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Upon His return to Baghdad, Baha'u'llah was determined to regenerate the community of His followers, who had become disheartened and confused in His absence, and to reveal the Teachings He was ordained to give for this Day, Teachings which would guide mankind to the Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. The tablets and books comprising the complete Writings that convey these Teachings amount to about one hundred volumes. (1:20) Every efeort was made by the clergy, by the Shah of Persia, and by the Ottoman Emperor to oppose Baha'u'llah and His Teachings. Twenty thousand of the early followers-men, women, and children-were brutally killed. Following Baha'u'llah's exile to Baghdad, He was sent to Constantinople, then to Adrianople, and finally to the Turkish penal colony of 'Akka (now a city in northern Israel), where the authorities hoped that He and His Faith would quickly die. During His forty years of imprisonment and exile, though He was constantly persecuted, having been at times scourged, stoned, poisoned, deprived of even the barest necessities of life, He continued to manifest sacrificial love for all peoples: (1:21) We, verily, have come for your sakes, and have borne the misfortunes of the world for your salvation. (tbh 10) (1:22) So intense were His sufferings in the prison city of 'Akka that He has referred to it as the "Most Great Prison". Of the significance of His suffering, He writes: (1:23) The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye may be exalted, and have suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities! (gwb 99) (1:24) see During the nineteenth century, the vast majority of the human race lived under the rule of kings. Baha'u'llah addressed these rulers through letters that He sent to them while in exile. He proclaimed that He had been chosen by God to deliver to mankind the teachings that would unite the world: (1:25) That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.This can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician. (pob 67-68) (1:26) Through all the affliction and hardship He endured during the forty years of His ministry, in all the situations which presented to Him the real danger of losing His life, Baha'u'llah never sought to protect Himself. And no matter what the religious leaders or government authorities attempted to do, nothing could be done to stop Baha'u'llah's growing influence. Banishment after banishment failed to halt the increasing number of people who recognized His power and majesty and were attracted to His teachings. (1:27) Baha'u'llah passed away in 1892. His Shrine, which is visited by peoples from all over the world, is located near the city of 'Akka.
(1:28)
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