"But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the ignorant."

 

Mary and Joseph with Jesus,  by Michelangelo - Sistine Chapel

The seventh Glad-Tidings

The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the ignorant.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/660604586

'Great is the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

© 2025 Chuck Egerton

The sixth Glad-Tidings

is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/875241455

"It is binding and incumbent upon the peoples of the world, one and all, to extend aid unto this momentous Cause which is come from the heaven of the Will of the ever-abiding God ..."

 

© 2025 Chuck Egerton

The fifth Glad-Tidings

In every country where any of this people reside, they must behave towards the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness.* This is that which hath been revealed at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.

It is binding and incumbent upon the peoples of the world, one and all, to extend aid unto this momentous Cause which is come from the heaven of the Will of the ever-abiding God, that perchance the fire of animosity which blazeth in the hearts of some of the peoples of the earth may, through the living waters of divine wisdom and by virtue of heavenly counsels and exhortations, be quenched, and the light of unity and concord may shine forth and shed its radiance upon the world.

We cherish the hope that through the earnest endeavours of such as are the exponents of the power of God—exalted be His glory—the weapons of war throughout the world may be converted into instruments of reconstruction and that strife and conflict may be removed from the midst of men.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/500835739

* For a deeper explanation on the Bahá'í principle of obedience to government read:
https://www.bahai.org/r/103109420

"Should any of the kings—may God aid them—arise to protect and help this oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving him."

 

© 2025 Chuck Egerton

The fourth Glad-Tidings

Should any of the kings—may God aid them—arise to protect and help this oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving him. This matter is incumbent upon everyone. Well is it with them that act accordingly.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/918591283

"It behooveth the sovereigns of the world ... to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script."

 

The third Glad-Tidings

photo by Margarete P. 

concerneth the study of divers languages. This decree hath formerly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High: It behooveth the sovereigns of the world—may God assist them—or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country. Well is it with him who hearkeneth unto His Call and observeth that whereunto he is bidden by God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/047008093

"O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship."

 

photo by Trina Ridvan

The second Glad-Tidings

It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world associate with one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Thus hath the daystar of His sanction and authority shone forth above the horizon of the decree of God, the Lord of the worlds.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/370802700

" ... the law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O people of the earth!

The first Glad-Tidings which the Mother Book hath, in this Most Great Revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven and on earth.

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/684929633