestations. They each brought a revelation direct from God.

Bahá’u’lláh says:

The essence of belief in Divine unity consisteth in regarding Him Who is the Manifestation of God and Him Who is the invisible, the inaccessible, the unknowable Essence as one and the same. By this is meant that whatever pertaineth to the former, all His acts and doings, whatever He ordaineth or forbiddeth, should be considered, in all their aspects, and under all circumstances, and without any reservation, as identical with the Will of God Himself. This is the loftiest station to which a true believer in the unity of God can ever hope to attain. Blessed is the man that reacheth this station, and is of them that are steadfast in their belief.

               (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 166)

Baha’is believe that all the Manifestations of God brought the authoritative Revelation of God. It is as though God is directly talking to us through His Manifestations. When His followers adhere to the principles set down by any of the Manifestations, there can be no disagreement. Differences occur only when man introduces his own ideas and undermines the Religion of God.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says;

The third teaching of Bahá'u'lláh is that religion must be the source of fellowship, the cause of unity and the nearness of God to man. If it rouses hatred and strife, it is evident that absence of religion is preferable and an irreligious man better than one who professes it. According to the divine Will and intention religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind, for it is a message of peace and goodwill to man from God.

         (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 181)

Bahá’u’lláh appointed His Son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of His covenant and the One to which all should turn when He ascended from this earthly plain. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the only one authorized to interpret the Words of His Father. Thus the unity of the Cause of God was assured.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá appointed His grandson, Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Faith. He was the authority to which all Baha’is turned when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left this earthly plain.

Bahá’u’lláh also laid out the plans for the Universal House of Justice to be elected by the Baha’is when the Cause of God had grown enough to support it. In 1963 the first Universal House of Justice was elected. It is now the authority to which all Baha’i turn and its guidance is considered infallible.

There are also Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Spiritual Assemblies that will one day be known as Local Houses of Justice and National Houses of Justice. Although not considered infallible these institutions are to be obeyed. Again, Unity is the key word. We are told that obedience, even if in error is better than disobedience. Since all is in unity the wrong will be made right and the error will be corrected. However disobedience would lead to disunity and would lead to a thousand wrongs even if the one being disobedient was in the right.

A constant flow of guidance comes from all levels of our administration. It is in the form of love and guidance to help us adhere to the principles laid down by Bahá’u’lláh. We must remember that love and unity are the most important and all measures are used to avoid or remove estrangement. All mankind are considered the members of one family, the flowers of one garden, and the fruits of one tree. The Baha’i see diversity of thought, culture, social standing, and race as a beautiful thing that adds to the colour and structure of our garden. A garden with flowers that were all the same kind and same colour would be monotonous. By using various forms and colours we add charm and beauty to the garden. Differences are celebrated, not avoided. But all the differences contribute to a unified whole that makes up the family of mankind. It is like parts of a body. We may think the brain is important, but if the body was all brain it could not function. The body needs a heart, lungs, feet, hands and many other parts to function properly. When all these parts work together as a unified whole, the body excels.

If you would like to know more about Bahá’u’lláh, His teachings or any other aspect of the Baha’i Faith I would be most happy to discuss them with you. My knowledge is not one hundred percent so many times we will need to learn together. There are many resources available through internet, books and Study Circles. There are also devotional gatherings that you could attend, or you can host one of your own. There are many Baha’i who like to do home visits and would love an opportunity to visit with you and answer any questions you may have. For more information email me at george@sowingpeace.ca . I will do my best to put you in touch with Baha'is in your area. You can also check out http://www.sowingpeace.ca/links.html for links to some great resources.

If you now agree that Bahá’u’lláh is the messenger of God for this day, then you are welcome to join us. There is a short registration process just so we can keep track of you and be sure to send you news and invite you to events for the Baha’i. For instance, every 19 days the Baha’i community holds a Feast were the members of the community can consult with the Local Spiritual Assembly, make recommendations and receive guidance. As a member of the Baha’i Community you would be expected to participate in any way you feel comfortable.

Don’t worry if you feel you don’t know enough. None of us do. We are all learning together. That is why your input would be most valuable to us. It is like each of us has a piece of the puzzle and together we can complete it.

Since we have no clergy, each Baha’i is expected to teach the Faith. Again, don’t worry if you feel you don’t know enough. We are assured of the guidance of the Divine Concourse if we make the effort, plus you can call on other Baha’is to help. Teaching in the Baha’i Faith is different from the way teaching is usually perceived. In the Baha’i Faith we don’t have teachers who are considered learned while their students are considered ignorant. It is more like we are all students and we are all teachers. All of us have something to offer and all of us have something to learn. When we teach the Faith to others it is one of the greatest ways we can learn for ourselves. Of course we also need to study the writings on our own so we can answer questions. In fact we are expected to read something from the writings of the Baha’i Faith twice a day. Bahá’u’lláh says;

Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom.

