BahÃĄâ•Žuâ•ŽllÃĄh and the New Era - Knowledge Rush

GovernmentThe teachings of Bahá’u’lláh contain two different types of referenceto the question of true social order. One type is exemplifiedin the tablets revealed to the Kings, which deal with the problemof government as existing in the world during Bahá’u’lláh’s lifeon earth; the other references are to the new order to be developedwithin the Bahá’í community itself.Hence arises the sharp contrast between such passages as:“The one true God, exalted be His glory, hath ever regarded,and will continue to regard, the hearts of men as His own, Hisexclusive possession. All else, whether pertaining to land or sea,whether riches or glory, He hath bequeathed unto the Kings andrulers of the earth”’ and “It beseemeth all men, in this Day, totake firm hold on the Most Great Name, and to establish theunity of all mankind. There is no place to flee to, no refuge thatany one can seek, except Him.”—Gleanings from the Writingsof Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 206, 203.The apparent incompatibility of these two views is removedwhen we observe the distinction which Bahá’u’lláh makes betweenthe “Lesser Peace” and the “Most Great Peace.” In Histablets to the Kings Bahá’u’lláh called upon them to assembleand take measures for the maintenance of political peace, thereduction of armaments and the removal of the burdens andinsecurity of the poor. But His words make it perfectly clear thattheir failure to respond to the needs of the time would result inwars and revolutions leading to the overthrow of the old order.Therefore, on the one hand He said: “What mankind needethin this day is obedience unto them that are in authority,” andon the other, “Those men who, having amassed the vanitiesand ornaments of the earth, have turned away disdainfully fromGod—these have lost both this world and the world to come.Ere long, will God, with the Hand of Power, strip them of theirpossessions, and divest them of the robe of His bounty.” “We