The following is part of our series exploring the Gospels and how they relate to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah-

From the Gospel of Matthew–

When Jesus saw the vast crowds he went up the hill-side and after he had sat down his disciples came to him.Then he began his teaching by saying to them,

 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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The words above were spoken early in Jesus’ ministry, as he was teaching his community and developing the faith of his apostles. They are known as the “Beatitudes”, and are among the most famous statements ever made, and also the most beautiful.  They profoundly express the essence of the beautiful religion of Christianity.  At the time they were originally spoken, Jesus was establishing how his followers needed to be different, and steeling them for the persecution they were about to face. 

Persecution and martyrdom have been strong features of the early days of all the revelations from God.  A new revelation is the most challenging and revolutionary thing that exists, as it makes a fundamental change in everything people hold sacred. Anyone who challenges that is challenging the very root of their society. 

Each of the revelations however, have  emphasized that they are not trying to destroy the foundations of people’s belief, but to broaden their basis and update them to the needs of the present. Immediately after presenting the teachings above, Jesus made this point-

“You must not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to complete them. Indeed, I assure you that, while Heaven and earth last, the Law will not lose a single dot or comma until its purpose is complete. This means that whoever now relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men to do the same will himself be called least in Heaven. But whoever teaches and practises them will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that your goodness must be a far better thing then the goodness of the scribes and Pharisees before you can set foot in the kingdom of Heaven at all!”

Baha’u’llah’s revelation is exactly the same in relation to the revelations that have come before.  Like the early Christians, his followers, when they converted to His Faith, did not reject their original religion, but found its fulfillment.  Baha’u’llah praised the revelations of both Christ and Muhammad, and indeed all the previous revelations of God. People of Hindu and Zoroastrian background, for instance, have seen in Baha’u’llah’s teaching the fulfillment of their own religion. This is how the “changeless Faith of God” progresses, one revelation that builds on all the others. 

Just like the early Christians, since the beginning of His Revelation, Baha’is have been severely persecuted.  The Bab was executed and Baha’u’llah Himself was imprisoned for nearly 40 years. The government and the clergy of Persia conspired to search out, imprison, and frequently execute anyone who had become Baha’u’llah’s followers, even up to the present day.  Nearly all Baha’is of Iran can tell stories of family members who have suffered severe persecution and many know family members who were executed. 

Baha’u’llah Himself knew this would happen and steeled his followers for persecution, telling them-

Whatever befalleth in the path of God is the beloved of the soul and the desire of the heart. Deadly poison in His path is pure honey, and every tribulation a draught of crystal water…By Him Who is the Truth! I fear no tribulation in His path, nor any affliction in My love for Him. Verily God hath made adversity as a morning dew upon His green pasture, and a wick for His lamp which lighteth earth and heaven.

His own imprisonment was so that we can be released from our bondage of ignorance-

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. 

Despite the persecution, Baha’u’llah taught His followers to never fight back, to manifest pure hearts at all times, and demonstrate the truth through their sacrifice-

O SON OF SPIRIT! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

O SON OF MAN! For everything there is a sign. The sign of love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials. 

He taught them, like Christ taught the apostles, that they needed to be different-

“This is the Day whereon the Ocean of God’s mercy hath been manifested unto men, the Day in which the Day Star of His loving-kindness hath shed its radiance upon them, the Day in which the clouds of His bountiful favor have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now is the time to cheer and refresh the down-cast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity…They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence.”

In another passage, He says that the very breath of those who are oppressed is sweeter to God than all the treasures of the earth.

It was the spiritual power in these words, both those of Christ and Baha’u’llah, that gave people the strength to endure the persecution they face.

Over time, the truth of the revelation of God become apparent to everyone and they gradually adopt it and follow its ideals, receiving its blessing and the spiritual and social progress that results from its teachings.

Next post in series- Love of your Neighbor