        (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 295)

When we read the verses of God aloud, even though it is in the privacy of our own room, it will have a far reaching effect and will affect our own souls.

Also Baha’is are required to pray every day.

There are three obligatory prayers. We can choose any one of the three. They can be found in many of the Baha’i Prayer Books.

The short obligatory prayer, if chosen, is to be said once a day between Noon and Sunset. When we wish to recite this prayer we perform our ablutions, (the washing of our hands and face) and turn to the Qiblih, (the resting spot of Bahá’u’lláh which from Canada is to the East) and we say:

I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth.

There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

In order to enrol in the Baha'i Community we just need to get a little information from you.  The enrolments process may be slightly different in different parts of the world, so if you email me george@sowingpeace.ca I will do my best to put you in touch with Baha'is in your area if you don't know any already. Feel free also to email me if you have any questions or suggestions.  You may also post a comment on this blog.

Basic Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh, the Sun of Truth, has dawned from the horizon of the Orient, flooding all regions with the light and life which will never pass away. His teachings, which embody the divine spirit of the age and are applicable to this period of maturity in the life of the human world, are:

 The oneness of the world of humanity

 The protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit

 The foundation of all religion is one

 Religion must be the cause of unity

 Religion must accord with science and reason

 Independent investigation of truth

 Equality between men and women

 The abandoning of all prejudices among mankind

 Universal peace

 Universal education

 A universal language

 Solution of the economic problem

 An international tribunal.

Intro to the Baha'i Faith

The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith.

Bahá’u’lláh says, “The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity.”          ^{(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 215)}

Bahá’ís are the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, Who they believe is the Promised One of all Ages.

Throughout the world, people of all religions are looking for the coming of one who will unite the world. For example Jesus said; “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” ^{(John 10:16)}

We believe that the promised hour has come and that Bahá’u’lláh is the great Personage Whose Teachings will enable humanity to build a new world order. He is the Voice of Christ returned to gather His sheep into One Fold.

the creation thereof is without beginning and without end

Subject: the creation thereof is without beginning and without end

26 October 1912, Talk at Assembly Hall, Hotel Sacramento, Sacramento, California

Notes by Bijou Straun

 

I have visited your Capitol and its gardens. No other Capitol has such beautiful surroundings. Just as it is imposing and distinguished above all others, so may the people of California become the most exalted and perfect altruists of the world. California is, indeed, a blessed country. The climate is temperate, the sun ever shining, the fruits abundant and delicious. All outer blessings are evident here. The Californians are a noble people; therefore, I hope they may make extraordinary progress and become renowned for their virtues.

 

The issue of paramount importance in the world today is international peace. The European continent is like an arsenal, a storehouse of explosives ready for ignition, and one spark will set the whole of Europe aflame, particularly at this time when the Balkan question is before the world. Even now war is raging furiously in some places, the blood of innocent people is being shed, children are made captive, women are left without support, and homes are being destroyed. Therefore, the greatest need in the world today is international peace. The time is ripe. It is time for the abolition of warfare, the unification of nations and governments. It is the time for love. It is time for cementing together the East and the West.

 

Inasmuch as the Californians seem peace loving and possessed of great worthiness and capacity, I hope that advocates of peace may daily increase among them until the whole population shall stand for that beneficent outcome. May the men of affairs in this democracy uphold the standard of international conciliation. Then may altruistic aims and thoughts radiate from this center toward all other regions of the earth, and may the glory of this accomplishment forever halo the history of this country. May the first flag of international peace be upraised in this state. May the first illumination of reality shine gloriously upon this soil. May this center and capital become distinguished in all degrees of accomplishment, for the virtues of humanity and the possibilities of human advancement are boundless. There is no end to them, and whatever be the degree to which humanity may attain, there are always degrees beyond. There is no attainment in the contingent realm of which it may be said, "Beyond this state of being and perfection there is no other," or "This has achieved the superlative degree." No matter how perfect it may appear, there is always a greater degree of attainment to be reached. Therefore, no matter how much humanity may advance, there are ever higher stations to be attained because virtues are unlimited. There is a consummation for everything except virtues, and although this country has achieved extraordinary progress, I hope that its attainment may be immeasurably greater, for the divine bounties are infinite and unlimited.

 

There are some who believe that the divine bounties are subject to cessation. For example, they think that the revelation of God, the effulgence of God and the bounties of God have ended. This is self-evidently a mistaken idea, for none of these is subject to termination. The reality of Divinity is like unto the sun, and revelation is like unto the rays thereof. If we should assert that the bounties of God are not everlasting, we are forced to believe that Divinity can come to an end, whereas the reality of Divinity enfolds all virtues and by reason of these bounties is perfect. Were it not possessed of all these perfections or virtues, it could not be Divinity. The sun is the sun because of its rays, light and heat. If it could be dispossessed of them, it would not be the sun. Therefore, if we say that the divinity or sovereignty of God is accidental and subject to termination, we must perforce think that Divinity itself is accidental, without foundation and not essential.

