How will the future unfold - A vision from the Baha'i Writings

[TransmutingSoul]

The Message of the Bab and Baha'u'llah was proclaimed in 1844 ans 1863 respectively. The purpose proclaimed in these Messages, was the fulfillment of Prophecy, of all the Holy scriptures of the past. All those scriptures in one way or another have promised a 'Day of God' when God will be known by One Name and His people will be one people.

These Messages were rejected. The Bab was executed and Baha'u'llah was imprisoned and banished to end up in Akka Israel. Baha'u'llah then wrote to all the Monarchs, Rulers, Divines and peoples of the world and told them what they must do in this age to find our Unity.

The official writings of the Faith come from the Bab, Baha'u'llah, Abdul'Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, which is located on Mt Carmel in Haifa Israel. (Seat of Universal House of Justice is middle building in OP Picture)

The purpose of this OP is to explore what was offered to Humanity after these Messages were rejected. A path to unity was offered and the results of neglecting to implement the required change, was also foretold.

I will start it with this quote where Baha'u'llah has foretold that a Unity of Nations is required to implement a Lesser Peace.

"...The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny...."

There is much about this day of God in all scriptures. Please share what you know from your scriptures' that would refer to this very day.

Regards Tony

 

[Regiomontanus]

Hello. One of the best known parts of the NT - and one of the most succinct yet most powerful - (from Matthew 6):

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

That is the hope. That is what we are called to do: to make the earth a reflection of the ideal.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

This was written in July 1954 and is unfolding in this day;

America Passing Through Crisis

"...Moreover, the country of which it forms a part is passing through a crisis which, in its spiritual,moral, social and political aspects, is of extreme seriousness a seriousness which to a superficial observer is liable to be dangerously underestimated.

The steady and alarming deterioration in the standard of morality as exemplified by the appalling increase of crime, by political corruption in ever widening and ever higher circles, by the loosening of the sacred ties of marriage, by the inordinate craving for pleasure and diversion, and by the marked and progressive slackening of parental control, is no doubt the most arresting and distressing aspect of the decline that has set in, and can be clearly perceived, in the fortunes of the entire nation. Parallel with this, and pervading all departments of life an evil which the nation, and indeed all those within the capitalist system, though to a lesser degree, share with that state and its satellites regarded as the sworn enemies of that system is the crass materialism, which lays excessive and ever increasing emphasis on material well being, forgetful of those things of the spirit on which alone a sure and stable foundation can be laid for human society. It is this same cancerous materialism, born originally in Europe, carried to excess in the North American continent, contaminating the Asiatic peoples and nations, spreading its ominous tentacles to the borders of Africa, and now invading its very heart, which Bahá’u’lláh in unequivocal and emphatic language denounced in His Writings, comparing it to a devouring flame and regarding it as the chief factor in precipitating the dire ordeals and world shaking crises that must necessarily involve the burning of cities and the spread of terror and consternation in the hearts of men. Indeed a foretaste of the devastation which this consuming fire will wreak upon the world, and with which it will lay waste the cities of the nations participating in this tragic world engulfing contest, has been afforded by the last World War, marking the second stage in the global havoc which humanity, forgetful of its God and heedless of the clear warnings uttered by His appointed Messenger for this day, must, alas, inevitably experience...." (Citadel of Faith - Shoghi Effendi)

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Hello. One of the best known parts of the NT - and one of the most succinct yet most powerful - (from Matthew 6):

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

That is the hope. That is what we are called to do: to make the earth a reflection of the ideal.

I love that passage, thank you for posting this.

To me this Kingdom will have a material unfolding in the future. Yes we must work on this urgently.

Spiritually, I see all Gods Messengers bring this Kingdom with them.

