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The Baha'i Faith, though no longer in seed form, is nevertheless still a young tree that has only begun to generate and yield the infinite riches concealed in its abundant scriptures - scriptures revealed in the open historical light of modern history and filled with innumerable clear and effective prescriptions for dealing with the urgent and overwhelming problems of contemporary life on the planet. The Ancient Faith of God, the Tree of Faith, renewed through the Second Coming of Christ in the Person and Revelation of Baha'u'llah, possesses a potential incomparably greater than anything it possessed at the First Coming. For the purpose and mission of the First Coming of Christ was to proclaim and prepare the world for the coming of the Kingdom of God, but the purpose and mission of the Second Coming establish that Kingdom as the mature consummation of human life on this planet. Baha'u'llah came not to prophesy, but to fulfill. The promises of both the Old Testament and those of Christ Himself are, one by one, being fulfilled through His Coming (102:2) Outwardly a prisoner and an exile, yet He addressed the kings and rulers of His time as servants, and for their disregard of His message, withdrew from them their powers and kingdoms. Since Baha'u'llah's Coming, almost every monarchy in the world has fallen: (102:3) Ye are but vassals, O kings of the earth! He Who is the King of kings hath appeared, arrayed in His most wondrous glory, and is summoning you unto Himself, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Take heed lest pride deter you from recognizing the Source of Revelation; lest the things of this world shut you out as by a veil from Him Who is the Creator of heaven. Arise, and serve Him Who is the Desire of all nations, Who hath created you through a word from Him, and ordained you to be, for all time, the emblems of His sovereignty (102:4) By the righteousness of God! It is not Our wish to lay hands on your kingdoms. Our mission is to seize and possess the hearts of men. Upon them the eyes of Baha are fastened. To this testifieth the Kingdom of Names, could ye but comprehend it. Whoso followeth his Lord, will renounce the world and all that is therein; how much greater, then, must be the detachment of Him Who holdeth so august a station! Forsake your palaces, and haste ye to gain admittance into His Kingdom. This, indeed, will profit you both in this world and in the next. To this testifieth the Lord of the realm on high, did ye but know it. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 211
(102:5)
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