 

God is the Creator. The word creator presupposes or connotes creation. God is the Provider. The word provider implies recipients of provision. Another name for the Creator is the Resuscitator, which demands the existence of creatures to be resuscitated. If He be not the Provider, how could we conceive of creatures to receive His bounty? If He be not the Lord, how could we conceive of subjects? If He be not the Knower, how could we conceive of those known? If we should say that there was a time in past ages when God was not possessed of His creation or that there was a beginning for the world, it would be a denial of creation and the Creator. Or if we should declare that a time may come when there will be a cessation of divine bounties, we should virtually deny the existence of Divinity. It is as though man should conceive of a king without country, army, treasury and all that constitutes sovereignty or kingdom. Is it possible to conceive of such a sovereign? A king must be possessed of a dominion, an army and all that appertains to sovereignty in order that his sovereignty may be a reality. It is even so with the reality of Divinity which enfolds all virtues. The sovereignty thereof is everlasting, and the creation thereof is without beginning and without end.

 

Among the bounties of God is revelation. Hence revelation is progressive and continuous. It never ceases. It is necessary that the reality of Divinity with all its perfections and attributes should become resplendent in the human world. The reality of Divinity is like an endless ocean. Revelation may be likened to the rain. Can you imagine the cessation of rain? Ever on the face of the earth somewhere rain is pouring down. Briefly, the world of existence is progressive. It is subject to development and growth. Consider how great has been the progress in this radiant century. Civilization has unfolded. Nations have developed. Industrialism and jurisprudence have expanded. Sciences, inventions and discoveries have increased. All of these show that the world of existence is continuously progressing and developing; and therefore, assuredly, the virtues characterizing the maturity of man must, likewise, expand and grow.

 

The greatest bestowal of God to man is the capacity to attain human virtues. Therefore, the teachings of religion must be reformed and renewed because past teachings are not suitable for the present time. For example, the sciences of bygone centuries are not adequate for the present because sciences have undergone reform. The industrialism of the past will not ensure present efficiency because industrialism has advanced. The laws of the past are being superseded because they are not applicable to this time. All material conditions pertaining to the world of humanity have undergone reform, have achieved development, and the institutes of the past are not to be compared with those of this age. The laws and institutes of former governments cannot be current today, for legislation must be in conformity with the needs and requirements of the body politic at this time.

 

This has been the case also with the religious teachings so long set forth in the temples and churches, because they were not based upon the fundamental principles of the religions of God. In other words, the foundation of the divine religions had become obscured and nonessentials of form and ceremony were adhered to -- that is, the kernel of religion had apparently disappeared, and only the shell remained. Consequently, it was necessary that the fundamental basis of all religious teaching should be restored, that the Sun of Reality which had set should rise again, that the springtime which had refreshed the arena of life in ages gone by should appear anew, that the rain which had ceased should descend, that the breezes which had become stilled should blow once more.

 

Therefore, Bahá'u'lláh appeared from the horizon of the Orient and reestablished the essential foundation of the religious teachings of the world. The worn-out traditional beliefs current among men were removed. He caused fellowship and agreement to exist between the representatives of varying denominations so that love became manifest among the contending religions. He created a condition of harmony among hostile sects and upheld the banner of the oneness of the world of humanity. He established the foundation for international peace, caused the hearts of nations to be cemented together and conferred new life upon the various peoples of the East. Among those who have followed the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh no one says, "I am a Persian," "I am a Turk," "I am a Frenchman," or "I am an Englishman." No one says, "I am a Muslim, upholding the only true religion," "I am a Christian, loyal to my traditional and inherited beliefs," "I am a Jew, following talmudic interpretations," or "I am a Zoroastrian and opposed to all other religions." On the contrary, all have been rescued from religious, racial, political and patriotic prejudices and are now associating in fellowship and love to the extent that if you should attend one of their meetings you would be unable to observe any distinction between Christian and Muslim, Jew and Zoroastrian, Persian and Turk, Arab and European; for their meetings are based upon the essential foundations of religion, and real unity has been established among them. Former antagonisms have passed away; the centuries of sectarian hatred are ended; the period of aversion has gone by; the medieval conditions of ignorance have ceased to exist.

 

Verily, the century of radiance has dawned, minds are advancing, perceptions are broadening, realizations of human possibilities are becoming universal, susceptibilities are developing, the discovery of realities is progressing. Therefore, it is necessary that we should cast aside all the prejudices of ignorance, discard superannuated beliefs in traditions of past ages and raise aloft the banner of international agreement. Let us cooperate in love and through spiritual reciprocity enjoy eternal happiness and peace.  

               ('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 376 - 380)

 

Thanks
George McNeish
DR DISCOUNT & WHOLESALE
639 Nelson St (at Adelaide)
London, ON
N5Z 1J6

http://www.drdiscount.ca
email: wholesale@drdiscount.ca
519-850-6651

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