Peace be with you and regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Another consideration given to America in the early 1900's was that of race relations and the urgency to find the unity between races;

"..No less serious is the stress and strain imposed on the fabric of American society through the fundamental and persistent neglect, by the governed and governors alike, of the supreme, the inescapable and urgent duty so repeatedly and graphically represented and stressed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the social fabric of the nation of remedying, while there is yet time, through a revolutionary change in the concept and attitude of the average white American toward his Negro fellow citizen, a situation which, if allowed to drift, will, in the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, cause the streets of American cities to run with blood, aggravating thereby the havoc which the fearful weapons of destruction, raining from the air, and amassed by a ruthless, a vigilant, a powerful and inveterate enemy, will wreak upon those same cities...." (Citadel of Faith - Shoghi Effendi)

This is still an urgent matter for all Humanity.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

This is an interesting passage. This passage was written in 1939 In The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effend.

It has has given us a vision of the pattern of the future society:

“A mechanism of world inter-cornmunication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity. A world metropolis will act as the nerve center of a world civilization, the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate. . . . In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will cooperate, and will harmoniously develop. . . . The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war . . . will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development, to the increase of the productivity of mankind, . . . to the extension of scientific research, . . . to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain, to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, to the prolongation of human life, and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race.”

That sounds like a day worth working for!

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I think this aptly describes what the world is facing;

A Yawning Gulf Threatens

"… Every system, short of the unification of the human race, has been tried, repeatedly tried, and been found wanting. Wars again and again have been fought, and conferences without number have met and deliberated. Treaties, pacts and covenants have been painstakingly negotiated, concluded and revised. Systems of government have been patiently tested, have been continually recast and superseded. Economic plans of reconstruction have been carefully devised, and meticulously executed. And yet crisis has succeeded crisis, and the rapidity with which a perilously unstable world is declining has been correspondingly accelerated. A yawning gulf threatens to involve in one common disaster both the satisfied and dissatisfied nations, democracies and dictatorships, capitalists and wage-earners, Europeans and Asiatics, Jew and Gentile, white and coloured. An angry Providence, the cynic might well observe, has abandoned a hapless planet to its fate, and fixed irrevocably its doom. Sore-tried and disillusioned, humanity has no doubt lost its orientation, and would seem to have lost as well its faith and hope. It is hovering, unshepherded and visionless, on the brink of disaster. A sense of fatality seems to pervade it. An ever-deepening gloom is settling on its fortunes as she recedes further and further from the outer fringes of the darkest zone of its agitated life and penetrates its very heart." (Shoghi Effendi: The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 190)

May we find our Unity. Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

As to what we will face in the future, no person and no Baha'i can escape;

Stage of Purgation is Indispensable—Bahá’ís Should not Hope to Remain Unaffected

"… You seem to complain about the calamities that have befallen humanity. In the spiritual development of man a stage of purgation is indispensable, for it is while passing through it that the over-rated material needs are made to appear in their proper light. Unless society learns to attribute more importance to spiritual matters, it would never be fit to enter the golden era foretold by Bahá’u’lláh. The present calamities are parts of this process of purgation, through them alone will man learn his lesson. They are to teach the nations, that they have to view things internationally, they are to make the individual attribute more importance to his moral than his material welfare.

"In such a process of purgation, when all humanity is in the throes of dire suffering, the Bahá’ís should not hope to remain unaffected. Should we consider the beam that is in our own eye, we would immediately find that these sufferings are also meant for ourselves, who claimed to have attained. Such world crisis is necessary to awaken us to the importance of our duty and the carrying on of our task. Suffering will increase our energy in setting before humanity the road to salvation, it will move us from our repose for we are far from doing our best in teaching the Cause and conveying the Message with which we have been entrusted…." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer in reply to a letter dated October 14, 1931: Bahá’í News, No. 58, January 1932, p. 1)

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I would find it interesting to see if this gets a reply on this OP

Eyes of the World Focussed on Us

"… The eyes of the people of the world are beginning to be focussed on us, and as humanity's plight goes from bad to worse, we will be watched ever more intently by non-Bahá’ís, to see whether we do uphold our own institutions wholeheartedly; whether we are the people of the new creation or not; whether we live up to our beliefs, principles and laws in deed as well as word. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too exemplary." (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, August 5, 1955: Canadian Bahá’í News, Special Section, March 1973, p. 6)

So are you watching more intently?

Regards Tony

 

[paarsurrey]

View attachment 24347

The Message of the Bab and Baha'u'llah was proclaimed in 1844 ans 1863 respectively. The purpose proclaimed in these Messages, was the fulfillment of Prophecy, of all the Holy scriptures of the past. All those scriptures in one way or another have promised a 'Day of God' when God will be known by One Name and His people will be one people.

These Messages were rejected. The Bab was executed and Baha'u'llah was imprisoned and banished to end up in Akka Israel. Baha'u'llah then wrote to all the Monarchs, Rulers, Divines and peoples of the world and told them what they must do in this age to find our Unity.

The official writings of the Faith come from the Bab, Baha'u'llah, Abdul'Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, which is located on Mt Carmel in Haifa Israel. (Seat of Universal House of Justice is middle building in OP Picture)

The purpose of this OP is to explore what was offered to Humanity after these Messages were rejected. A path to unity was offered and the results of neglecting to implement the required change, was also foretold.

I will start it with this quote where Baha'u'llah has foretold that a Unity of Nations is required to implement a Lesser Peace.

"...The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny...."

There is much about this day of God in all scriptures. Please share what you know from your scriptures' that would refer to this very day.

Regards Tony

"The purpose proclaimed in these Messages, was the fulfillment of Prophecy, of all the Holy scriptures of the past." Unquote.

There is no such prophecy in Quran about Bahaullah.
I believe Bahaullah was a human being and as such a fallible human, he did not understand Quran from the context verses correctly and misrepresented such verses. His proclamations as a new religion, therefore, will have little to no effect on the humanity, please. Right, please?

Regards

 

[TransmutingSoul]

"The purpose proclaimed in these Messages, was the fulfillment of Prophecy, of all the Holy scriptures of the past." Unquote.

There is no such prophecy in Quran about Bahaullah.
I believe Bahaullah was a human being and as such a fallible human, he did not understand Quran from the context verses correctly and misrepresented such verses. His proclamations as a new religion, therefore, will have no effect on the humanity, please.

Regards

All good paarsurry. Not here to convince you, just post a point of view for all to consider.

God doeth as He Willeth.

Peace be with you always, regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can ensure the protection and security of all mankind. – Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, p. 288.

Millions of people celebrate and work diligently toward this compelling ideal, but some question the Baha’i goal of world unity as too idealistic or too potentially totalitarian; too optimistic or too radical. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith and an Oxford-educated scholar and historian, answered those questions when he outlined the Baha’i vision of the unification of humanity clearly, beautifully and succinctly in March of 1936:

The unity of the human race, as envisaged by Baha’u’llah, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded.

This commonwealth must, as far as we can visualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples.

A world executive, backed by an international Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at, and apply the laws enacted by, this world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth.

A world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system.

A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvelous swiftness and perfect regularity.

A world metropolis will act as the nerve center of a world civilization, the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate.

A world language will either be invented or chosen from among the existing languages and will be taught in the schools of all the federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue.

A world script, a world literature, a uniform and universal system of currency, of weights and measures, will simplify and facilitate intercourse and understanding among the nations and races of mankind.

In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will cooperate, and will harmoniously develop.

The press will, under such a system, while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind, cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests, whether private or public, and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peoples.
The economic resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be coordinated and developed, and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated.

National rivalries, hatreds, and intrigues will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and cooperation.

The causes of religious strife will be permanently removed, economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished, and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated.

Destitution on the one hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on the other, will disappear.

The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether economic or political, will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development, to the increase of the productivity of mankind, to the extermination of disease, to the extension of scientific research, to the raising of the standard of physical health, to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain, to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, to the prolongation of human life, and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race. – World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 203.

The Baha'i Vision of the Future

Regards Tony